Mute vs Block on X (Twitter): Stop Unwanted Posts, Replies and Mentions

Does this match what you see?

• Someone’s posts keep appearing that you don’t want to see.
• Strangers keep mentioning or replying to you.
• You want to block someone but not sure what they’ll see.

iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Based on X Help Center “How to control your X experience”, supplied by the site owner, October 31, 2026.

Why this happens: the possible causes

Which control to use, from X’s descriptions.

• Following someone you’re not interested inCheck this first

  X says unfollowing is the simplest way to stop seeing someone’s posts.

How to fix it, step by step

Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.

Unmute someone, or see who you’ve muted

• Unmute: go to their profile. On x.com, click the more icon and unmute; in the app, tap the unmute icon at the top of their profile.
• Muted list (iPhone): navigation menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Safety > Muted > Muted accounts, then tap the mute icon to unmute.
• Muted list (Android): navigation menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety, then under Safety, tap Muted accounts.
• Muted list (x.com): More > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Mute and block > Muted accounts.

Still seeing a muted account?

• If you follow them: X says their replies and mentions still appear in Notifications, and their replies show when you open a conversation. Their older posts are removed from your Home timeline.
• If you don’t follow them: X says their replies and mentions don’t appear in Notifications, their replies are hidden when you open a conversation, and quotes of them by others show “This post is unavailable.”
• Want them gone completely? Block instead.

Mute words, hashtags or a conversation

• Find your muted words: iPhone: Notifications > gear icon > Muted > Muted words. Android: Notifications > gear icon > Muted words. x.com: More > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Mute and block > Muted words.
• Add one: tap Add (iPhone) or the + (Android, x.com). Enter one word, phrase, @username, emoji or hashtag; choose Home timeline, Notifications or both; for notifications, choose From anyone or From people you don’t follow; pick how long (Forever, 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days); then Save.
• Edit or unmute: tap the word, change it and Save. To unmute, tap Delete word (on Android, confirm Yes, I’m sure), or on x.com click the muted button.
• Mute a conversation: on any post in it, tap the more icon > Mute this conversation. X says you stop getting notifications about it, but still see its posts.

Muted word not working?

• X says muted words apply to your Home timeline and notifications (and replies), not search.
• X says they don’t apply to notifications you turned on for posts from an account you follow.
• X says muting is case-insensitive, and muting a word also mutes its hashtag. To mute posts mentioning an account, include the @; that doesn’t mute the account itself.
• X says muted words added back when muting only covered notifications default to Notifications only; edit them to add your Home timeline.

What blocking does, and how to unblock

• Blocked accounts can’t: engage with your posts, follow you, DM you, add you to their Lists, or tag you in photos.
• You may still see them: X says posts from people you follow that mention the blocked account, or posts that mention you and them, can still appear. To see all your mentions, search your own username.
• Notifications: X says you won’t get notifications from blocked accounts, or from people you don’t follow who mention you in conversations started by a blocked account.
• Check who you’ve blocked: on their profile, the Follow button shows Blocked, and their posts are hidden unless you select Yes, view profile.
• Unblock: go to their profile, tap Blocked, then Unblock (iPhone) or Yes (Android). X says you’ll need to follow them again.
• Blocked by someone? X says you can still report the account, but not its posts if they’re protected and you don’t follow it.

Unwanted replies or mentions from strangers

X says if you get unwanted replies or mentions from accounts you don’t follow, you can filter the types of notifications you receive in your notification settings. See X notifications.

Unfollow or “Show less often”

• Unfollow: X says this is the simplest way to stop seeing someone’s posts in your timeline. See can’t unfollow.
• Show less often: from the more icon on a post. X says this helps it learn what you want to see less of.
• Report: for posts or accounts that break the rules, such as abuse, sensitive media, impersonation or spam. See report on X.

Sensitive media warnings

X says your Privacy and safety settings include an option to show a warning over media that may be sensitive; it’s on by default. You can also mark your own posts as containing sensitive media so others see a warning first.

Control what others see about you

• Protect your posts so only approved followers see them. See protected posts.
• Photo tagging: X says you can let anyone, just friends or no one tag you in photos.
• Discoverability: stop people finding you by email or phone. See discoverability.
• Location in posts: X says you choose for each post whether to include your location; think about who might see it. See precise location.
• Third-party apps: read an app’s terms before connecting it. See connected apps.

Your new account seems limited

X says while it checks there’s a real person behind an account, it may limit the account’s reach. X suggests spending time engaging with your timeline and connecting with others; once X sees more activity on the account, it’s unlocked to reach more people. See also locked or limited.

How to know it worked

• Our check: you’re no longer seeing the posts, replies or mentions you didn’t want.

Still not working? Your next steps

1. Being harassed or threatened? Report it to X, and contact local police if you feel unsafe.

Frequently asked questions