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Knowledge Base entry

How do you block direct messages from unknown accounts?

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FAQ Imported article

Reddit gives you several granular controls over who can send you direct messages and chat requests, and these settings are accessible through the account settings menu regardless of whether you are on desktop or the mobile app. By default, any Reddit account can initiate a conversation with any other user, which means new accounts — including ones created specifically to harass or spam — can reach you. Adjusting these settings is one of the most effective privacy steps you can take, and it requires no technical knowledge. On desktop, navigate to your User Settings by clicking your avatar in the upper-right corner. Select the "Chat and Messaging" or "Privacy" section. There you will find dropdown menus or toggles for "Who can send you chat requests" and "Who can send you private messages." Both of these can be set to options such as "Everyone," "Accounts older than 30 days," "Only people I follow," or "Nobody." Setting both to "Nobody" completely blocks all incoming messages, though moderators and Reddit's own notification system can still contact you through official channels. In the mobile app, tap your avatar in the top-right corner, go to Settings, then Account Settings, and scroll down to the "Chat and Messaging Permissions" or "Blocking and Permissions" section. The same options are available there. Set both chat requests and direct messages to your preferred level of restriction. A middle-ground option that many users find effective is setting the restriction to "Accounts older than 30 days." This eliminates most bot-driven contact and throwaway accounts created specifically for harassment while still allowing genuine long-standing users to reach you if needed. It is a less drastic step than shutting off all messages and filters out the most common vectors for unwanted contact. If you receive an unwanted message before adjusting these settings, blocking the sender directly from the message thread is the fastest response and simultaneously prevents future contact from that account.

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