How to Ignore and Undo ignore Messages on Messenger

How to ignore and undo ignore messages on Messenger? Facebook introduced the ignoring conversations features on its Messenger platform a couple of years ago. The feature is great and good enough to get rid of someone without any hassle/complications.

You can easily stop people from bothering you on Facebook Messenger with ease now. This feature is amazing, and I am going to explain why. It’s when you are sick of someone’s messages and the situation is like you can not (don’t want to) block him/her. Also, you don’t want to notify someone and get rid of them. That is exactly where the ignore messages feature comes in handy. So ignore their messages and stay relaxed (the video guide is available below).

Important Note: The Ignore Message option is replaced with Restrict. However, the Restrict feature works almost the same as Ignore.

What Happens When You Ignore a Conversation on Messenger?

When you ignore someone or someone’s messages, Messenger moves those messages to “Message Request”. You will not get a single notification from that conversation in the future. You can still read those messages by getting into the filtered messages section under “Message Requests”. Thus that person will not know and see any read receipt next to those messages. I think the feature is also available on Facebook Lite. Hey, do you know the difference between Facebook and Facebook lite apps?

For example, I have ignored a conversation between me and you. You will not be notified that I have ignored this conversation. The conversation is now available in the filtered message under message requests. I can undo the ignored conversation but you cannot. If you message me I won’t get notified but I can read the messages and you will never know. Note that the chat will not be visible in my Facebook Messenger Main chat section. I hope this clears your mind. Also read: How you can install Facebook Messenger on your PC?

Update: How to Ignore Messages on Messenger 2023

Facebook Messenger has been updated and there are several changes in the app. Before it was different ignoring someone or their messages. But now it’s slightly different. In the latest Messenger app, to ignore a message or a conversation:

  1. Open Messenger and go to Chats.
  2. Now tap and hold a conversation.
  3. Tap Ignore Restrict Messages from the option.
  4. You will see a notification that “This person is Restricted”.
  5. That is it, you have successfully ignored messages.
Update: How to Ignore Messages on Messenger
Update: How to Ignore Messages on Messenger

So this is how you can do so in the latest Messenger application. Now sometimes, in the future, you may want to unignore this conversation or messages again. For doing so please find the updated section of the article below.

How to Ignore Messages on Messenger

Before getting into the procedure, please update your Facebook Messenger application. This method is for Android users only, iOS users can scroll down and see the procedure. OK now please follow the below steps.

  1. Open Messenger.
  2. Swipe from left to right on a conversation you want to ignore.
  3. Tap the three-line button.
  4. Tap ignore messages option.
  5. On the confirmation window click the IGNORE option to confirm.
  6. The conversation has been moved to Message Requests.
  7. That’s it you have successfully ignored messages or a conversation on Facebook Messenger.

How to ignore messages on Messenger

Hey, do you know that there is an alternative and always working method to ignore messages on Messenger? Let me show you that too.

Alternative Method To Ignore A Conversation on Messenger

Before getting started with the below steps (Android users only), please make sure your Facebook Messenger app is up to date.

  1. Open any chat you wanna ignore.
  2. Now tap the info icon at the top right corner.
  3. Scroll down and tap the ignore messages option.
  4. On the confirmation popup screen, tap the IGNORE option to confirm
  5. That’s it, you will see a notification that the conversation has been moved to Message Requests.

See, it is easy as that, please me know if you have experienced something new in this feature.

How to Ignore Messages on Messenger on iPhone and iPad

All iOS users can follow the below steps to ignore a conversation. All you need is to open any conversation you want to ignore. The person’s name is at the top. Scroll down a little bit and you will see Ignore Messages option, just tap on it. In the final step, again tap on ignore the Messages option.

I don’t use an iOS device, however, I have read this post on the official Facebook blog and told you the procedure. You can let me know if still, the procedure is the same as above for ignoring messages on iOS.

Note that the Messages Request is no longer available at the old place. Find the updated section of the post below to know where is the message requests option how you can unignore messages in there in 2022.

