Blocking someone on Mac depends on which app they're contacting you through

There is no single "block" button for your entire Mac. Instead, you block people within the specific apps where you communicate with them — Messages, Mail, FaceTime, or a web browser. Each app has its own blocking feature, and blocking someone in Messages does not block them in Mail or FaceTime. You need to block them separately in each place you want to stop contact.

The reason is straightforward: these are different services with different contact methods. Someone's phone number works in Messages and FaceTime but not in Mail. Their email address works in Mail but not in Messages. Blocking is tied to how they reach you, not to a single account.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking in Messages, Mail, and FaceTime happens separately — blocking someone in one app does not block them in the others.
  • In Messages, right-click the conversation and select "Block This Caller" to stop texts and iMessage from that contact.
  • In Mail, select an email from the sender, click the Mail menu, and choose "Block Contact" to filter their messages to trash.
  • In FaceTime, right-click the contact's name in your recent calls and select "Block This Caller" to prevent incoming calls and video requests.
  • Blocked contacts can still see your public profiles and send you messages — they just will not reach you, and you will not see notifications.

How to block someone in Messages

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Right-click on their name or the conversation thread. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Block This Caller." Messages will move that conversation to a separate section and stop showing you notifications from them.

If you change your mind, you can unblock them the same way. Right-click the conversation, and instead of "Block This Caller," you will see "Unblock This Caller." Blocked contacts can still send you messages, but they will not appear in your inbox — they go to a hidden section you can access through Settings if you need to review them later.

To find blocked messages if you need them, open Messages, go to the menu bar, click "Messages," then "Settings." Click the "Blocked" tab to see a list of everyone you have blocked and any messages they sent while blocked.

How to block someone in Mail

Open Mail and find an email from the person you want to block. Click on the email to open it. In the menu bar at the top, click "Mail," then scroll down to find "Block Contact." Mail will add that sender to your blocked list, and their future emails will go directly to your trash folder.

You can also block someone by right-clicking their email address in a message and selecting "Block Contact" from the menu that appears. If you block someone by mistake, go to Mail Settings, click the "Junk" tab, find the "Blocked" section, and remove their address from the list.

Unlike Messages, blocked emails in Mail do not disappear — they still arrive, but they skip your inbox and go straight to trash. This means you can review them if needed without being bothered by notifications.

How to block someone in FaceTime

Open FaceTime and look at your recent calls list. Find the person you want to block. Right-click on their name. A menu will appear. Click "Block This Caller." FaceTime will prevent them from calling or video-chatting you, and you will not see any notifications if they try.

If you want to unblock them later, right-click their name again and select "Unblock This Caller." You can also manage your blocked list through FaceTime Settings. Click "FaceTime" in the menu bar, then "Settings," and look for the "Blocked" section to see everyone you have blocked and remove anyone from the list.

How to block someone in web browsers and social media

If someone is contacting you through a website, social media app, or web-based service, blocking works differently because these services are not built into macOS. You block them directly within that website or app. For example, on Twitter you right-click a user's profile and select "Block," and on Facebook you click their profile, find the three-dot menu, and choose "Block."

If you use a web browser to access these services, the blocking feature is part of the website itself, not your Mac. Check the help section of whichever service you use — most have a block or report feature in the user's profile menu or settings.

What happens when you block someone

When you block someone in Messages, Mail, or FaceTime, they cannot reach you through that service. Their messages and calls will not come through, and you will not get notifications. However, they can still see your public profile information and may not know they are blocked — some services show a message like "delivered" even though you never see it.

Blocking is different from reporting. Blocking stops someone from contacting you. Reporting tells Apple (or another service) that someone is harassing or threatening you, which may result in their account being investigated or suspended. If someone is threatening you or sending unwanted content, reporting is often more effective than blocking alone.

Blocked contacts remain blocked until you unblock them. There is no time limit — they stay blocked indefinitely unless you change it. You can unblock and reblock the same person as many times as you need to.

Blocking someone does not delete past messages

Blocking someone stops future contact but does not erase conversations you already had with them. In Messages, your past text history with that person remains in your message archive. In Mail, old emails from that sender stay in your mailbox unless you delete them yourself. Blocking only affects new messages going forward.

If you want to remove a conversation entirely, you can delete it separately. In Messages, right-click the conversation and select "Delete." In Mail, select the email and press Delete. These actions are independent of blocking — you can delete a conversation without blocking the person, or block someone without deleting your history with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them on Mac?

Not directly. In Messages and FaceTime, a blocked person may notice their calls or texts do not go through, but they will not see a notification saying "you are blocked." In Mail, they have no way to know their messages are going to your trash. On social media and websites, some services show a message indicating you are blocked, but built-in Mac apps do not.

If I block someone in Messages, are they blocked in FaceTime too?

No. Blocking is separate in each app. You must block them individually in Messages, FaceTime, and Mail if you want to stop contact across all services. Blocking someone in one app does not affect the others.

What if someone keeps contacting me from different phone numbers or email addresses?

You can block each number or address separately as they contact you. If the harassment continues, consider reporting it to Apple through the app's report feature, or contact local law enforcement if the behavior is threatening. Blocking alone may not stop someone determined to reach you through multiple accounts.

Can I block someone without them knowing I blocked them?

Yes, in most cases. In Messages, FaceTime, and Mail, blocked people will not receive a notification that you blocked them. They may figure it out over time if their messages never get through, but the apps do not tell them directly.

How do I unblock someone on Mac?

The process is the same as blocking. In Messages or FaceTime, right-click their name and select "Unblock This Caller." In Mail, go to Settings, click the "Junk" tab, find the "Blocked" section, and remove their email address. Once unblocked, they can contact you normally again.