# Facebook: Can I retract a friend request?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 6, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511 "2011-06-06T16:41:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511/1 "2011-06-06T16:41:41Z")

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Or at least review my pending requests? I can’t find a way to do this.

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**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511/2 "2011-06-06T17:02:50Z")

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I’ve never seen a way to do it, but you could simply block the person. Do you simply want to continue as was before you sent the friend request or do you want to restrict their access to your information? Once they accept your request you can always unfriend them, but that may not be what you are looking for.

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**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511/3 "2011-06-06T17:13:14Z")

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> [@Wheelz](#):
>
> Or at least review my pending requests? I can’t find a way to do this.

There used to be a way to review pending requests, but nowadays [“there’s currently no place on the site where you can see all your sent pending requests.”](http://www.facebook.com/help/new/?faq=130936266984832) However, the Facebook FAQ gives directions on [how to cancel a friend request](http://www.facebook.com/help/new/?faq=124960554250816) if you know who you’ve sent the request to.

(Facebook’s FAQ is actually pretty good as far as having useful information goes. God help you if you actually need to interact with their customer service agents, though.)

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**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-can-i-retract-a-friend-request/584511/4 "2011-06-06T17:31:12Z")

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> [@MikeS](#):
>
> However, the Facebook FAQ gives directions on [how to cancel a friend request](http://www.facebook.com/help/new/?faq=124960554250816) if you know who you’ve sent the request to.

That worked, thanks!