Have you ever blocked someone on Instagram in the moment—only to realize later that you actually miss their posts, their messages, or maybe even their stories? This isn’t an uncommon practice because there can be plenty of reasons you might want to block someone: misunderstandings, boundaries, just needing a little space. The catch? “Well, if you both happen to be blockers on Instagram, there’s actually a slightly different procedure than the standard ‘Unblock’ option.”
As someone who has advised many individuals on digital communication strategies (and has had my own Instagram faux pas), the best way to regain connection from the platform isn’t only about clicking a button—it’s learning the functionality of the Instagram block system and being sure you’re linked properly.
Okay, so let’s walk through the specifics of unblocking each other and getting back to following and dm’ing each other again.
A Look at the Mechanics of Instagram Blocking
Knowing the “why” before the “how” can save you from lots of frustrations.
When you block someone on Instagram:
- You will no longer be each other’s followers.
- None of you can search for and access each other’s profiles.
- All previous DMs disappear from both inboxes.
And the best part? In case both of you are blocking each other, neither of you can find the other’s profile and unblock them. In essence, you do not exist to each other.
In my experience maintaining online profiles for artists and small businesses, the typical assumption a person makes is that you can “go to their profile and tap unblock“–but this isn’t possible if you can’t even find their profile.
Step-by-Step: How to Unblock Someone/Friend on Instagram
1. One Must Unblock Him/Her Too
To mutually unfollow each other, one of you must make the first move. This will require you to:
- Go to settings.
- Go to Privacy > Blocked Accounts.
- Find the username and click Unblock.
Pro-tip from experience: If you can’t see their account name in the list of blocked users, the reason might be that you already changed the name of your own Instagram account when youBlocked them. In this case, you can ask them to first unblock you from their list ofBlocked users.
2. Search Via Direct Link
In case you are finding it difficult to identify the username of the website you wish to access:
- Open a browser and type: https://instagram.com/username
- Replace “username” with their actual handle.
- If the page comes up saying “User Not Found,” you are probably still being blocked.
- If their profile comes up, you can log in and unblock them from there.
In this method, the Instagram online version is used to fetch profiles—a trick which will often overcome the restrictions of the Instagram app’s search functionality.
3. Make Sure Your Instagram Is Connected Correctly
Here’s the part of the story that often doesn’t get mentioned: “If you had temporarily disabled access to your Instagram account or disconnected the account from the device’s authentication method when unblocking failed, unblocking
To reconnect your Instagram account:
- Go to the Settings of Instagram.
- Tap Account → Linked accounts.
- Make sure that your current email address and phone number are entered correctly.
- If you are using the Facebook login option, ensure you are connected.
What’s the relevance? The reason behind this is that the updated version of Instagram’s backend will utilize credentials to confirm modifications, as well as unblock and block actions. An incompatible credential connection might trigger problems.
4. Mutual Follow-
When the first person has unblocked the other person, the latter must:
- Look up the profile (which should be available at this point).
- Tap Unblock from their side.
In this situation, you are able to send another following request and begin communicating again.
A Personal Experience: My “Double Block” Story
One of the most unexpected lessons from using Instagram came from managing an influencer account for a client. They had a slight dispute with another influencer and both of them clicked the “Block” button. Later when they wanted to work together, they could not find each other.
The first method of trying was the obvious one: “search the profile” – nothing. Later, it came to my attention that it takes one person to unblock before anything can happen. We coordinated unblockings in order, linked the accounts – and of course, their collab ended up going viral.
Lesson Learned: On Instagram, the best way to get around a two-way block is a wall of patience.
Common Misconceptions about Unblocking
- “Instagram Will Notify Them When I Unblock”
That’s wrong. Instagram will not send a notice about unblocking. They will notice when you follow them again. - “You Can Unblock Through DMs”
As aBlocked user, the messages you send through the direct messaging service are erased—the conversation expire: no history exists. - “Third-Party Apps Make It Easier”
In fact, the usage of unofficial applications can be against the rules of Instagram and can also affect the security of your account. It’s always best to unblock through the official Instagram method.
Risks & Drawbacks You Must Be Aware of
Although reconnecting itself may appear innocuous, be ready for:
- “Emotional Baggage”
- “Old Reasons to Block”
- “Old reasons to Spam/Harassment”: If the reason behind the block was spamming/harassment, unblocking will turn the communication back on
- Privacy changes: They will be able to see your posts and stories again.
Quick Checklist: Blocking Each Other on Instagram
- A One unblocks through: Settings → Privacy → Blocked Accounts.
- If profiles are difficult to obtain, employ the direct link method.
- Make sure the Instagram account is connected and authenticated.
- Second person unblocks when they can see the profile.
- Send friend requests to reconnect.
Conclusion
Unswooning each other from Instagram isn’t just clicking a button—it involves coordination and understanding the concept of account linking. Whether it’s a friend, business associate, or even someone you wish you saw in the newsfeed regularly, this will teach you how to unblock them safely.
Links Up? Start the day off right and log in to Instagram to check who you’ve unfollowed. You might just rekindle a friendship, or spark the next big collab.