How to block an email address depends on which email service you use

Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have built-in blocking features, but the steps differ slightly between them. Blocking stops emails from a specific address from reaching your inbox — they go to spam or a blocked folder instead. The person sending the email won't be notified that you've blocked them, and you won't see their messages unless you check the spam folder.

You don't need to read anything or change your password. The block happens on your email account itself, so it works on any device where you sign in — your phone, tablet, or computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail blocks senders by opening their email, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Block [sender]".
  • Outlook requires you to right-click the sender's name in your inbox and choose "Block" from the menu.
  • Apple Mail blocks senders through the Mail menu at the top of your screen, then "Preferences" and the "Junk Mail" tab.
  • Blocked emails go to spam or a junk folder, not deleted, so you can unblock someone later if needed.
  • If someone creates a new email address to contact you after being blocked, you'll need to block that address separately.

Blocking someone in Gmail

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

Gmail will ask you to confirm. Click "Block" again. From that moment, any email from that address goes straight to your spam folder. If you change your mind later, you can unblock them by going to Settings, then the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab, finding their name in the blocked list, and clicking "Unblock".

Blocking someone in Outlook (web and desktop)

In Outlook on the web, open your inbox and find an email from the person you want to block. Right-click their name or email address. A menu appears with options including "Block". Click it. Outlook will move their current emails to your junk folder and send future emails there automatically.

In Outlook on your computer (Windows or Mac), the process is the same: right-click the sender's name in your inbox and select "Block". If you want to unblock them later, go to Settings, then "Mail", then "Junk email", and look for "Blocked senders" — you can remove their address from that list.

Blocking someone in Apple Mail

Apple Mail's blocking feature works differently depending on whether you're on a Mac or iPhone. On a Mac, open Mail and click "Mail" in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select "Preferences". Click the "Junk Mail" tab. Check the box that says "Filter junk mail". Then open an email from the person you want to block, click "Mail" again, and select "Block Sender".

On an iPhone or iPad, open the email from the person you want to block. Tap the sender's name at the top of the email, then tap "Block this Contact". Apple Mail will move their emails to the trash folder. To unblock someone, go to Settings on your device, scroll to Mail, tap "Blocked", and swipe left on their name to remove them.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block an address, their emails stop appearing in your inbox. In Gmail and Outlook, blocked emails go to spam. In Apple Mail, they go to trash. You can still see these emails if you check those folders, but they won't alert you with notifications.

The person who is blocked won't receive a message saying you blocked them. Their email will straightforward appear to send normally from their perspective — they won't know it didn't reach your inbox. If they contact you through another email address, that address won't be blocked unless you block it separately.

Unblocking someone if you change your mind

All three email services let you unblock someone. In Gmail, go to Settings, click "Filters and Blocked Addresses", find the person's name, and click "Unblock". In Outlook, go to Settings, then "Mail", then "Junk email", find "Blocked senders", and remove their address. In Apple Mail on Mac, go to Preferences, Junk Mail, and uncheck the sender's name if it appears there; on iPhone, go to Settings, Mail, Blocked, and swipe left to remove them.

Once you unblock someone, their emails will start reaching your inbox again. Any emails they sent while blocked will still be in your spam or trash folder — unblocking doesn't recover those messages automatically.

When blocking isn't enough

If someone creates a new email address to contact you after you've blocked them, you'll need to block that new address separately. Blocking works on a per-address basis, not per person. If the unwanted contact continues after blocking multiple addresses, consider reporting the emails as spam or harassment to your email provider — they can investigate patterns of abuse.

Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have abuse reporting features. In Gmail, click the three-dot menu and select "Report spam" or "Report phishing". In Outlook, right-click the email and choose "Report". In Apple Mail, select the email and click "Mail" in the menu, then "Junk". Reporting helps the email service identify and stop coordinated harassment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

No. Their emails will appear to send normally from their end. They won't receive a notification that you blocked them. The only way they'd know is if they try to contact you through another method and you tell them.

Can I block multiple email addresses at once?

You have to block each address individually in Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail. There's no bulk-blocking feature. If someone is using many addresses to contact you, report the pattern to your email provider's abuse team rather than blocking each one separately.

What if I accidentally block someone I didn't mean to?

You can unblock them when ready. In Gmail, go to Settings and "Filters and Blocked Addresses". In Outlook, go to Settings, Mail, and "Junk email". In Apple Mail, go to Preferences or Settings depending on your device. Find their name and remove the block. They'll be able to email you again right away.

Do blocked emails get deleted?

No. Blocked emails go to your spam or junk folder, not deleted. You can still read them if you check that folder. They're just hidden from your main inbox and won't send you notifications.

If I block someone on my phone, are they blocked on my computer too?

Yes, as long as you're using the same email account on both devices. The block is tied to your email account, not the device. When you block someone in Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail, the block applies everywhere you sign in with that account.