The fastest way depends on which email service you use

Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have a built-in block feature, but the steps are different for each one. Gmail lets you block from the email itself in about two clicks. Outlook requires you to open settings. Apple Mail has no native block button — you have to create a rule instead. None of these methods delete emails already in your inbox, and none prevent the sender from knowing you blocked them (they just won't see read receipts or delivery confirmations).

Blocking stops new emails from that address from reaching your inbox — they go to spam or a blocked folder instead. If someone is harassing you across multiple email addresses, you'll need to block each one separately. If they're using a service like Gmail, they can create a new address in seconds, so blocking is a speed bump, not a permanent wall.

Key Takeaways

  • In Gmail, open any email from the sender, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender]" — new emails go straight to spam.
  • In Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email, add the address to the blocked senders list, and save.
  • Apple Mail has no block button; instead, create a rule in Mail > Settings > Rules that moves emails from that sender to trash or a folder you don't check.
  • Blocking prevents emails from reaching your inbox but does not delete messages already there — you can delete those manually or in bulk.
  • If someone is harassing you from multiple addresses, you may need to block each one, or report the behavior to your email provider's abuse team.

Blocking in Gmail

Open any email from the person you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again.

Once blocked, all future emails from that address go to your spam folder automatically. You won't see a notification when they send you something. If you change your mind, you can unblock them by going to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Blocked addresses, finding the name, and clicking "Unblock."

Blocking in Outlook (web and desktop)

On the web version, open the email from the sender. Click the three dots at the top right and select "Block." Outlook will move that email to spam and send future messages there too.

On the desktop version (Outlook for Windows or Mac), right-click the email and select "Junk" > "Block Sender." If that option doesn't appear, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email, scroll to "Blocked senders," and type in the email address manually. Click "Add" and then "Save."

Blocking in Apple Mail

Apple Mail does not have a dedicated block button. Instead, you create a rule that automatically handles emails from that sender. Open Mail and go to Mail > Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the "Rules" tab.

Click "Add Rule." Set the first dropdown to "From," then type the sender's email address in the text field. In the "Perform the following actions" section, set the dropdown to "Move Message" and choose a folder — most people pick Trash or a folder they never check. Click "OK" and then "Save." From now on, emails from that address will skip your inbox.

What happens to emails already in your inbox

Blocking only affects new emails going forward. Any messages from that sender that are already in your inbox, sent folder, or other folders stay where they are. You can delete them manually by selecting them and pressing Delete, or you can select all emails from that sender at once.

In Gmail, search for "from:emailaddress@example.com" (replace with the actual address), select all results, and delete them. In Outlook, use the search box the same way. In Apple Mail, search for the sender's name or address, select the results, and delete. This step is optional — blocking just prevents new messages from arriving.

When blocking isn't enough

If someone is sending you threatening, harassing, or abusive emails, blocking one address may not stop them if they keep creating new ones. In that case, report the behavior to your email provider's abuse team. Gmail has a "Report phishing" option in the three-dot menu. Outlook has a "Report" button at the top of suspicious emails. Apple Mail doesn't have a built-in report feature, but you can forward the email to reportphishing@apple.com.

Keep copies of the harassing emails before you delete them — you may need them if the behavior escalates or if you decide to involve law enforcement. Most email providers take harassment seriously and may suspend the sender's account if the pattern is clear.

Unblocking someone later

If you blocked someone by mistake or want to hear from them again, you can unblock them. In Gmail, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses, find the blocked sender, and click "Unblock." In Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email, find the address under "Blocked senders," and click the trash icon next to it. In Apple Mail, go back to Settings > Rules, find the rule you created, and click the minus sign to delete it.

Once unblocked, you'll start receiving their emails again in your normal inbox. They won't know you unblocked them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I blocked tell that I blocked them?

No. They won't receive a notification. If they send you an email, it will appear to send normally on their end, but it will land in their spam folder or be silently rejected depending on your provider. They have no way to know unless they ask you directly or notice you're not responding.

What if I block someone and they create a new email address?

You'll need to block the new address separately using the same steps. If this happens repeatedly, report the pattern to your email provider's abuse team — they can investigate and may suspend the account for harassment.

Does blocking delete emails I already received from them?

No. Blocking only stops new emails. You have to manually delete old messages from that sender, or you can search for their address and delete all results at once using your email provider's search function.

Can I block an email address that's not in my contacts?

Yes. You don't need to know the person or have them saved in your contacts to block them. You can block any email address that sends you messages.

If I block someone on my phone, does it block them on my computer too?

Yes, as long as you're using the same email account. Blocking is tied to your email address, not your device. If you block someone in Gmail on your phone, they're blocked when you check Gmail on your computer as well.