How to Unignore Messages on Messenger

It is easy to find and undo ignore messages. Please follow the below step to proceed to unignore messages. The alternate procedure is given below to this one.

  1. Open Messenger.
  2. Tap the people icon at the bottom middle.
  3. Now tap the Avatar with a plus (+) sign at the top right corner.
  4. Tap Requests and then Spam
  5. You will a list of conversations you have ignored, tap any from the list
  6. In the final step, tap the Reply option at the bottom right of the screen, and you are good to go.

How to unignore messages on Messenger

Alternative Method to Unignore Messages on Messenger

This procedure is for both iOS, iPhone, and iPad as well as Android users. All you need is to follow the below simple steps to undo ignore messages or unignore a conversation on Facebook Messenger.

  1. Open Messenger
  2. Look at the search bar at the top and type in a person’s name you have ignored messages from.
  3. Tap on his/her profile
  4. When you open the chat tap the reply option at the bottom right.
  5. That is it, you have successfully undone or unignored messages on Messenger.

Update: Unignore Messages on Messenger

Recently I updated my Facebook Messenger application and noted that the Message Request option is no longer that. So I have found where is the Messages Requests option and how you can unignore messages from there. You must update your app before doing so. Please follow these steps:

  1. Open the updated Messenger app.
  2. Tap your profile picture at the top left.
  3. Now tap on the Message Request option under your Profile Name.
  4. Go to SPAM and you will the full list of the ignored conversation.
  5. Select the one you wanna unignore and send him a message.
  6. That is it you have successfully undone the ignored conversation.
unignore messages on updated Messenger app 2020
unignore messages on updated Messenger app 2020

The conversation is now available in your primary inbox and you can start to chat with ease. Note that you can no longer undo the ignored conversation without replying. Which is not good as in my opinion.

Ignore Group Chat in Messenger

You can easily ignore a group chat or conversation in your Facebook Messenger. You can follow these steps to do it: Open Messenger, then find a group chat you wanna ignore. Now tap and hold the group chat and tap Ignore Group. This is how easily you can ignore a group chat in your Messenger app.

Unignore Group Chat in Messenger

You can easily unignore a group chats the same you undo a normal ignored conversation. However, here are the easy steps to unignore group chats: In Messenger tap your profile picture, then Message Requests. Go to the SPAM tab and open a group chat you wanna unignore. Then send a message and this way you will undo ignore group chat.

Where are Message Requests on Messenger?

The very annoying thing Facebook has ever done, is they’ve moved things here and there. They don’t even mention the moving feature in their update section in Google Play Store and iOS App Store.

Recently they have moved from the Messages Requests option from the People. The Message Request option is now available in your profile section. Open the Messenger app then tap your profile photo at the top left corner. You will see the Message Requests option there.

How to Check If You Are Being Ignored on Messenger

Well, to be honest with you, it requires your common sense. There are no specific settings available right to check if you are being ignored on Facebook Messenger or not. However, let’s say you have sent someone a lot of messages, and those messages are delivered but there is no read receipt for a long time. Then consider you are being ignored on Messenger.

How Can I Tell If Someone Ignored Me on Messenger?

There is no way to tell if someone ignored your text messages on Facebook Messenger. In short, you can only guess, once you don’t get a reply for more than usual from a specific person. If you have been ignored then your message will be left as sent not seen. That is the only possibility. Yes, the other person can see and read your messages. However, all of the messages are sending to the person are going to the filtered messages or message requests section.

Can Ignored Message be Seen?

Yes, the ignored messages can be seen anytime. The difference is you don’t get noticed, your messages are left sent but not seen by you. However, the other person can into the spam folder or message request and then check and read your messages, and you won’t be get notified. This is surprisingly strange but true.

When you ignore Someone on Messenger can they see if you are active?

Once you activate that ignore messages feature for a conversation or person, then all their message is coming to your hidden inbox or messages request. Thus they won’t be able to see you online or your active status online. Apart from this you can choose and turn off the active status from the profile settings section.

