Yes, you can block an email address in every major email service
Blocking an email address stops messages from that sender from reaching your inbox. Instead, they go to spam or a blocked folder where you do not see them. The process takes seconds and works the same way across Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail — you find the message, click a block or report button, and you are done.
The blocked sender cannot tell they have been blocked. They will not receive a bounce-back message. Their emails straightforward disappear from your view. If you change your mind later, you can unblock them just as quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking an email address sends future messages from that sender to spam or a blocked folder automatically.
- The process differs slightly between Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, but all take less than a minute.
- You can unblock an address at any time if you decide you want to receive messages from that sender again.
- Blocking one email address does not stop someone from contacting you through a different address or account.
- If you are receiving many unwanted messages, marking them as spam trains your email filter to catch similar messages in the future.
How to block in Gmail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the message. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the menu. Gmail will move that message and all future ones from that address to your spam folder automatically.
If you have already deleted the message, you can still block the sender. Go to your spam folder, find a message from them, open it, and follow the same steps. You can also block someone by right-clicking their name in your contact list and selecting "Block".
How to block in Outlook
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots at the top of the message. Select "Block" or "Junk" depending on your version. Outlook will send future messages from that address to your junk folder.
On the web version of Outlook, you can also go to Settings, then Mail, then Junk Email, and manually enter the email address you want to block in the "Blocked Senders" list. This method works if you do not have an existing message from that sender.
How to block in Yahoo Mail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots or the trash icon at the top of the message. Select "Block sender" from the menu. Yahoo will move that message and all future ones to your spam folder.
You can also manage your blocked list directly. Go to Settings, then Security and Privacy, then Blocked Addresses. From there you can add email addresses manually or remove addresses you have previously blocked.
How to block in Apple Mail
On an iPhone or iPad, open the email from the sender you want to block. Tap the sender's name at the top of the message, then tap "Block This Contact". On a Mac, right-click the sender's name and select "Block Contact" from the menu. Apple Mail will move future messages to a separate folder.
If you are using iCloud Mail on the web, open the message, click the three dots, and select "Block sender". The process is the same across all Apple devices linked to your iCloud account.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block an address, all future messages from that sender go to spam or a blocked folder. You will not see notifications for their emails. The sender does not receive any notification that they have been blocked — their message straightforward does not reach your inbox.
Blocking is not permanent. You can unblock an address at any time by going to your spam or blocked folder, finding a message from that sender, and selecting "Unblock" or "Not spam". Once unblocked, their future messages will return to your inbox normally.
Keep in mind that blocking one email address stops only that specific address. If someone has multiple email accounts, they can contact you from a different one. If you are dealing with repeated harassment from multiple addresses, you may want to report the messages as spam rather than just blocking them, which helps train your email filter.
When blocking is not enough
Blocking works well for occasional unwanted emails from people you know or single spam senders. If you are receiving many messages from the same person across different email addresses, or if the messages contain threats, blocking alone may not solve the problem.
In those cases, you can report the messages as spam or phishing to your email provider. This helps their systems learn to catch similar messages for all users. If the messages are threatening or harassing, you can also save them as evidence and report the behavior to local law enforcement or to the platform where the person contacted you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
No. When you block an email address, the sender does not receive a notification or bounce-back message. Their emails straightforward disappear from your inbox. They have no way of knowing whether you blocked them, deleted them, or never received them.
What is the difference between blocking and marking as spam?
Blocking sends all future messages from that address to spam or a blocked folder. Marking as spam tells your email provider that the message is unwanted, which trains the filter to catch similar messages in the future. You can do both — mark the current message as spam and then block the sender.
Can I block an email address if I do not have a message from them?
Yes, but the method depends on your email service. Gmail and Apple Mail require you to have received a message first. Outlook and Yahoo Mail let you add addresses directly to your blocked list through Settings without needing an existing message.
If I unblock someone, will I see their old messages?
No. Unblocking only affects future messages. Any emails that were sent while the address was blocked remain in your spam or blocked folder. You would need to manually move them back to your inbox if you want to see them.
What should I do if someone keeps contacting me from different email addresses?
Block each address as it appears. If the pattern continues, report the messages as spam or phishing to your email provider. If the messages are threatening, save them and contact local law enforcement. Most email services also have options to report abuse or harassment directly.