How to Add a Friend on Facebook to the Restricted List

Adding a friend to your Facebook Restricted list lets you stay connected without sharing your private posts. When you restrict someone, they can still see your public content and anything you tag them in, but your posts meant for “Friends” only are hidden from them. This guide walks you through the steps on both the mobile app and desktop, plus how to manage the list afterward.

What You’ll Need

A Facebook account (you must be logged in)
The friend’s profile or your Friends list to locate them

Step-by-Step

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS/Android)

Open the Facebook app on your phone and log in if you haven’t already.
Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner (or the hamburger menu, then your name) to go to your profile.
Tap Friends (located near the top of your profile, under your name and bio).
Scroll through your friends list or use the search bar at the top to find the person you want to restrict.
Tap the Friends button next to their name (it shows a checkmark and “Friends”). A menu will pop up.
Select Edit Friend Lists from the menu.
In the list of friend lists, tap Restricted (it has a small eye icon). A checkmark will appear next to it.
Tap Done (or the checkmark in the top-right) to save. The friend is now restricted.

On Facebook Desktop (Web Browser)

Go to facebook.com and log in.
Click your name in the left sidebar (or click the downward arrow at the top-right and select your profile).
Click the Friends tab, which is near the top of your profile, below your cover photo.
Find the friend in your list. You can use the search box at the top of the friends list to type their name.
Hover over the Friends button next to their name. A dropdown menu appears.
Click Edit Friend Lists.
In the pop-up, check the box next to Restricted.
Click Done (or close the pop-up). The change saves automatically.

Common Mistakes

Using “Unfollow” instead of “Restrict”: Unfollowing only stops their posts from appearing in your feed; they can still see your private posts. Restricting is what hides your posts from them.
Blocking by mistake: Blocking is much more severe—it severs the friendship entirely and prevents any interaction. Restricting is a softer, less obvious action.
Forgetting that public posts are still visible: Restricted friends can still see anything you post as “Public.” If you want to hide a specific post from them, you must change the audience for that post to “Friends” (or a custom list that excludes them).
Not saving changes on mobile: On the app, you must tap Done after checking the Restricted box. If you just swipe away, the change may not save.

Tips

Use the Restricted list for acquaintances or coworkers: It’s a great way to keep in touch with people you don’t want seeing your personal life.
Check your list periodically: People you restricted years ago might now be close friends. You can remove them from the list at any time.
Remember: They won’t be notified. Facebook does not tell someone when you add them to your Restricted list. It’s completely silent.
You can also restrict from a post: When creating a post, click the audience selector (e.g., “Friends”) and choose “Custom.” Then, in the “Don’t share with” field, type the person’s name. This restricts them from that single post without changing your overall friend list settings.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the “Restricted” option: Make sure you are editing the friend list from the “Friends” button on their profile or in your friends list. If you’re on the desktop, try clicking the “Friends” button directly on their profile page—the dropdown will show “Edit Friend Lists.” If you still don’t see it, refresh the page or try a different browser.
The friend still sees your posts: Double-check that your post’s audience is set to “Friends” (not “Public”). Also, if you tagged the restricted friend in the post, they will see it even if it’s set to “Friends.” To prevent that, untag them or adjust the post’s audience to “Custom” and exclude them.
Changes not saving on mobile: Force-close the Facebook app and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs a refresh. Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection.
You accidentally restricted the wrong person: Go back to your Friends list, find that person, click the “Friends” button, and uncheck “Restricted.” The change takes effect immediately.
Can’t find the Friends list on the app: If you don’t see a “Friends” tab on your profile, tap the three dots (⋯) next to “Edit Profile” and select “Friends” from the menu. Or, use the search bar at the top of the app to type the person’s name, go to their profile, and click the “Friends” button there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know they are on my Restricted list?

No. Facebook does not send any notification when you add or remove someone from your Restricted list. The change is completely invisible to them.

Can a restricted friend see my posts if I tag them?

Yes. If you tag a restricted friend in a post, they will be able to see that post, even if it’s set to “Friends.” To hide it, you’d need to untag them or set the audience to “Custom” and exclude them.

What’s the difference between Restricted and Unfollow?

Restricted hides your posts from them. Unfollow hides their posts from you. They are independent actions. You can do both, either, or neither.

Can I still message a restricted friend?

Yes. Restricting only affects post visibility, not messaging. You can still send and receive messages, and you’ll both see each other’s online status.

Does restricting affect our friendship status?

No. You remain friends. They can still see your profile, send you messages, and interact with your public posts. Only your “Friends”-only posts are hidden from them.

Can I restrict someone who is not my friend?

No. The Restricted list only applies to people on your friends list. If someone is not your friend, they already can’t see your “Friends”-only posts. You can use privacy settings to limit what strangers see.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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