The fastest way to unblock someone in Gmail

Open Gmail and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Click See all settings, then select the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. Find the sender you want to unblock in the list, click the three dots next to their address, and select Delete. That removes them from your blocked list when ready — their emails will start arriving in your inbox again on the next send.

If you blocked someone by mistake and they've already sent you mail, Gmail may have sorted those messages into spam or trash. After you unblock them, check your spam folder and move any of their messages back to your inbox if you want to read them. Going forward, their mail will arrive normally.

Key Takeaways

  • Unblocking happens in Settings under Filters and Blocked Addresses, where you delete the address from the blocked list.
  • Emails from an unblocked sender start arriving in your inbox with the next message they send you.
  • Old messages that arrived while someone was blocked stay in spam or trash unless you move them manually.
  • You can block or unblock someone from an open email by clicking the three dots next to their name and choosing block or unblock.
  • Unblocking does not restore deleted messages — it only stops Gmail from filtering future mail from that sender.

Unblocking from an open email

If you have an email open from someone you want to unblock, you don't need to go to Settings. Click the three dots (more actions) at the top right of the email, then select Unblock [sender's name]. Gmail will remove them from your blocked list right away.

This method is faster if you're already reading their message. The unblock takes effect when ready, so any new emails from them will arrive in your inbox starting with their next send.

What happens to old messages after you unblock

Unblocking someone does not automatically move their old messages back to your inbox. While they were blocked, Gmail sent their emails to spam or deleted them depending on your settings. Those messages stay where they are unless you find and move them yourself.

To recover old messages, go to your Spam folder and search for the sender's address or name. Select any messages you want to keep, click the move icon, and choose Inbox. You can also check your Trash folder if the messages were deleted instead of marked as spam.

Blocking and unblocking on mobile

On the Gmail app for iPhone or Android, open an email from the person you want to unblock. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap Unblock [sender's name]. The process is the same as on a computer — they're removed from your blocked list when ready.

If you need to see your full blocked list on mobile, open Settings, scroll to your Gmail account, tap Blocked addresses, and you'll see everyone you've blocked. Tap the address you want to unblock and confirm the removal.

Why someone might not receive your replies

Unblocking someone on your end does not change whether they can reach you. If you blocked them, they could not send you mail, but you could still send them messages — they would just not see your replies in their inbox if they also blocked you. Unblocking only affects what you receive from them.

If you want to make sure someone can contact you, unblock them on your account. If they have also blocked you, they will need to unblock you on their end for your messages to reach their inbox. There is no way to know from Gmail whether someone has blocked you.

Difference between blocking and marking as spam

Blocking stops all mail from someone and removes them from your contacts. Marking as spam sends one message to your spam folder but does not prevent future mail from that sender — it just trains Gmail's filter to watch for similar messages. If you mark someone as spam repeatedly, Gmail may eventually block them automatically, but blocking is the direct action.

If you unblock someone, their future mail arrives in your inbox. If you only marked them as spam, their messages still go to spam unless you unblock them or mark their mail as "not spam" to retrain the filter. The two actions work differently and have different effects on what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unblock someone and then block them again right away?

Yes. Unblocking and blocking are both when ready actions. You might do this if you want to clear your blocked list but are not ready to receive mail from someone yet — though it is simpler to just leave them blocked until you are ready to unblock permanently.

Does unblocking someone let them see old emails I sent them?

No. Unblocking only affects what you receive from them going forward. Any emails you sent while they were blocked are already in their inbox — unblocking does not change that. Unblocking only opens your inbox to their future messages.

What if I unblock someone by mistake?

You can block them again when ready using the same method. Go back to Settings, find their address in Filters and Blocked Addresses, and click the three dots to block them again. Or open their next email and use the three-dot menu to block them.

Will unblocking someone remove them from my spam folder?

No. Unblocking stops Gmail from filtering their future mail, but it does not move old messages out of spam. You have to find those messages in your spam folder and move them to your inbox manually if you want to read them.

Can I block or unblock someone if they are not in my contacts?

Yes. You can block or unblock any email address, whether or not they are saved in your contacts. Gmail keeps a separate blocked addresses list that is independent of your contacts.