The fastest way to block an email sender

Open the email from the sender you want to block. Look for a three-dot menu icon (in Gmail and Outlook) or a down arrow (in Apple Mail) near the top right of the message. Click it, then select "Block [sender's name]" or "Block Sender". The email disappears from your inbox, and future messages from that address go straight to spam or a blocked folder.

This takes about five seconds and works the same way across all major email services. You do not need to know anything about the sender's address or change any settings — the block happens when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking an email sender takes one click from the message itself — open the email, find the menu icon, and select block.
  • Blocked emails go to your spam or junk folder automatically, and you can unblock a sender anytime if you change your mind.
  • If you receive emails from multiple addresses that look similar, you may need to block each one separately or use a filter to catch variations.
  • Blocking works differently on mobile than on desktop, but the option is in the same menu location on both.

Blocking in Gmail on a computer

Open the email from the sender you want to block. In the top right corner of the message, click the three vertical dots (the menu icon). A dropdown menu appears with several options. Click "Block [sender's email address]".

Gmail moves the email to spam and creates a filter that sends all future messages from that address to spam automatically. If the sender uses multiple email addresses, you will need to block each one separately — Gmail does not block based on the person's name, only the exact email address.

Blocking in Outlook on a computer

Open the email from the sender. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the message. Select "Block" from the menu that appears. Outlook asks you to confirm — click "Block" again.

Outlook moves the sender to your blocked list and sends their future emails to the junk folder. If you want to see your full blocked list or unblock someone later, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), then "View all Outlook settings", then "Mail", then "Junk email". Your blocked senders appear under "Blocked Senders".

Blocking in Apple Mail on a Mac

Open the email from the sender. Click the mail icon in the top right of the message (it looks like an envelope with an arrow). Select "Block This Contact" from the menu.

Apple Mail adds the sender to your VIP blocklist. Their future emails go to your junk folder. To see your blocked contacts or unblock someone, open Apple Mail, go to "Mail" in the top menu, then "Preferences", then the "Junk Mail" tab. Click "Reset" if you want to clear your blocked list entirely.

Blocking on mobile phones

On an iPhone or Android phone, open the email and look for the three dots or menu icon (usually in the top right corner). Tap it and select "Block Sender" or "Block". The process is identical to desktop — the sender goes to spam and future emails are blocked.

If you cannot find the block option in your email app, try swiping left on the email (iPhone) or long-pressing it (Android). A menu with more options usually appears, including a block or spam button.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block a sender, their emails stop appearing in your inbox. They go to spam or a junk folder instead. You can still see them if you open your spam folder — blocking does not delete the emails, it just hides them from your main inbox.

If you change your mind, you can unblock the sender anytime. In Gmail, go to Settings, then "Filters and Blocked Addresses", find the sender's address, and click "Unblock". In Outlook, go to Settings, then "Junk email", find the sender under "Blocked Senders", and click the X next to their name. In Apple Mail, go to Preferences, then "Junk Mail", and remove them from the list.

When blocking does not work

If you block someone and still receive emails from them, they may be using a different email address. Scammers and spammers often create new addresses when one gets blocked. Block each new address as it arrives, or use a filter to catch emails with similar patterns.

In Gmail, you can create a filter that catches emails with certain words in the subject line or sender field. Go to Settings, then "Filters and Blocked Addresses", then "Create a new filter". Type the word or phrase you want to block (like a company name a scammer keeps using), then select "Delete" or "Skip the Inbox". This catches variations of the address automatically.

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 your spam folder, and they have no way to know whether you blocked them, marked them as spam, or just never read their message.

What is the difference between blocking and marking as spam?

Blocking creates a permanent filter for that sender's address. Marking as spam tells your email service that one message is unwanted, but does not block future messages from that address. Blocking is stronger and more permanent.

If I block someone, will they see my out-of-office message?

No. Blocked emails go straight to spam without triggering your out-of-office reply. Your email service treats them as if they never reached your account.

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

Not through the block button, but you can create a filter. In Gmail, create a filter with the domain name (like @fakebusiness.com) in the "From" field, then delete or skip those emails. Outlook and Apple Mail have similar filter options in their settings.

What if I blocked someone by mistake?

You can unblock them when ready. Find the sender in your blocked list (in Settings or Preferences, depending on your email service), and click unblock or remove. Their future emails will go to your inbox again.