The fastest way depends on which email service you use

Most email providers let you block a sender in one or two clicks. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block button built into the message itself — you do not need to dig through settings. The blocked sender's messages go to spam automatically after that, and you will not see notifications from them.

Where you find the block option varies slightly. In Gmail, open the message and click the three dots in the top right, then select "Block [sender]". In Outlook, right-click the sender's name and choose "Block". In Yahoo Mail, click the three dots next to the sender's name and select "Block". The exact wording changes, but the result is the same: their future messages skip your inbox.

If you use a different email service — a work email, a smaller provider, or an email client on your computer — the blocking feature may be in a different place or called something else. Check your provider's help section for "block sender" or "block email address" to find the exact steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a sender takes one or two clicks in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail, and their messages go to spam automatically after that.
  • You can block an email address from within the message itself — you do not need to go to settings or create a filter rule.
  • Blocking is different from unsubscribing; blocking stops all mail from that address, while unsubscribing only removes you from mailing lists.
  • If you block someone by mistake, you can unblock them in your blocked senders list, which is usually in settings or account preferences.

Where to find your blocked senders list

Once you block someone, their address goes into a list you can view and manage later. In Gmail, go to Settings, then Filters and Blocked Addresses, and you will see everyone you have blocked. In Outlook, the list is under Settings > Mail > Junk Email > Blocked Senders. Yahoo Mail keeps it under Settings > Blocked Addresses. Apple Mail stores blocked senders in Mail > Preferences > Junk Mail.

You may want to check this list if you think you blocked someone by mistake, or if you want to unblock an address later. Unblocking is just as straightforward as blocking — find the address in your blocked list and click "Unblock" or the trash icon next to it. The change takes effect when ready.

Blocking versus unsubscribing — which one to use

Blocking and unsubscribing are not the same thing, and using the wrong one can leave you frustrated. Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list — newsletters, promotional emails, or notifications from services you signed up for. Most legitimate mailing lists have an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the email. Clicking it tells the sender's system to stop sending you mail, but it does not block the address itself.

Blocking is for addresses you do not want to hear from at all, whether they are sending spam, harassing messages, or anything else. When you block, all their messages go to spam, and you will not see them. Blocking works even if the sender does not have an unsubscribe link, or if unsubscribing did not work.

If you get unwanted mail from a legitimate service, try unsubscribing first — it is faster and cleaner. If unsubscribing does not work, or if the mail is spam or harassing, block the address instead.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block an address, their messages go straight to your spam or junk folder. You will not see them in your inbox, and you will not get notifications when they arrive. The blocked sender does not know they are blocked — they will not get a bounce-back message or any other notification that you blocked them.

If the blocked sender uses a different email address to contact you, that new address will not be blocked automatically. Blocking works on a per-address basis, so you would need to block each address separately. This is why blocking is most useful for stopping spam from a single address, rather than stopping a person who keeps creating new email accounts.

When blocking is not enough

Blocking works well for spam and unwanted mail from a single address. But if someone is harassing you from multiple addresses, or if you are getting mail from addresses that look similar to a legitimate sender, blocking each one individually becomes tedious.

In that case, you can create a filter rule that catches mail based on patterns. For example, you could create a rule that sends all mail from addresses containing a certain word or phrase to spam automatically. Gmail calls these "Filters", Outlook calls them "Rules", and Yahoo Mail calls them "Filters". These are more powerful than blocking, but they take a few more steps to set up.

If you are being harassed or threatened, blocking and filtering are not enough. Report the messages to your email provider and consider contacting local law enforcement if the harassment is serious or ongoing.

Blocking on mobile devices

If you use Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail on your phone, you can block senders from the app just as easily as from a computer. Open the message, tap the three dots or menu icon, and look for "Block" or "Block Sender". The blocked address goes to the same list as blocks you made on your computer.

If you use Apple Mail on an iPhone or iPad, open the message, tap the sender's name at the top, and select "Block This Contact". This blocks the address in both Mail and iMessage, so you will not see messages from them in either app.

Blocking on your phone syncs with your other devices. If you block someone on your phone, they will be blocked when you check email on your computer, and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block an email address without opening the message?

In most email services, you need to open the message to find the block button. However, you can usually right-click on the sender's name in your inbox list and select "Block" without opening the full message. If your email service does not offer this, opening the message and blocking from there takes only a few seconds.

What if I block someone by mistake?

Go to your blocked senders list in settings and find the address you want to unblock. Click "Unblock" or the trash icon next to it. Their messages will start arriving in your inbox again, though you may need to check your spam folder for messages they sent while they were blocked.

Does the person I block know I blocked them?

No. They will not receive a notification, bounce-back message, or any other indication that you blocked them. Their messages will straightforward go to spam on your end, and they will have no way of knowing.

Can I block an entire domain instead of just one email address?

Blocking a single address does not block the entire domain. If you want to block all mail from a domain (for example, all addresses ending in @spammer.com), you will need to create a filter rule instead of using the block button. The steps vary by email service, so check your provider's help section for "block domain" or "filter by domain".

Will blocking stop emails I already received?

No. Blocking only affects new messages going forward. Messages from that sender that are already in your inbox will stay there. You can delete them manually, or move them to trash or spam if you want them out of your inbox.