The fastest way depends on which email service you use

Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block feature built in, but the steps are different for each one. The block button is usually in the email itself or in the sender's contact card. Once you block someone, their messages go straight to spam or a blocked folder, and they won't see read receipts or delivery confirmations from you.

Blocking stops new messages from that address from reaching your inbox. It does not delete old messages from that person — those stay in your email unless you delete them yourself. If the person sends from a different email address, that message will come through normally, because email systems block by address, not by person.

Key Takeaways

  • In Gmail, open the email, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender]" — blocked messages go to spam automatically.
  • Outlook's block button is in the email toolbar under "Junk" — choose "Block Sender" to send future messages to your junk folder.
  • Yahoo Mail has a block option in the message menu; blocked senders' mail goes to spam and you can unblock them anytime from settings.
  • Apple Mail on Mac and iPhone requires you to mark messages as junk first, then use the VIP or rules feature to filter that sender permanently.
  • Blocking works only for the email address you blocked — the person can still reach you from a different email account.

How to block someone in Gmail

Open any email from the person you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will move that sender's future messages straight to your spam folder.

To unblock someone in Gmail, go to Settings, click the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab, find the blocked address in the list, and click "Unblock" next to their name. You can also manage your blocked list from the same tab if you need to block or unblock multiple addresses at once.

How to block someone in Outlook

Open the email from the person you want to block. In the toolbar at the top, click "Junk" (or the trash/spam icon, depending on your version). Select "Block Sender" from the menu. Outlook will send all future messages from that address to your junk folder.

To unblock in Outlook, go to Settings, select "Mail," then "Junk email." Click "Blocked senders" and you will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Click the X next to any name to unblock them. Changes take effect when ready.

How to block someone in Yahoo Mail

Click on the email from the person you want to block. Look for the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right or next to the sender's name). Select "Block sender" or "Block" from the options. Yahoo will move their messages to spam and prevent future emails from reaching your inbox.

To unblock someone in Yahoo Mail, go to Settings, click "Security and privacy," then find "Blocked addresses." You will see a list of blocked senders. Click "Unblock" next to the person's name. Yahoo also lets you report messages as spam before blocking, which helps their system identify unwanted mail patterns.

How to block someone in Apple Mail

Apple Mail does not have a single "block" button like Gmail or Outlook. Instead, mark the email as junk by clicking "Junk" in the toolbar or swiping left on the message (on iPhone). After you mark a few messages from that sender as junk, Apple Mail learns to filter them automatically.

For more control, you can create a rule in Apple Mail on Mac: go to Mail menu, select "Preferences," click "Rules," then "Add Rule." Set it to filter emails from that sender's address into a specific folder or trash. On iPhone and iPad, you can also use the VIP list in reverse — mark the sender as "not VIP" and move their messages to a separate folder.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block an address, that sender's messages will no longer appear in your inbox. In most email services, blocked messages go to spam or a dedicated blocked folder where you can review them if needed. The sender will not receive a notification that you blocked them — their email will straightforward appear to send normally on their end, but they will not see read receipts or delivery confirmations from you.

If the person tries to contact you from a different email address, that message will come through to your inbox as normal. Blocking is tied to the specific email address, not to the person. If you want to block multiple addresses from the same person, you will need to block each one separately.

When blocking is not enough

If someone is sending you threatening, harassing, or abusive messages, blocking alone may not be enough. Save copies of the messages before blocking (take screenshots or export them), because you may need them if you report the person to law enforcement or your email provider. Most email services have a "Report spam" or "Report abuse" button alongside the block option — use both.

If the harassment continues from new addresses or escalates, contact your local police department or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. Keep a record of dates, times, and the content of messages. Your email provider can also see patterns of abuse across multiple accounts and may take action on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

No. When you block someone, their emails appear to send normally on their end, but they will not arrive in your inbox. They will not get a notification that you blocked them. However, if they notice you stop responding to their emails, they may suspect you blocked them.

If I block someone, will they see my old emails?

No. Blocking only affects new messages going forward. Old emails from that person stay in your inbox unless you delete them. If you want to remove old messages, you will need to delete them yourself or create a filter to move them to trash.

What if someone keeps emailing me from different addresses?

Block each address as it arrives. If the harassment is ongoing and coordinated, report it to your email provider's abuse team and consider filing a complaint with law enforcement. Most email services can see patterns of abuse and may take action against the account holder.

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

Most consumer email services do not have a built-in domain block feature. You can create a filter or rule to send all emails from a domain to spam, but the process varies by service. Gmail and Outlook both allow you to create filters based on sender domain in their advanced settings.

Will blocking someone stop them from seeing my calendar or shared files?

Blocking only affects email messages. If you have shared a Google Calendar, OneDrive folder, or other files with someone before blocking them, they will still have access unless you remove their permissions separately. Go to your sharing settings for each file or calendar and revoke their access.