Unblocking a sender in Gmail takes 30 seconds

To unblock someone in Gmail, open your Settings, find the Blocked addresses list, and click Unblock next to their name. The person can then send you emails normally, and their messages will arrive in your inbox instead of the spam folder. You do not need to contact Gmail support or wait for approval — the change happens when ready.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Gmail on a computer or phone, but both routes lead to the same Blocked addresses page where all your blocked senders are listed in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocked senders are stored in your Gmail Settings under Filters and Blocked Addresses, not in a separate app or menu.
  • When you unblock someone, their future emails go to your inbox; past emails they sent while blocked stay in spam unless you move them manually.
  • Unblocking takes effect when ready and does not require you to confirm the change or restart Gmail.
  • If you block the same person again later, Gmail remembers the block and you can unblock them the same way.

Unblocking on a computer or laptop

Start by opening Gmail in your web browser and signing in to your account. Click the gear icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small cog — and select See all settings from the dropdown menu that appears.

Once Settings opens, click the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab near the top of the page. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Blocked addresses. This section lists every email address you have blocked, one per line. Find the address you want to unblock and click the Unblock link next to it. Gmail will ask you to confirm — click Unblock again in the popup that appears. That is all. The person is now unblocked and can email you normally.

Unblocking on an Android phone or tablet

Open the Gmail app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. If you have multiple Gmail accounts on your phone, tap the account you want to change.

Tap Blocked addresses. You will see a list of every address you have blocked on this account. Find the one you want to unblock, tap it, and then tap Unblock when the option appears. The change takes effect right away.

Unblocking on an iPhone or iPad

Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Manage your Google Account, then swipe to the Security tab. Scroll down to Your connections to third-party apps and services and tap Manage all connections. This route is longer than on Android because Gmail on iPhone does not have a direct settings shortcut.

A faster method: tap the three lines (menu) at the top left, scroll to Settings, tap your account name, then tap Blocked addresses. Find the address and tap Unblock. If that option does not appear, use the first method above through your web browser instead — it always works on any device.

What happens after you unblock someone

Once you unblock an address, that person's new emails will arrive in your inbox like any other message. Gmail does not send them a notification that you have unblocked them, so they will not know unless you tell them.

Emails they sent while they were blocked will still be in your spam folder or trash — unblocking does not move old messages. If you want to see those past emails, you can search for their address in your spam folder, open the message, and click Not spam to move it to your inbox. You can also delete them permanently if you prefer not to keep them.

If you cannot find the Blocked addresses section

If you are using Gmail through a work or school account, your organization's administrator may have hidden the Blocked addresses section. In that case, contact your IT department or help desk — they control which settings you can access.

If you are using a personal Gmail account and still cannot find Blocked addresses, try signing out completely and signing back in. Sometimes the page does not load correctly the first time. Clear your browser's cache if the problem continues, or try a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block and unblock the same person multiple times?

Yes. You can block and unblock the same address as many times as you want. Gmail keeps a record of blocks, but there is no limit to how many times you can change it. Each time you unblock, their future emails will reach your inbox again.

Will the person know I unblocked them?

No. Gmail does not notify someone when you unblock them. They will only know if you tell them, or if they try to email you and suddenly see their messages arriving in your inbox instead of bouncing back.

What if I blocked someone by mistake?

Unblock them using the steps above. If they sent you emails while blocked, check your spam folder to see if they are there. You can move them to your inbox by opening the message and clicking Not spam.

Do I need to do anything else after unblocking?

No. Unblocking is complete as soon as you click the button. You do not need to restart Gmail, refresh the page, or take any other action. The person can email you when ready.