The fastest way to block someone in Gmail
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions menu) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown. Gmail will move that sender's future emails to spam automatically, and you won't see notifications when they arrive.
That's the entire process. Once blocked, emails from that address go straight to your spam folder. You can still see them if you check spam, but they won't clutter your inbox or trigger alerts on your phone.
If you've already deleted the email, you can still block the sender. Go to your spam folder, find an email from that person, open it, and use the same three-dot menu to block them.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking sends all future emails from that address to spam; it does not delete past messages or notify the sender.
- You can block someone from any email they've sent you, whether it's still in your inbox or already in spam.
- Blocked senders can still see whether you've read their emails if you've replied to them before; blocking only affects what you receive going forward.
- If someone creates a new email address and contacts you again, you'll need to block that address separately.
What happens when you block someone
Blocking is not the same as deleting. The sender's past emails stay in your account — they just move to spam. If you want to remove them entirely, you can search for that sender's address and delete the messages manually, but blocking alone doesn't erase the history.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that you've blocked them. They won't know unless they try to contact you another way and notice you've stopped replying. If they send you an email after you block them, it arrives in your spam folder, and you won't see a notification.
Blocking is permanent until you undo it. If you change your mind, you can unblock someone by going to Settings, clicking the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, finding the blocked address, and clicking Unblock next to their name.
Blocking someone who uses multiple email addresses
If someone contacts you from several different email addresses, you'll need to block each one separately. Gmail blocks by email address, not by person, so blocking john@example.com won't block john.smith@example.com or any other variation.
When you notice a pattern of contact from multiple addresses, block them as they arrive. If you're being harassed or contacted repeatedly despite blocking, consider reporting the emails as spam or phishing instead — this helps Gmail identify coordinated abuse.
Blocking versus reporting as spam
Blocking and reporting as spam do similar things but serve different purposes. Blocking stops that sender's emails from reaching your inbox. Reporting as spam tells Gmail that the sender is sending unwanted bulk mail, phishing attempts, or other malicious content — this feedback helps Gmail improve its spam filters for everyone.
If someone is sending you unwanted marketing emails or newsletters, blocking is usually enough. If you suspect the email is fraudulent, contains malware, or is part of a phishing scheme, report it as spam instead. You can do both: report the email as spam and then block the sender.
Unblocking someone if you change your mind
Go to Gmail Settings (the gear icon in the top right, then "See all settings"). Click the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find your blocked addresses list. Find the person you want to unblock and click the Unblock button next to their name.
Once you unblock someone, their future emails will go to your inbox normally again. Emails they sent while blocked will still be in your spam folder — unblocking doesn't move them back to your inbox automatically. You can manually move them if you want to keep them.
When blocking isn't enough
If someone creates new email addresses to contact you after you've blocked them, blocking each new address becomes tedious. If this is happening, the contact may cross into harassment. Gmail's reporting tools can help: mark emails as spam or phishing, and Gmail may take action against the sender's account if the pattern is severe enough.
For serious harassment, consider reporting the behavior to Gmail support directly. You can also look into whether the person is violating your email provider's terms of service or local laws. If you feel unsafe, contact local law enforcement — they can sometimes trace repeated contact attempts.
Blocking on mobile Gmail
The process is the same on Gmail's mobile app. Open the email, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Block [sender's name]." The sender will be blocked on all your devices — Gmail syncs your blocked list across phone, tablet, and computer.
If you're using Gmail through a third-party email app on your phone (like Outlook or Apple Mail), blocking may work differently or not at all. Those apps have their own blocking features. Check your app's settings or help section for instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked sender tell I've blocked them?
No. The sender won't receive a notification, and their emails will appear to send normally from their end. They'll only know if they try to contact you another way and notice you're not responding.
Will blocking delete emails I've already received from this person?
No. Blocking moves future emails to spam but leaves past messages in your account. They move to the spam folder, but you can still find them if you search. To delete them, you'll need to manually select and delete them.
What if someone keeps creating new email addresses to contact me?
Block each new address as it arrives. If this continues, report the emails as spam or phishing — this tells Gmail about the pattern. For serious harassment, contact Gmail support or local law enforcement.
Can I block an entire domain, like everyone at a company?
Gmail doesn't have a built-in feature to block entire domains. You'll need to block individual email addresses. If you receive many unwanted emails from the same organization, you can create a filter to send all emails from that domain to spam instead.
If I unblock someone, will their old emails come back to my inbox?
No. Unblocking only affects future emails. Past messages stay in your spam folder. You can manually move them back to your inbox if you want, but unblocking doesn't do this automatically.