The fastest way to block an email address depends on which service you use

Most email services let you block a sender in two or three clicks. On Gmail, you open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender]". On Outlook, you right-click the message and choose "Block". On Apple Mail, you click the sender's name and select "Block Contact". The blocked sender can still send messages — they just land in a folder you never see, and they won't get delivery confirmations or read receipts.

What blocking does not do: it does not notify the sender that you blocked them, it does not prevent them from creating a new email address to contact you, and it does not stop them from seeing your replies if you've already sent them. If someone is harassing you, blocking is a first step, but you may also need to report the messages or contact law enforcement depending on what they contain.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and Yahoo Mail all have block features built into their interfaces — you do not need a separate tool.
  • Blocked messages go to spam or a blocked folder, not to your inbox, but the sender does not receive a notification.
  • Blocking one email address does not stop someone from contacting you through a different address or account.
  • If you receive threats, harassment, or unwanted sexual content, you can report the messages to your email provider in addition to blocking.

How to block on Gmail

Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right of the message. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again.

Once blocked, all future messages from that address go to your spam folder automatically. You can see your blocked senders list by going to Settings, then Filters and Blocked Addresses, then the Blocked Addresses tab. If you change your mind, you can unblock someone from that same page by clicking the unblock icon next to their name.

How to block on Outlook and Outlook.com

Right-click the message from the sender you want to block. Select "Block" from the menu. Outlook will move the current message to your Junk folder and send all future messages from that address to Junk automatically.

You can also block someone by opening their message, clicking the three-dot menu at the top, and selecting "Block". To see your blocked senders or unblock someone, go to Settings, then Mail, then Junk Email, then Blocked Senders. Your blocked list appears there, and you can remove anyone from it if needed.

How to block on Apple Mail and iCloud Mail

On a Mac or iPhone, open the message from the sender you want to block. Click or tap the sender's name or email address at the top of the message. Select "Block Contact" from the menu that appears. The sender is now blocked.

On iCloud Mail through a web browser, open the message, click the sender's name, and choose "Block Contact". Blocked messages will not appear in your inbox. To unblock someone, go to Mail settings, click the Accounts tab, select your iCloud account, then click the Blocked Contacts section and remove the person's name.

How to block on Yahoo Mail

Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Select "Block sender" from the dropdown. Yahoo will confirm the block and move that message to spam.

All future messages from that address go to your spam folder. To manage your blocked senders, go to Settings, then Security and Privacy, then Blocked Addresses. You can see everyone you have blocked and remove them from the list if you change your mind.

What happens when you block someone

When you block an email address, the sender's messages stop appearing in your inbox. They typically land in a spam or blocked folder instead, depending on your email service. The sender does not receive a bounce-back message, a delivery failure notice, or any indication that you blocked them — from their perspective, the message was sent normally.

Blocking is permanent until you unblock the address. If the person sends you a message from a different email account, that message will arrive in your inbox normally because it comes from a different sender. Blocking one address does not block the person themselves if they have multiple email accounts.

When blocking is not enough

If someone is sending you threats, harassment, or unwanted sexual content, blocking alone may not be sufficient. Most email services let you report messages in addition to blocking. On Gmail, open the message and click the three-dot menu, then select "Report phishing" or "Report spam". On Outlook, right-click the message and choose "Report" then "Phishing" or "Junk". These reports help the email service identify patterns of abuse.

If the harassment is severe, includes threats of violence, or involves someone you know, contact your local police department or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Keep copies of the messages as evidence. Many email services will also close accounts that are used for harassment if you report them repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

No. The sender does not receive a notification, bounce-back message, or any other indication that you blocked them. From their perspective, their message was delivered normally. They would only know if they checked your social media or asked someone else about you.

What if the person creates a new email address?

Blocking one address does not prevent someone from contacting you through a different email account. You would need to block each new address separately as they arrive. If someone is repeatedly creating new accounts to contact you after you have blocked them, that behavior may cross into harassment and you should report it to your email provider or law enforcement.

Does blocking delete messages I already received?

No. Blocking only affects future messages. Messages you already received from that sender stay in your inbox or archive unless you delete them manually. If you want to remove them, you can search for that sender's address and delete all their messages at once.

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

Most consumer email services do not have a built-in feature to block entire domains. You can block individual addresses, but if someone has multiple accounts at the same company domain, you would need to block each one. Some email services offer filters or rules that can automatically delete or move messages from a specific domain, but this requires setting up a custom filter rather than using the block feature.

What is the difference between blocking and unsubscribing?

Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list — usually a newsletter or marketing emails — and the sender stops sending you messages. Blocking prevents messages from a specific address from reaching your inbox. If you receive unwanted marketing email, unsubscribing is usually the right choice. If you receive harassment or unwanted personal messages, blocking is the right choice.