How to Know if Your Messages Are Being Ignored on Messenger

You can easily know if you are messages are on the Facebook Messenger application. In short, if you don’t get a reply for a long time, you are being ignored. To confirm that open the chat and check if there is a checkmark under your last message (it is not in grey). Then it is confirmed that your messages are being ignored. However, if a person reads your message while he ignored you, then there is will see a grey checkmark under the last message. Once they unignore you, then you will be able to see his profile icon under your last message. Here is a quick video demo:

How to Delete or Remove Ignored Messages

In the latest Facebook Messenger update, it is very easy to delete or remove the ignored convos. To do so, just open your Messenger application. Tap your profile photo at the top left. Tap Message Requests, go to SPAM, or You May Know tab, and open an ignored conversation you wanna delete. Tap the info icon at the top right, then three dots at the top right corner, and Delete Conversation. Confirm everything and hit that DELETE option on the popup.

Just to remind you that once you delete or remove an ignored conversation or message. Then you cannot undo that and those messages or that conversation are gone forever. In short, there is nothing you can do to recover those deleted ignored messages.

Can I still View/See Ignored messages on Messenger?

Yes, you can see or view ignored messages in the Messenger application by getting into your profile, then Messages Request, and tapping on the Spam option at the top. There you can tap any ignored messages or conversations. Also, you can unignore it if you want to. The best thing is, the other party won’t be notified if you do so. This means when you open and read those ignored messages, the other person won’t know about it.

How do you get ignored messages back on Messenger?

You can easily get back ignored messages on Messenger by following these steps. Go to your Messenger and tap your profile picture at the top left. Then tap Message Request then SPAM, and you will see all ignored messages there. Open a conversation and reply to that, and you will see ignored messages back in your main chat list Messenger.

Difference Between Blocking and Ignoring Someone on Messenger

I will keep it simple, whenever you ignore a person on Messenger. That person can still send you a message, but it will go to the filtered messages or hidden inbox. Those messages won’t be visible on your main chat on Messenger. You can still see that person in your active list and read his/her messages. Moreover, if you want, you can immediately unignore that person and start chatting again.

Thus, ignoring could let you away from annoying people on FBM. It is gonna save you time texting with unnecessary people, and much more.

But when you block a person on Messenger. He/she can no longer send you messages and contact or find you on Messenger. Note blocking someone is removing them from your contacts list on Messenger.

did you find this post helpful? If yes then please don’t forget to share it on Facebook and Twitter to support and help others.

You might also like
80 Comments
  1. sandy says

    One of my friend blocked me in fb and messenger. Then I ignored their message. So it went in the filtered message.
    Now, I want to undo their message. but failed to do so.

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi Sandy,
      How its getting failed I mean what is the error or fail message? For your information when someone blocks you on Facebook and Messenger both apps. It means you guys are not friends anymore, because as per Facebook when a person blocks you (blocking means unfriending), you are completely getting rid of him. So that could also be the reason the undo option is failing. The only thing I can suggest is to stop wasting your time looking for such a solution, please. It won’t get failed until the person unblocks you.

      1. Baby Kangaroo says

        Hi! The “Ignore messages” button has gone for me. What should I do?

        1. Samad Ali Khan says

          Hi,

          Can you please share a screenshot??

          1. Kaz says

            Hi I have a message on fb for messenger.. I have checked spam and requests yet it still says there is a unread message.. Am I missing something?

          2. Samad Ali Khan says

            Hi,

            Yes, you are, you need to check all your convos on chat screen as well as on the Messages Requests.

            Thanks.

          3. Kayr says

            After you ignore the message, it also gives you an option to not hear from them any more. Does that mean, he will not be able to message you forever?

          4. April says

            Why does my Facebook story give me the option to add a messenger contact to my custom story but after I add them it shows they’re not on my list of viewers. I’ve tried to add him multiple times and it gives me the option but he’s never added. We’re not Facebook friends just contacts on messenger daily.

          5. Samad Ali Khan says

            Possibly the person may ignoring you on Facebook or may have blocked you, it is also possible that the person may have temporarily disabled his account. If these are not the cases let me know.

