The fastest way depends on your email provider
Most email services let you block senders in two or three clicks. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block button built into each message — you do not need to dig through settings. The exact location changes slightly between providers, but the result is the same: emails from that address go straight to spam or a blocked folder, and you will not see notifications.
Blocking is different from unsubscribing. When you unsubscribe from a mailing list, you are asking the sender to remove you from their list. When you block, you are telling your email provider to filter out that sender's messages whether they want to reach you or not. Blocking works even if the sender keeps trying.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block button in the message itself — open the email, click the three-dot menu or flag icon, and select block or report spam.
- Blocked emails go to your spam folder automatically, and you can unblock a sender later if you change your mind.
- If someone is harassing you, report the message as spam or abuse before blocking, so your provider has a record.
- Blocking one email address does not stop someone from reaching you through a different address, so you may need to block multiple addresses from the same person.
How to block in Gmail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (the menu icon). A dropdown will appear with several options — click "Block [sender's name]". Gmail will move that message to spam and automatically send all future emails from that address to your spam folder.
If you want to report the sender for abuse or phishing at the same time, click "Report spam" instead of just "Block". This tells Google about the problem and helps protect other Gmail users. You can do both: report first, then block.
To unblock someone later, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), click "See all settings", then go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. Find the blocked address in the list and click "Unblock".
How to block in Outlook and Outlook.com
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the message. Select "Block" from the menu. Outlook will move the message to your Junk folder and filter future emails from that sender to Junk automatically.
If you are using Outlook on a desktop computer (not the web version), right-click the sender's name in the message and choose "Block Sender". The result is the same — future emails go to Junk.
To unblock, go to Settings, then "Mail" and "Junk email". Scroll down to "Blocked senders" and you will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Click the X next to any name to unblock them.
How to block in Yahoo Mail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots in the toolbar at the top of the message. Select "Block sender". Yahoo will move that email to spam and filter all future messages from that address to your spam folder.
You can also hover over the sender's name at the top of the email and click the block icon (it looks like a circle with a line through it) if you see it appear.
To unblock someone, go to Settings (the gear icon), then "Privacy and security", then "Blocked addresses". You will see your list of blocked senders. Click the X next to any address to unblock.
How to block in Apple Mail
Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click "Mail" in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select "Block Sender". Apple Mail will move the message to your Trash and filter future emails from that address to Trash automatically.
On an iPhone or iPad, open the email, tap the sender's name or email address at the top, then tap "Block this Contact". This blocks the sender across Mail, Messages, and FaceTime on that device.
To unblock on a Mac, go to Mail Preferences (Mail menu, then Preferences), click the "Junk Mail" tab, then "Reset". This clears your blocked list. There is no way to unblock a single address without resetting all of them, so use this carefully.
What happens after you block someone
Once you block an email address, all messages from that sender go to your spam or junk folder. You will not see notifications, and the messages will not clutter your inbox. Most email providers keep blocked messages in spam for 30 days before deleting them automatically, so you can still retrieve them if you need to.
Blocking one address does not stop someone from creating a new email account and sending you messages from a different address. If the same person keeps contacting you from multiple addresses, you will need to block each one separately. If the harassment continues or escalates, save the messages and report them to your email provider's abuse team, or contact local law enforcement if you feel threatened.
When to report instead of just blocking
If an email looks like a phishing attempt (asking for passwords, banking information, or personal details), or if someone is harassing or threatening you, report the message as spam or abuse before you block. Click "Report spam", "Report phishing", or "Report abuse" depending on what your email provider offers. This creates a record that helps your provider identify patterns and protect other users.
Reporting takes the same number of clicks as blocking and gives your email provider information they need. If you just block without reporting, the sender might continue targeting other people. If you report, your provider can investigate and potentially shut down the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked sender tell that I blocked them?
No. When you block someone, they do not receive a notification. Their emails straightforward go to spam or junk, and they have no way to know whether you blocked them, marked them as spam, or just never read their message.
What if I blocked someone by mistake?
You can unblock them in your email settings. The process varies by provider — Gmail uses Filters and Blocked Addresses, Outlook uses Junk Email settings, Yahoo uses Privacy and Security settings, and Apple Mail requires a full reset. Once you unblock, their future emails will go to your inbox normally again.
Does blocking stop text messages or phone calls?
No. Email blocking only affects email. If someone is contacting you by text or phone, you will need to block them through your phone's settings or your phone carrier. Most phones have a built-in block feature in the Phone or Messages app.
Can I block an entire domain instead of one email address?
Most email providers do not have a straightforward block-by-domain feature in the main interface, but you can create a filter or rule that sends all emails from a domain to spam. In Gmail, go to Filters and Blocked Addresses and create a filter for emails from "@companyname.com". In Outlook, use the Junk Email rules to block a domain. The exact steps vary, so check your provider's help section.
What if someone is harassing me through email?
Block the address first, then report the messages to your email provider's abuse team. Save copies of the threatening emails before you delete them. If the harassment is severe or includes threats of violence, contact local police and provide them with the email records. Your email provider may be able to help law enforcement investigate.