The fastest way depends on which email service you use
Most email services let you block senders in one or two clicks from the message itself. In Gmail, open the email, click the three dots in the top right, and select "Block [sender]." In Outlook, right-click the message and choose "Junk" then "Block Sender." Yahoo Mail has a similar option under the three-dot menu. Apple Mail on Mac and iPhone blocks senders through the message details. The blocked sender's future emails go straight to spam or a blocked folder, and you won't see notifications from them.
If you use a different email service, the principle is the same: find the message from that sender, look for a menu or options button, and choose block or report spam. The exact wording and location change, but every major email provider has this feature built in.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking an email address sends that sender's future messages to spam automatically, so you never see them in your inbox.
- Most email services let you block a sender directly from an open message using a menu button or right-click option.
- Blocking is different from unsubscribing — blocking stops all mail from that address, while unsubscribing only removes you from mailing lists.
- If a blocked sender creates a new email address, you will need to block that address separately.
How to block in Gmail
Open any email from the sender you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the message. A dropdown menu appears. Select "Block [sender's name]." Gmail will ask you to confirm. Click "Block" again, and the sender is blocked.
From that point forward, emails from that address go to your spam folder automatically. You can still see them if you check spam, but they won't clutter your inbox or send you notifications. If you change your mind, you can unblock the sender by going to Settings, then Filters and Blocked Addresses, finding the blocked address, and clicking "Unblock."
How to block in Outlook and Outlook.com
Right-click on the email from the sender you want to block. A context menu appears. Hover over or click "Junk," then select "Block Sender." Outlook moves the message to your Junk folder and sends all future emails from that address there automatically.
On Outlook.com (the web version), you can also click the three dots at the top of the message and select "Junk" then "Block." To unblock someone, go to Settings, then Mail, then Junk Email, and look for the Blocked Senders list. Find the address and remove it.
How to block in Yahoo Mail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots (more options) at the top right of the message. Select "Block sender." Yahoo confirms the block and routes future emails from that address to spam.
To see your blocked senders or unblock someone, go to Settings, then Security and Privacy, then Blocked Addresses. You can add addresses manually here as well, even if you have never received an email from them.
How to block in Apple Mail
On Mac, open the email and click the sender's name or email address at the top of the message. A small menu appears. Click "Block Contact." On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message in your inbox, tap the trash icon, then tap "Report Junk" — this blocks the sender and marks the message as spam.
Blocked senders' messages go to your Junk folder. To unblock someone on Mac, go to Mail menu, then Preferences, then Junk Mail, and look for the list of blocked senders. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Mail, then Blocked Contacts.
The difference between blocking and unsubscribing
Blocking stops all emails from an address. Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list — usually newsletters, promotional emails, or notifications from services you signed up for. Many legitimate emails include an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom. Clicking it removes your address from that sender's list, but it does not block them.
If you receive unwanted emails from a business or service, unsubscribing is usually the right first step. If the sender ignores unsubscribe requests or you receive emails from someone harassing you, then block them. Blocking is more permanent and complete.
What happens when you block someone
Blocked senders' emails go to your spam or junk folder instead of your inbox. You won't receive notifications or alerts from them. The sender does not receive a notification that they have been blocked — their email straightforward disappears from your view. They may not realize you blocked them unless they check whether their emails are reaching you.
If a blocked sender creates a new email address and sends you a message from it, that new address is not automatically blocked. You will see the message and can block the new address separately. This is why blocking is less effective against persistent harassment than reporting to your email provider or law enforcement.
When to report instead of just blocking
If you receive threatening, abusive, or sexually explicit emails, blocking alone may not be enough. Most email services have a "Report Spam" or "Report Abuse" option alongside the block button. Using it sends the message to your email provider's abuse team, who can investigate and take action against the sender's account.
If someone is harassing you repeatedly, save the emails and report them to your email provider. If the harassment involves threats or criminal behavior, you can also report it to law enforcement. Your email provider can see patterns of abuse across many users and may suspend or close the sender's account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked sender tell that I blocked them?
No. The blocked sender does not receive a notification. Their emails straightforward fail to reach your inbox, and they may not realize you blocked them unless they check whether you are responding to their messages.
What if a blocked sender creates a new email address?
You will see emails from the new address because it is a different sender. You can block the new address the same way you blocked the first one. If someone repeatedly creates new addresses to contact you, report the pattern to your email provider's abuse team.
Can I block an email address without opening a message from them?
Yes. Most email services let you add addresses to a blocked list manually through settings. In Gmail, go to Settings, Filters and Blocked Addresses, and click "Create a new filter." In Outlook, go to Junk Email settings and add the address to Blocked Senders. You do not need to receive an email first.
Does blocking someone on email block them on other services?
No. Blocking an email address only affects that email service. If someone messages you on social media, texts you, or calls you, blocking their email does not affect those channels. You would need to block them separately on each platform.
Can I unblock someone after blocking them?
Yes. Every email service lets you view your blocked senders list and remove addresses from it. The process varies — Gmail uses Filters and Blocked Addresses, Outlook uses Junk Email settings, Yahoo uses Blocked Addresses in Security settings — but all of them allow you to unblock people.