        2. Allison M Weiler says

          I’m getting the sent but not delivered icon… but I keep hearing the sound when someone reads the messages and the sound when someone is typing.

          1. Samad Ali Khan says

            This could be due to a bug in the Messenger app, please try updating your Messenger app to the latest version then check.

      2. Karl says

        Apologies the third option after the first bottom people then the second person top right hand corner the third to get to the spam next to the invite option is nothing there to get to my ignored folks is not there want advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you

        The option that is Missing is the request option it is just gone now

        1. Samad Ali Khan says

          Hi, after reading your reply, I updated my app and still, I can see the options mentioned above. Trust me, it might be a bug.

        2. Samad Ali Khan says

          Please check the updated section of the post, I have just posted an update on where is the Request option and how you can unignore the messages, etc.

          1. Erika says

            What happens if you start a chat with someone not in your friends list put was in your contacts but then ignore and delete the convo. Next time they message me will it show up in my regular chat inbox?

          2. Samad Ali Khan says

            Hi, Erika

            No, when that person messages you, it won’t show up in the primary chat or inbox. You don’t need to worry about that. But the chat will be visible in the Message Requests.

  2. Anonym says

    Let´s say I decided to ignore a person on messanger, and then the person sends me message and I reply back, will the person I ignored get notified that i “unignored” the person? I have been in a situation where people, that i am not friends with and have not ignored on in any ways have contacted me, and I pressed reply. Then I recieved a notification/message “you can now call each other and see information such as active status as well as reading messages.” Will the person I ignored get this message or any other notifcations If i reply?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Yes, the person will get a regular message notification, but won’t know that either you have ignored or unignored the person (Answer to your 1st question). If you get a new message request and you accept it, then you both will get the same “you can now call each other and see information such as active status as well as reading messages”. However, if you have ignored someone and reply them again then they won’t get any notification as you mentioned (Answer to your 2nd question).

  3. madhavi says

    please help me to recover deleted messenger messages please

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      I have a video on my YouTube channel if you have time please watch that. Somehow that may help you. Moreover, please note that secret conversations or ignored messages cannot be recovered.

  4. Anat Samuelsson says

    Hi.
    The person I ignored is now in my filtered messages. I want to un ignore him without sending him a message. Can I do that?
    He does not appear in friends request . Iv tried all the possible help I can get. Nothing works. Can you help me?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Yes, You can do that. All you need is:
      1. Go to Messenger
      2. Open the conversation (Ignored one)
      3. Hit the reply button at the bottom and don’t compose a new message.
      4. That is it.
      So that is how you can unginore someone without replying them. Let me know if you need any further help.

      Thanks for commenting here and don’t forget to share the article with your Facebook friends.

      1. Sarah says

        This doesn’t work because there is no ‘reply button’. There is just the text field and once you’ve typed something, the ‘enter’ button shows. What he’s asking is how you do this without having to send something?

        1. Samad Ali Khan says

          I can bet it, there is a reply button and right now I can send you a direct video and screenshots. I completely understand and don’t have to send something to make this conversation visible in your primary inbox and unignore the person.
          If you guys don’t have the button that is strange, really it’s strange. How it’s even possible?????

          1. Brett says

            It’s true there is no “reply” button. Only the text box.

            I guess it’s only there if they send you a message?!?!

          2. Samad Ali Khan says

            hi guys,
            Please any of you can share screenshot with me?

            Thanks

  5. Leffe says

    I have the same problem, there isn’t any of that reply buttons, tried a thousand times and there is no such thing, it only says as a messege that if I reply I’ll receive messege from the person and the person will see my active status, and the option below Is only I don’t want to hear from the person.

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi LEFFE,
      I really don’t know what is going on, I can anyone right now that I still have it and its working fine. I think this feature has some location issues (I mean somewhere people have it and somewhere doesn’t). Its strange thing happening right now, but it might a bug too. Really have no idea.

      Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  6. Jean says

    Hi great info but I have ignored someone on fb messenger app and I defo do not have the reply button. I have a window that warns me if I reply etc etc and underneath a text box to enter texts so that means I cannot unignore without sending a message which I don’t want to do. Also is it correct that I see their active and inactive status because I can see it? Also can they see my active stays and inactive status?
    Thank
    Jean

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Dear Jean,
      Thanks for your comment. The ignore feature doesn’t have any relation with active status etc. However, the reply button is still there, maybe that person has blocked you. You can see that person in the ignore list?

  7. Bee says

    My messanger says we i can no longer reply. However we are still friends and im the one who ignored how can i fix it?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi,
      Remove the messenger app and clear the cache on your phone. Restart your device and install the Messenger again. I think it is a bug, however, it is also possible that the person has blocked you as he/she noted that you are ignoring the convo. Now it is up to you.

      Thanks.

  8. Sandrino says

    Thanks l mistakenly ignored my very good friend.
    When l looked this up ,l had doubts at first but l tried it and it really worked. Now l have in ignored her. Thanks a lot

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Thank You,

      You are a good visitor.

  9. Sandy says

    Hello, I think there have been an update. It tls me to unignore someone I need to reply to the conversation but Id rather not do that. Please os thereany other way? Post update?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi, just hit the reply button that will undo the ignore, hitting the reply doesn’t means that you should send the message. I hope you you understand.

    2. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi, sorry you are right. Now people can no longer reply without replying to undone the ignored conversation. I have just posted in the post, check the update section of the post for more information.

  10. Hala Ibraheem says

    I know how to ignore someone’s messages but I’m curious to know what does it mean after ignoring someone’s conversation you get a message underneath the conversation saying “I don’t want to hear from ….”, what will happen if I tap on that option?? I really need to know. Thank you.

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      You will then have two options to choose from, either to block or report the person. That is it.

  11. Erika says

    Hi what happens if you ignore someone that wasn’t on your friends list to begin with then delete conversation after ignoring it.

    Does it go back to your regular chat box as on their end they’re just replying to the chat?

    Sorry I asked this in reply when I meant to comment.

    Thank you

  12. William Chestnut says

    How long do I have to wait to re-ignite someone I ignored once and then unignored (replied to in the spam folder)

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      I am sorry but I don’t understand what are you talking about, please explain a little bit more.

  13. Deeno says

    If you have ignored a message/contact can they still see if you are active on messenger

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Yes, they will you if you are active or not but the only won’t know if you read their message or not.

  14. Grace says

    Can i call that someone even ignoring me or not?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      That person won’t see you are calling. I think you are getting my point.

  15. Aira laruya says

    If i ignored someone messages, is they still can see me active/online? Yes or no?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Yes, ignoring has nothing to do with the active status on Facebook Messenger.

  16. Cornelia says

    Hey! if the person is ignoring me, will my messages be sent or delivered? tried testing it with my friends and the messages don’t end up being delivered, however I keep finding contradictory information online.

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Definitely those messages are delivered, it doesn’t matter what you see on your messenger screen but I can assure you that those messages are sent.

      1. dzek says

        Wait, I also know that they are sent, but can you proove me that they have been delivered, because i get only single tick with empty circle on screen. And says “Sent” not delivered. I am confused about that part

        1. Samad Ali Khan says

          Hi,
          You did not mention empty tick, yes it is only sent not delivered. Sorry for the confusion.

  17. Maria says

    Hi,

    Why messenger wouldn’t “allow” me to ignore some chats? I press “ignore” button and the conversation still stays in my main inbox. Happens regularly with the same chat, sometimes it works, sometimes not. Any idea why is that?

    Thanks

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi,
      Are you using the latest Messenger app?

      1. Maria says

        Yes…

  18. Shannen says

    Why can I not ignore messages from non-friends? ie. I have spoken with a stranger and accepted their message, however I want to ignore their messages now but there is no option as I’m not friends with them. They can view my story for some reason too! I’ve selected Friends Only, but I feel like they have too much access and I’m not even a facebook friend with them

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi,

      Check that you are not following the person, I know you are not friends but check that and let me. I will figure out something then.

