The fastest way depends on your email service

Most email services let you block a sender in one or two clicks, but the exact steps change depending on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider. The blocked sender's messages will either go to spam automatically or disappear entirely — you won't see them in your inbox. Some services also let you unblock someone later if you change your mind.

The process is different on a phone than on a computer, and some services offer more control than others. If you're being harassed or receiving threats, blocking is a first step, but you may also want to report the messages to your email provider or to law enforcement depending on what they contain.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all have a block button in the message itself — open the email, click the three-dot menu, and select block or report spam.
  • Blocked senders' messages go to your spam folder automatically, so you can still see them if you need to, but they won't clutter your inbox.
  • Blocking works at the email address level, so if someone creates a new email account, that address won't be blocked until you block it too.
  • You can unblock someone later through your settings if you decide you want to receive their messages again.

Blocking in Gmail

Open the email from the person 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, that sender's future emails go straight to your spam folder. You can still see them if you check spam, but they won't show up in your inbox. If you change your mind, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), click See all settings, go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, find the blocked address, and click Unblock.

Blocking in Outlook

Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions) in the message toolbar. Select Block or Junk depending on your version of Outlook. A menu will appear asking whether you want to block the sender or block the sender and report the message as phishing — choose Block unless the email looks like a scam.

Blocked messages go to your Junk folder automatically. To unblock someone in Outlook, go to Settings, select Mail, then Junk email, and look for Blocked senders. Click the sender's address and choose Remove from blocked list.

Blocking in Yahoo Mail

Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots in the top right of the message. Select Block sender. Yahoo will move the message to spam and block future emails from that address.

To unblock someone in Yahoo, click the gear icon in the top right, select Settings, go to Security and privacy, and find Blocked addresses. Click the address you want to unblock and select Remove.

What happens when you block someone

When you block an email address, the sender doesn't get a notification that they've been blocked. Their messages still go somewhere — usually to your spam folder — but you won't see them in your inbox. The sender won't know whether their message was delivered, bounced, or blocked.

Blocking is address-specific, not person-specific. If someone creates a new email account and emails you from that address, it won't be blocked. You'll have to block the new address separately. This is why blocking works well for unwanted newsletters or one-time spam, but may not stop someone determined to contact you.

When blocking isn't enough

If someone is sending you threatening, harassing, or abusive messages, blocking them is a good first step, but you should also report the messages to your email provider. Most services have a Report phishing or Report abuse button in the message menu. Reporting helps the provider identify patterns and take action against the sender's account.

If the messages contain threats of violence, stalking, or other criminal behavior, you can also report them to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Save the messages before deleting them — you may need them as evidence. Some email providers will also help law enforcement if you file a police report.

Blocking on your phone

The steps are similar on a phone, but the menu buttons look different. In Gmail on iPhone or Android, open the email, tap the three dots at the top, and select Block [sender]. In Outlook on a phone, open the email, tap the three dots, and select Block. In Yahoo Mail, open the email, tap the three dots, and select Block sender.

The blocked sender's messages will go to spam on your phone just as they do on a computer. You can unblock someone through your email provider's website on a computer — most phone apps don't have an unblock option, so you may need to use a web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I block know that I blocked them?

No. The sender won't receive a notification that they've been blocked. Their message will either go to spam or disappear, but they won't know which happened. They may figure it out if they never get a reply and their messages keep going unanswered, but the email system itself won't tell them.

Can someone I blocked email me from a different address?

Yes. Blocking works on a per-address basis. If the person creates a new email account, that address won't be blocked until you block it separately. If you're being harassed by someone using multiple addresses, report the pattern to your email provider — they may be able to take action against the person's accounts.

Can I see messages from someone I blocked?

Yes, they go to your spam folder. You can still read them if you check spam, but they won't show up in your inbox. This is useful if you blocked someone by mistake and want to read what they sent, or if you need to review messages for evidence of harassment.

What's the difference between blocking and reporting spam?

Blocking stops future messages from that address from reaching your inbox. Reporting spam tells your email provider that the message is unwanted, which helps them identify patterns and improve their spam filters. You can do both at the same time — most email services let you block and report in the same action.

If I unblock someone, will I see their old messages?

No. Unblocking only stops the blocking from that point forward. Messages that were already sent to spam will stay in spam unless you move them back to your inbox manually. If you want to see what they sent while they were blocked, you'll need to check your spam folder.