How to View Restricted Messages on Facebook

  • By Muhid Suleman

    Muhid Suleman

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    Muhid Suleman, An expert writer from Pureprivacy's content team, Dedicate to make data privacy simple and accessible for you. Muhid, Our Content Wizard, weaves tales about online privacy using simple and user friendly procedures. He firmly believes that online privacy is your right and a big deal in the digital jungle.

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  • 12 September 2024
  • 8 mins read

Did you unintentionally restrict them by hiding their messages from your primary inbox? 

Don’t worry, you are not alone!

Fortunately, Facebook Messenger provides a backdoor way to retrieve these lost communications from restricted accounts. 

Buckle up and discover how to uncover those hidden communications and reunite with your friends.

3 Ways to View Restricted Messages on Facebook

Messenger contains a hidden folder that most of you are unaware of. It stores spam messages in this hidden folder. You can receive texts from anyone on Messenger, including friends and strangers. 

If the message is clean, you will receive a notification. If it is spam, Facebook will store it in a hidden area. As a result, you should open this folder and read all restricted messages.

On Desktop:

If you use Facebook Messenger on a PC or desktop, you can see restricted messages like this:

Step 1: Launch the Facebook app on your preferred browser and sign in.

Step 2: Go to the upper right corner of your screen and select the "Messenger" icon.

Go to the upper right corner of your screen and select the "Messenger" icon

Step 3: To open a menu, tap the "3-dots" icon.

To open a menu, tap the "3-dots" icon

Step 4: Select "Message Requests" to see a list of texts in the hidden folder.

Select "Message Requests"

Step 5: To read all messages, select "See All in Messenger.

select "See All in Messenger."

On the Mobile Phone App (iOS Device):

You should use the Messenger app on your iOS device, as do the majority of people. If so, here's how to go into the hidden folder and read restricted messages:

Step 1: Open the Messenger application on your iOS device.

Step 2: Tap the "Menu" icon.

Step 3: Select "Message Requests."

Step 4: Choose the "You Probably Know" and "Spam" options. Check the list of messages to see if any texts from the friends you restrict are present.

reddit thread about restricted message

On the Mobile Phone App (Android)

As an Android phone user, you can check your restricted messages in Messenger as follows:

Step 1: Open the Messenger app from your device.

Open the Messenger app from your device

Step 2: Tap the hamburger or the "menu" icon in the upper left corner beside the Chats.

Tap the hamburger or the "menu" icon

Step 3: Choose "Message Requests."

Choose "Message Requests."

Step 4: Read messages from two locations in your private folder. First, select the "You May Know" option and go through all messages. If you don't see the ones you need, check the "Spam" folder.

select the "You May Know" option

Although restricted messages appear to be hidden, they remain on Facebook's servers. If a security breach occurs, unauthorized persons may get access to these messages. 

Facebook may also track your interactions through restricted interactions to acquire information about your interests and online activities. 

This information may be used for targeted advertising or sold to third parties. PurePrivacy steps in to address these issues. It can go beyond just revealing limited messages. 

PurePrivacy gives you control over your online presence by providing features such as tracker blockers and data deletion tools.

Protect Your Information from Data Harvesters

PurePrivacy is an all-in-one solution that helps you take control of your online identity and protect your data. 

With PurePrivacy, you can effortlessly control your social media privacy settings, delete undesirable information from the internet, and have a safer, more secure online experience.

Here’s How PurePrivacy Assists You:

Privacy Score for Social Media

Its efficient algorithm computes this score by examining the rights you've provided to various social media accounts. It provides you with a security score by assessing the level of access allowed and the potential privacy hazards associated with these permissions.

Automatically Delete Search History

It allows you to wipe your search history across different social networking networks easily. By securely deleting your search history from multiple social media networks, you may keep confidentiality and improve your overall privacy.

Auto-Delete/Hide Posts

You can take control of your posted content by hiding it, limiting its visibility to yourself, or completely deleting it from the social networking platform. You can also protect your privacy by keeping sensitive posts hidden or removing them completely from public view.

Get Privacy Settings across all Social Media platforms

With PurePrivacy’s first-ever social media privacy manager, you can auto-scan & fix privacy settings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, LinkedIn, Google and YouTube. In just $5.83/month, connect your social accounts with our app & get automatic social privacy settings and recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What happens to messages if you restrict Messenger friends?

    Plus

    Anyone you've added to the "Restricted accounts" section cannot track your online activities. Facebook will send you messages and call notifications, but you will not see them. To call or text a buddy, you must first "unrestricted" them.

  • Can I access old and new messages while restricted?

    Plus

    Facebook Messenger does not prevent you from accessing any previous discussions with individuals who have restricted you. However, it will not allow you to see any new posts. That is because you cannot see their "Active status" and vice versa. The best solution is to open the hidden folder, which contains both known and spam messages.

  • How can I discover my Facebook restricted list?

    Plus

    To view or change your Restricted List, follow these steps:

    Log in to Facebook on a computer.
    From your News Feed, select Friends from the left menu. If you don't see it, click "See More."
    Click Custom Lists, then Restricted.
    Click next to someone's name to remove them from the list.

  • Simplify your online presence today

    With PurePrivacy, make sure all your personal data remains safe without a hassle!

Unrestrict Your Restricted Friends!

Viewing restricted messages on Facebook Messenger requires scrolling through secret settings on the mobile app, but it is possible. On a PC, the process is simpler. 

Remember that restricting someone does not entirely cut off communication; you can still view their messages, but there are certain limitations to interaction. 

If you decide to continue exchanging messages, you may easily Unrestrict the contact.