  19. Maria Angela says

    Hi! What will I do if I want to unignore someone but they are not on my spam lists? I tried to visit their account and followed what you said but still, the messenger would still say I ignore them, particularly in a group chat. I can only read their messages in the group but It wont notify if they seen the messages.

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi,
      Can you please try this and let me know:
      1. In the search bar type in the username of the person.
      2. Then open the chat and send him a message.

      If this is not gonna work then I will figure out something else.

  20. Patricia says

    Hey, I had accidentally ignored a friend on fbm I am trying to unignore him and it’s not allowing me to. I have a screen shot of what it says. Please can you help me??

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Please write that here what is on your screenshot?

  21. Nijee Johnson says

    I ignored someone on messenger but now when i call it does not ring it just says contacting. Is it a way to fix that ?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Did you unignored him or not?

  22. Blue says

    Can I know if the person who’s in my ignored list sent me a message even without replying just to unignore?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Hi,

      You cannot unignore someone in the latest Facebook Messenger application. It was possible before but not in the latest version of Messenger.

      Thanks.

  23. Someone says

    Dear Samad sir,

    I saw your reply here. Actually, I ignored my Friend for 15 days and un ignored him after that. And, now when I try to search msgs in search conversation it says “No results”. So, I decided to do a simple experiment. I ignored my other friend for 2days and unignored her and tried to search msgs in conversation and I could get the results. I don’t know whats going on ? can you help me with this? I want to see results when searching conversation. Thank you.

  24. Chloe Deck says

    I ignored a friend for a month and now I finally replied to him. My problem is, whenever I use the function of “Search in Conversation”, it doesn’t show the past messages anymore whenever I search for the keywords I want to search in our conversation. All our conversation before ignoring him seems to be not scanned in “Search in Conversation” whenever I search for the keywords. The function works only for the recent messages after unignoring him. I think that ignoring him affected it in a way that keywords from our past conversation are not searchable anymore but take note that our entire conversation is not deleted, it’s just not searchable anymore. Please help me because I need to find some old messages through keywords. Thanks!

    1. Patrik says

      Hi! I have the same problem. How did you fix it? Please help me.

      1. Samad Ali Khan says

        Whenever you choose to ignore a conversation on Messenger, Facebook then doesn’t record anything in that chat, I don’t know why they are doing this but it’s kind of weird. In the end, we cannot do anything regarding such an issue. I hope they will fix the problem, I will report it as I am a Facebook community helper there. I will update everyone once I get a reply… Thanks.

  25. Tera Thomas says

    What if a friend ignores me then i ignored him how do i reverse this

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      You can reverse this only at your end. Go to Profile then Message Requests, SPAM then select the user profile and reply to that conversation. This way you will reverse the ignore action.

    2. Samad Ali Khan says

      Go to your profile section then Message Request and navigate to the SPAM tab. Open the chat and reply on that.

  26. Abby says

    If messages only say delivered, and not read, does that mean that they ignored me?

    1. Samad Ali Khan says

      Probably Yes.

  27. James says

    why does my search conversation on messenger appear only the earliest of our conversation, not the messages months ago, after I ignored someone’s message and unignored it after 2days?

  28. Chante Meyers says

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and
    I am inspired! Extremely helpful info specifically the last
    part 🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

  29. Elva says

    Hello. Just a quick question…if I read the ignored group chat, will the other people see that I have read or have seen the messages?

  30. rl says

    Agree, having to send a message to unspam a message and effectively that person is u-g-l-y and going backward.

  31. Pinecone2 says

    I have ignored someone i feel might have ignored and unignored me from now and then. After i have unignored that person the few messages i got are there in the chat but older ones are gone up to a date.
    Is it possible after unignoring someone that the messages that got ignored by that someone to be deleted? How does it work…What messages does facebook decides to delete and why?

  32. Chesterjoype says

    What good luck!

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

You cannot copy content of this page