Yes, you can block email addresses in every major email service

Every email provider — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Apple Mail — has a built-in blocking feature that stops messages from a specific sender from reaching your inbox. When you block someone, their emails go to spam or a blocked folder instead, and they won't know you blocked them. The person can still send messages; you just won't see them arrive.

Blocking is different from unsubscribing. Unsubscribe removes you from a mailing list (newsletters, promotional emails). Blocking stops all mail from one person or address. If someone is harassing you, sending unwanted messages, or you straightforward don't want to hear from them, blocking is the right tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking an email address sends that person's future messages to spam or a blocked folder, but they won't know you blocked them.
  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have block features accessible from the sender's message or contact card.
  • Blocking only affects new messages; old emails from that person stay in your inbox unless you delete them manually.
  • If someone switches email addresses and contacts you again, you can block the new address separately.

How to block email in Gmail

Open the message from the person you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon 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.

You can also block someone from their contact card. Search for their name in your contacts, open their card, click the three-dot menu, and choose "Block." If you change your mind later, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Blocked addresses, find the person, and click "Unblock."

How to block email in Outlook

Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three-dot menu (More actions) at the top right. Select "Block" from the menu. Outlook will send future emails from that address to your Junk folder.

To unblock someone in Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email. Scroll to "Blocked senders" and you'll see a list of all blocked addresses. Click the X next to any name to remove them from the blocked list.

How to block email in Yahoo Mail and Apple Mail

In Yahoo Mail, open the message and click the three-dot menu icon. Select "Block sender." Yahoo moves blocked emails to spam. To unblock, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Blocked addresses and remove the person from the list.

In Apple Mail on Mac, open the message and click the Mail menu at the top, then select "Block Sender." On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message, tap the trash icon, then tap "Block this Contact." Blocked senders' emails go to the Trash folder. To unblock, go to Settings > Mail > VIP and blocked contacts, find the person, and tap "Unblock."

What happens to old emails after you block someone

Blocking only affects new messages going forward. Emails that person already sent you stay in your inbox, sent folder, or wherever they are. If you want them gone, you have to delete them yourself. You can search for their name or email address, select all their messages, and delete them in bulk.

Some people block a sender first, then go back and delete the old conversation. Others leave the old messages alone. The choice is yours — blocking doesn't automatically erase the past.

What to do if someone blocks you or keeps contacting you

If you've blocked someone and they create a new email address to contact you, you can block that address too. Each address has to be blocked separately. If the harassment continues across multiple addresses, most email providers let you report the messages as spam or abuse. In Gmail, click the three-dot menu and select "Report spam" or "Report phishing." In Outlook, click "Junk" then "Block."

If the contact is threatening, harassing, or illegal, save the messages and report them to your email provider's abuse team. You can also contact local law enforcement if you feel unsafe. Email providers take harassment seriously and may take action beyond blocking.

Blocking email on your phone or tablet

Most email apps on phones work the same way as the desktop version. In Gmail on Android or iPhone, open the message, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender]." In Outlook mobile, open the message, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Block." In Yahoo Mail mobile, swipe left on the message and tap "Block."

Apple Mail on iPhone and iPad is slightly different: swipe left on the message, tap the trash icon, then tap "Block this Contact." The process is fast and works the same way — future emails from that person go to spam or a blocked folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

No. When you block someone, they won't receive a notification. Their emails just go to spam or a blocked folder on your end. They may eventually notice you're not responding, but they won't know for certain that you blocked them.

Can I block an entire domain or company?

Most email services don't have a built-in feature to block an entire domain at once. You have to block individual email addresses. However, Gmail and Outlook let you create filters or rules that automatically send emails from a domain to spam. Search your email provider's help for "create a filter" or "set up a rule" to learn how.

What if I block someone by mistake?

You can unblock them anytime. In Gmail, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses. In Outlook, go to Settings > Junk email > Blocked senders. In Yahoo Mail, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Blocked addresses. Find the person and click unblock or remove.

Does blocking someone on email block them on other platforms?

No. Blocking an email address only affects that email service. If you want to block someone on social media, messaging apps, or other platforms, you have to block them separately on each one.

Can I block emails by subject line or keyword?

Not directly through blocking, but you can create filters or rules. In Gmail, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter. In Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Rules. You can set up a rule to automatically send emails with certain words or phrases to spam without blocking the sender.