The fastest way depends on which email service you use

Blocking an email address works differently in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail. In Gmail, open the message, click the three dots in the top right, and select "Block [sender]." In Outlook, right-click the message and choose "Junk" then "Block Sender." Yahoo Mail users click the three dots next to the message and select "Block." Apple Mail on Mac requires you to select the message and use the Mail menu to find "Block Contact." On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message and tap the trash icon, then go to Settings to add the address to your VIP or blocked list through contacts.

Once you block someone, their messages go straight to spam or a blocked folder instead of your inbox. You won't see notifications from them, and they won't know you blocked them. The blocked sender can still send mail — it just won't reach you visibly.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all have built-in block features accessible directly from the message or sender menu.
  • Blocked messages typically land in spam or a dedicated blocked folder rather than disappearing entirely.
  • Blocking prevents notifications and hides the sender's messages from your inbox, but the sender can still send mail.
  • You can unblock a sender later by finding them in your blocked list and removing them.
  • For persistent unwanted mail, combine blocking with spam filters or rules that automatically delete or sort messages by sender.

Blocking in Gmail step by step

Open any message 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 name]." Gmail will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again. The sender is now blocked, and their future messages will skip your inbox and go to spam.

If you want to unblock them later, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right of Gmail's main page), click "See all settings," then go to the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. Scroll to the bottom where it says "Blocked addresses" and click the X next to the address you want to unblock.

Blocking in Outlook and Outlook.com

Right-click on the message from the sender you want to block. A context menu appears. Hover over or click "Junk," then select "Block Sender." Outlook moves the message to your Junk folder and adds the sender to your blocked list. Future messages from that address will go directly to Junk.

To unblock someone in Outlook, go to Settings (the gear icon), then "View all Outlook settings." Click "Mail," then "Junk email." Under "Blocked senders," you'll see a list of blocked addresses. Click the X next to any address to remove it from your blocked list.

Blocking in Yahoo Mail

Open the message from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions menu) next to the sender's name or in the message toolbar. Select "Block." Yahoo Mail will confirm the block and move the message to spam. Any future messages from that address will go straight to your spam folder.

To see your blocked senders in Yahoo Mail, click the gear icon, then "Settings." Go to "Security and privacy," then scroll to "Blocked addresses." You can add addresses manually here or remove any that are already blocked by clicking the X.

Blocking in Apple Mail on Mac and iPhone

On a Mac, select the message from the sender you want to block. Go to the Mail menu at the top of the screen, hover over "Message," and look for "Block Contact" or a similar option. The sender is now blocked. On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message thread, tap the trash icon, and then open Settings on your device. Go to Mail, then Accounts, select your email account, and look for a Blocked Contacts or Blocked Senders section where you can manage your list.

Apple Mail doesn't have a single unified blocked list the way Gmail or Outlook does. Instead, blocking is often tied to your Contacts app. To unblock someone, go to Contacts, find their name, and remove any block status associated with their contact card.

What happens when you block someone

When you block an email address, the sender's messages no longer appear in your inbox. They typically land in a spam or junk folder, or in a dedicated blocked folder depending on your email service. You won't receive notifications when they send you mail. The sender themselves will not receive any notification that you blocked them — the message straightforward fails to deliver or appears to be delivered normally on their end, but you won't see it.

Blocking is not the same as unsubscribing. If you receive marketing emails or newsletters, look for an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the message. Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list, while blocking prevents all messages from a specific address. For persistent spam from multiple addresses, consider using your email service's spam filter settings or creating rules that automatically sort or delete messages by sender.

Using filters and rules for more control

If you want to block multiple addresses or create more complex rules, most email services let you set up filters. In Gmail, go to Settings, click "Filters and Blocked Addresses," then "Create a new filter." Enter the sender's address and choose what to do with messages from that sender — delete them, send them to spam, or move them to a specific folder. In Outlook, go to Settings, then "Mail," then "Rules," and create a rule that automatically moves messages from a specific sender to a folder or deletes them.

Filters are useful when you want to block an entire domain (like all messages from a company) rather than just one address, or when you want to automatically sort messages instead of blocking them completely. You can also create filters based on subject lines or keywords, which helps catch spam that comes from multiple addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked sender tell that I blocked them?

No. A blocked sender will not receive any notification that you blocked them. Their messages straightforward won't reach your inbox, and they have no way of knowing whether you blocked them, deleted their messages, or never saw them.

What if I block someone by mistake?

You can unblock them at any time through your email service's settings. In Gmail, go to Settings and find "Blocked addresses." In Outlook, go to Settings, Mail, Junk email, and "Blocked senders." In Yahoo Mail, go to Settings, Security and privacy, and "Blocked addresses." Click the X or remove button next to the address you want to unblock.

Will blocking stop all emails from that person?

Blocking stops messages from the specific email address you blocked. If the sender uses a different email address, those messages won't be blocked. For persistent senders using multiple addresses, you may need to block each address separately or create a filter based on the sender's name or domain.

Does blocking delete messages I already received?

No. Blocking only affects future messages. Messages you already received from that sender will remain in your inbox unless you manually delete them. When you block someone, their past messages stay where they are.

Is blocking the same as reporting spam?

No. Blocking prevents you from seeing messages from that sender, but reporting spam tells your email service that the sender is sending unwanted mail. Some email services let you report and block in one step, but they are different actions. Reporting helps the email service identify spam patterns, while blocking is just for your account.