How to Unfriend on Facebook: A Simple Guide to Removing Friends

Unfriend on Facebook: It’s a simple process, but sometimes it’s not easy to decide when or why to do it. Whether you’ve grown apart from someone or just want to clean up your friends list, unfriending on Facebook helps you maintain control over who can see your posts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to unfriend on Facebook, whether you’re using the app or your computer.
Unfriending on Facebook is different from blocking someone. When you unfriend someone, they won’t be able to see your posts in their feed anymore, and you won’t see theirs. However, if you still want to remain friends but just need a break from their updates, you can choose to unfollow them instead. Let’s explore the simple steps to unfriend on Facebook.
Why You Might Want to Unfriend on Facebook
When you unfriend on Facebook, you take control of your social circle online. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to clean up your Facebook friends list for better privacy, or maybe you just don’t feel connected to certain people anymore. Unfriending on Facebook means that you will no longer see their posts, and they won’t see yours either.
Here are some common reasons people choose to unfriend on Facebook:
- Unwanted posts: If someone posts things you don’t like or agree with.
- Privacy concerns: You may want to remove people you no longer trust.
- Growing apart: Friendships change, and sometimes it’s just time to move on.
Unfriending doesn’t mean you’re blocking someone or being rude; it’s just a way to keep your online space comfortable and relevant to your life. Let’s take a look at how you can unfriend on Facebook in just a few simple steps.
How to Unfriend on Facebook Using the Mobile App

Unfriending on Facebook is easy to do through the mobile app. Whether you’re on an iPhone or Android, you can follow these steps to unfriend someone:
- Open the Facebook app: Tap the blue icon with a white “f” to launch the app.
- Find the person you want to unfriend: Use the search bar to type in their name, then go to their profile.
- Tap the Friends button: This is the person-shaped icon under their profile picture.
- Select “Unfriend”: A menu will pop up where you can tap “Unfriend” to remove them.
Once you confirm, they’ll no longer be your friend on Facebook. It’s that simple!
Step-by-Step Guide: Unfriend on Facebook from Your Computer
Unfriending on Facebook is just as easy when you’re using a computer. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to Facebook’s website: Open your preferred browser and visit www.facebook.com.
- Search for the person you want to unfriend: Type their name in the search bar, and click on their profile.
- Click the “Friends” button: It’s located at the top right of their cover photo.
- Select “Unfriend”: From the drop-down menu, click “Unfriend,” and that’s it.
When you unfriend someone on Facebook, their updates won’t appear in your feed anymore. You’re free to keep your online space clean and comfortable.
What Happens When You Unfriend on Facebook?
Unfriending on Facebook removes someone from your friends list, but it doesn’t block them. Here’s what happens when you unfriend:
- No more updates: You won’t see their posts or activities in your newsfeed.
- No mutual friends: Your mutual friends will still be able to see them, but you won’t be connected.
- They can still send messages: Unless you block them, they can still send you messages or tag you in posts.
Unfriending doesn’t erase your history with someone, but it simply stops their updates from showing up in your feed.
Unfriend on Facebook vs. Block: What’s the Difference?
When deciding to unfriend someone on Facebook, it’s important to understand the difference between unfriending and blocking. Here’s how they differ:
- Unfriend: Removes the person from your friend list, but they can still see your public posts and interact with you in other ways.
- Block: Completely stops someone from seeing your profile, posts, or sending you messages. It’s a stronger action than unfriending.
If you just want to stop seeing someone’s updates but don’t mind them still being able to view your public content, unfriend on Facebook might be enough. But if you want full privacy and no contact, blocking might be the better option.
How to Unfollow Instead of Unfriend on Facebook

If you don’t want to completely remove someone as a friend but still need a break from their posts, you can choose to unfollow them. Unfollowing stops their updates from appearing in your news feed without actually removing them from your friends list.
Here’s how to unfollow someone:
- Go to their profile: Find the person’s profile by using the search bar.
- Click the “Following” button: This button is located under their profile picture.
- Select “Unfollow”: You will no longer see their posts in your feed, but you remain friends.
Unfollowing is a great option if you still want to stay connected without dealing with constant updates.
What to Do After You Unfriend Someone on Facebook
Once you’ve decided to unfriend on Facebook, there are a few things you might want to consider doing next to manage your online presence:
- Review your privacy settings: Make sure your posts are shared only with the people you want to see them.
- Check for mutual friends: You might want to check if you still have any mutual connections with the person you unfriended.
- Reevaluate your friends list regularly: Periodically go through your friends list to see if there are others you no longer connect with.
Cleaning up your friends list helps you maintain control over your online experience.
Conclusion:
Unfriending on Facebook is a quick and easy way to manage your friends list and control who can see your posts. Whether you’re using the mobile app or the website, the steps are simple, and it can help you maintain a positive online experience. Just remember, if you don’t want to completely cut off someone but still want a break from their updates, you can always choose to unfollow them instead.
In the end, it’s all about keeping your Facebook feed clean and comfortable. Unfriending doesn’t have to be a dramatic decision, and it’s a tool you can use whenever you feel like your social circle needs a little cleanup. Always consider your privacy settings and how you want to manage your online connections, and your Facebook experience will stay smooth.
FAQs
A: When you unfriend someone on Facebook, they will no longer see your posts, and you won’t see theirs. But they can still message you if you’re not blocking them.
A: Yes, when you unfriend someone on Facebook, they won’t be notified. However, they might notice you’re no longer friends if they try to visit your profile.
A: Open the Facebook app, go to their profile, tap the “Friends” button, and choose “Unfriend.” It’s a quick and easy process!
A: Yes, if you want to completely stop someone from contacting you, you can block them even after you’ve unfriended them.
A: Unfriending removes someone from your friends list, while unfollowing stops their posts from showing up in your feed, but you stay friends.