The fastest way depends on which email service you use
Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all have a block feature built in, but the steps are slightly different for each one. The goal is the same: messages from that sender go straight to spam or a blocked folder, and you won't see notifications when they arrive. You don't need to read anything or change your password — it takes about 30 seconds per address.
Blocking is not the same as unsubscribing. If you get marketing emails and see an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom, that removes you from a mailing list. Blocking is for unwanted messages from a specific person or address, whether or not they're trying to sell you something.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail each have a built-in block button; the exact location differs but the process takes under a minute.
- Blocking sends future messages to spam automatically, but does not delete messages already in your inbox.
- If you block someone by mistake, you can unblock them from the same menu where you blocked them.
- Some email services let you block by domain (anyone from a company) rather than just one address, which is useful if you're getting spam from multiple addresses at the same organization.
How to block in Gmail
Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will ask you to confirm; click "Block" again.
From that moment on, any message from that address goes to your Spam folder automatically. If you change your mind, open any message from that sender, click the three dots again, and select "Unblock [sender's name]".
How to block in Outlook (web and desktop)
On the web: Open the message and click the three dots in the top right. Select "Block" from the menu. Outlook will move that message to Spam and send all future messages from that address there too.
On desktop (Windows or Mac): Right-click the message and select "Junk" or "Block". On some versions you may need to click "Junk" first, then "Block Sender". Future messages from that address will land in your Junk folder.
To unblock, go to Settings (the gear icon), then "Mail" > "Junk email". Find the blocked address in the "Blocked senders" list and click the X next to it.
How to block in Yahoo Mail
Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Block sender". Yahoo will confirm the block and move that message to Spam.
All future messages from that address will go to Spam automatically. To unblock, go to Settings (the gear icon), then "Security and privacy" > "Blocked addresses". Find the address and click "Unblock".
How to block in Apple Mail (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
On iPhone or iPad: Open the message. Tap the sender's name or email address at the top. Tap "Block this Contact" (or "Report Junk" if that option appears first). Confirm your choice.
On Mac: Open the message. Click the sender's name or email address. A small menu will appear; select "Block Contact". Confirm the block. Messages from that address will go to your Junk folder.
To unblock on any Apple device, go to Settings > Mail > VIP or Blocked Contacts (depending on your device), find the address, and swipe left (iPhone/iPad) or right-click and delete (Mac).
What happens after you block an address
The sender will not be notified that you blocked them. They won't see a bounce-back message or any indication that their emails aren't reaching you — from their perspective, messages straightforward go unsent or unanswered.
Messages that already arrived before you blocked the address will stay in your inbox unless you delete them. Blocking only affects new messages. If you want to clean up old messages from that sender, you can search for their address and delete those messages manually, or move them to trash in bulk.
When blocking is not enough
If you're receiving many messages from different addresses that look similar or come from the same organization, blocking one address at a time will take a long time. Gmail and Outlook both let you create filters or rules that catch messages by keyword, sender domain, or subject line and send them straight to spam.
If you're being harassed or threatened, blocking is a first step, but you should also save copies of the messages and report them to your email provider's abuse team. Most services have a "Report phishing" or "Report abuse" option in the same menu where the block button is. If the harassment is serious or involves threats, contact local law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the person I blocked see that I blocked them?
No. They will not receive any notification. Their messages will appear to send normally from their end, but you won't see them. They may eventually notice you're not responding, but the email service itself won't tell them they're blocked.
What if I block someone by mistake?
You can unblock them when ready using the same menu where you blocked them. In Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, look for "Blocked senders" or "Blocked contacts" in Settings, find the address, and click the option to unblock or remove it.
Will blocking delete the messages they already sent me?
No. Blocking only stops new messages from arriving. Old messages stay in your inbox unless you delete them yourself. You can search for the sender's address and delete old messages in bulk if you want to clean them up.
Can I block an entire company or domain instead of one person?
Gmail and Outlook support domain-level blocking through filters or rules. In Gmail, create a filter for messages from "@companyname.com" and send them to spam. In Outlook, use the "Focused Inbox" rules or create a rule that moves messages from a domain to Junk. Yahoo and Apple Mail require blocking individual addresses.
What should I do if I'm getting spam from hundreds of addresses?
Blocking individual addresses won't scale. Instead, use your email service's filter or rule feature to catch messages by subject line, keyword, or sender pattern. If the spam is severe, report it to your email provider's abuse team and consider changing your email address if it's been widely shared.