The fastest way depends on which email service you use

Most email providers let you block a sender in one or two clicks, and the blocked person cannot tell they are blocked. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block feature built in. The exact steps differ slightly between services, but the result is the same: their messages go straight to spam or a blocked folder, and you will not see notifications when they arrive.

Blocking is not the same as unsubscribing. When you unsubscribe from a mailing list, you are asking the sender to remove you from their distribution. When you block, you are telling your email service to filter out that sender's messages whether they want to reach you or not. Blocking works even if someone keeps sending after you have asked them to stop.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have block features accessible from the message itself or the sender's contact card.
  • Blocked messages typically go to spam or a dedicated blocked folder, and you will not receive notifications when they arrive.
  • Blocking a sender does not delete their past messages — you can still search for them if you need to find something they sent before.
  • If someone is harassing you across multiple email addresses, blocking individual addresses is a temporary measure; consider reporting to your email provider or local authorities if the behavior escalates.

How to block in Gmail

Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right of the message. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown. Gmail will move that sender's future messages to spam automatically.

If you have already deleted the message, you can still block the sender by going to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), clicking "See all settings," then the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. Click "Create a new filter," enter the email address in the "From" field, click "Create filter," then check the box for "Delete it" or "Skip the Inbox (Archive it)." Click "Create filter" to confirm.

How to block in Outlook (web and desktop)

In Outlook on the web, open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three-dot menu at the top of the message and select "Block." Outlook will move future messages from that sender to your Junk folder.

In Outlook desktop (Windows or Mac), right-click the message and select "Junk" then "Block Sender." You can also open the message, go to the Home tab, click "Junk," and select "Block Sender." Messages from blocked senders will go to your Junk folder automatically.

How to block in Yahoo Mail

Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon next to the sender's name. Select "Block." Yahoo Mail will send future messages from that address to spam.

You can also manage blocked senders by clicking the gear icon in the top right, selecting "Settings," then the "Security and privacy" tab. Scroll to "Blocked addresses" and add email addresses manually if needed.

How to block in Apple Mail (iCloud)

Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the sender's name or email address at the top of the message. A contact card will appear. Click the three-dot menu and select "Block Contact." Future messages from that address will go to your VIP or blocked folder depending on your settings.

On an iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message from the sender you want to block, tap the trash icon, then tap "Block This Contact" when the option appears.

What happens to messages after you block someone

Blocked messages do not disappear from your inbox automatically. They go to spam, junk, or a blocked folder depending on your email service. You can still search for old messages from that sender if you need to find something they sent before you blocked them.

The blocked sender cannot see that they are blocked. Their messages will not bounce back to them or generate a delivery failure notice. From their perspective, they straightforward will not know whether you are reading their emails or not.

When blocking is not enough

If someone is sending threatening messages, harassing you repeatedly, or using multiple email addresses to contact you after you have asked them to stop, blocking individual addresses becomes impractical. Most email providers have a report feature alongside the block feature. In Gmail, you can mark messages as spam or phishing. In Outlook, you can report junk. Reporting helps your email provider identify patterns of abuse.

If the harassment involves threats of violence, stalking, or other criminal behavior, save the messages and report them to local law enforcement. Many police departments have cybercrime or online harassment units that can investigate. You can also report severe harassment to your email provider's abuse team directly — each service has a form or email address for reporting abuse that goes beyond spam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I have blocked them?

No. Blocked senders will not receive a notification, and their messages will not bounce back to them. They may notice you are not responding, but they cannot confirm through the email system itself that you have blocked them.

If I block someone, will their old messages disappear?

No. Blocking only affects new messages going forward. Old emails from that sender remain in your inbox or archive unless you delete them manually. You can still search for them if you need to find something they sent before you blocked them.

What if someone creates a new email address to contact me after I block them?

You will need to block the new address separately. If this happens repeatedly, report the pattern to your email provider's abuse team. Most services can identify coordinated harassment across multiple accounts and take action against the sender's account.

Is blocking the same as unsubscribing from a mailing list?

No. Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list that the sender controls. Blocking tells your email service to filter out that sender's messages regardless of whether they want to reach you. Use unsubscribe for legitimate mailing lists and block for unwanted contact.

Can I unblock someone after I have blocked them?

Yes. In Gmail, go to Settings, "Filters and Blocked Addresses," and click "Unblock" next to the address. In Outlook, go to Settings, "Mail," then "Junk email," and remove the address from the blocked list. In Yahoo and Apple Mail, access blocked addresses through Settings and remove them from the blocked list.