Facebook has become one of the most widely used social media platforms across the globe. While connecting with others is easier than ever, some situations may call for setting boundaries. If you’ve ever wanted to limit interactions with a specific person without fully unfriending or blocking them, Facebook offers a helpful feature known as the Restricted List. This guide will walk you through how to restrict someone on Facebook—step-by-step—so that you can better manage your privacy and social interactions.

What Does “Restricting” Someone on Facebook Mean?

Restricting someone on Facebook allows you to limit the amount of your content they can see. When someone is added to your Restricted List, they will only be able to see the content you share publicly or posts where they are specifically tagged. The good news? They won’t be notified that they’ve been restricted. Your online social dynamics stay intact, but with a bit more control on your end.

Why You Might Want to Restrict Someone

There are several reasons you might consider restricting someone instead of unfriending or blocking them:

  • You want to avoid drama: Removing or blocking a friend might cause unnecessary tension in your social or professional circle.
  • You’re connected professionally: You may want to hide your personal posts from coworkers or clients.
  • You want privacy: You may just prefer certain people not to see certain life updates or opinions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restricting Someone on Facebook

Method 1: Using Facebook on Desktop

  1. Log into your Facebook account: Open your preferred web browser and go to Facebook.com.
  2. Search for the person: Use the search bar at the top to enter the name of the person you want to restrict.
  3. Go to their profile: Click on the person’s name to open their Facebook profile.
  4. Click on the “Friends” button: This button is located near the top of their profile, usually next to the “Message” button.
  5. Select “Edit Friend List”: A small drop-down menu will appear. Click on “Edit Friend List.”
  6. Choose “Restricted”: From the list of friend categories, scroll to find and check the box next to “Restricted.”
  7. Exit the menu: You can now close the menu—the changes are saved automatically.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully added someone to your Restricted List on Facebook using the desktop version.

Method 2: Using Facebook on Mobile (iOS/Android)

  1. Open the Facebook app: Tap the Facebook app icon on your smartphone.
  2. Search for the person: Use the magnifying glass icon to search for the person you’d like to restrict.
  3. Visit their profile: Tap on their name to open their profile page.
  4. Tap the “Friends” button: This is located underneath their profile picture.
  5. Select “Edit Friend List” or “Edit Friend Settings”: The interface may vary slightly between iOS and Android, but you should see an option for managing the friend list.
  6. Enable “Restricted”: Tap the “Restricted” option to add the person to the list.
  7. Confirmation: Return to the previous screen. Your updates are saved automatically.

This mobile method is particularly useful for managing your social feed while on the go.

How to Know If Someone Is Restricted

You might be wondering if there’s a way to check who you’ve added to your Restricted List. Fortunately, Facebook allows you to review and edit this list easily. Here’s how:

On Desktop:

  1. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner to open the menu.
  2. Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  3. From the left sidebar, click Privacy.
  4. Then select Blocking.
  5. Scroll down to the Restricted List section to view who you’ve restricted.

On Mobile:

  1. Go to the menu (three lines or your profile picture).
  2. Tap Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  3. Under Audience and visibility, select Blocking.
  4. Tap Restricted to view the full list.

What Happens When You Restrict Someone?

Still curious about what exactly happens when someone is restricted?

  • They can still message you: Restricting doesn’t cut off Messenger communication.
  • They remain on your Friends List: Nothing changes visibly from their end.
  • They only see public posts: They can no longer view posts limited to only your friends or specific lists.
  • No alerts are sent out: Restricting is a silent action. The person won’t receive any notification.

How to Unrestrict Someone

If you change your mind and want to remove someone from the Restricted List, follow these steps:

On Desktop:

  1. Visit the person’s profile.
  2. Click the “Friends” button on their profile.
  3. Select “Edit Friend List.”
  4. Uncheck “Restricted.”

On Mobile:

  1. Navigate to the person’s profile.
  2. Tap the “Friends” button.
  3. Go to “Edit Friend List,” then uncheck “Restricted.”

Alternative Privacy Options

Not sure restricting is the right option for your specific case? Facebook offers several other privacy tools besides the Restricted List:

  • Custom Audience: When making a post, you can manually select who sees it via the “Friends Except…” option.
  • Close Friends List: Highlight important people to see more of their updates in your feed.
  • Blocking: Completely removes someone from your Facebook sphere, including Messenger functionality.

Tips and Best Practices

Here are a few tips to consider when using the Restricted List feature:

  • Combine strategies: Mix restricted lists with custom post visibility options for greater control.
  • Review your audience: Before posting, double-check who can see your content.
  • Stay discreet: Since restricted users don’t get notifications, this is a tactful way to manage boundaries.

Conclusion

Managing your digital relationships is essential in today’s connected world. With Facebook’s Restricted List feature, you can take control of who sees your content—without causing unnecessary friction. Whether you’re dealing with nosy coworkers, distant relatives, or acquaintances you’d rather keep at arm’s length, restricting offers a subtle yet effective solution.

As Facebook continues to evolve with new features and settings, learning how to navigate your privacy controls will help you make the most of your interactions. Use this step-by-step guide as your go-to reference whenever you want to create healthier boundaries online.