The fastest way to block a person depends on your email provider
Most email providers let you block a sender in one or two clicks, but the exact steps differ between Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and others. The blocked person can still send you messages — they just won't land in your inbox. Their emails go to spam or a blocked folder instead, and you won't get a notification that they arrived. If you need the person to know you received nothing, blocking alone won't do that; you would need to tell them separately.
Blocking is different from unsubscribing. When you unsubscribe from a mailing list, you're asking the sender to remove you from their distribution. When you block a person, you're telling your email provider to filter out their messages. A blocked sender can still email you — you just won't see it.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all have built-in block features accessible from the sender's message or contact card.
- A blocked sender's emails go to spam or a blocked folder, not your inbox, but they don't receive a notification that you blocked them.
- Blocking is permanent until you unblock the person, and it usually applies across all devices where you use that email account.
- If blocking doesn't work or the person uses multiple email addresses, you may need to set up a filter rule to catch variations of their name or address.
How to block someone in Gmail
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right of the message, then select Block [sender's name]. Gmail will move that message to spam and send all future emails from that address to your spam folder automatically.
If you've already deleted the message, you can block the person from your Contacts list instead. Go to Contacts, find their name, click it, then click the three-dot menu and select Block. You can also block someone by right-clicking their name in any email thread.
To unblock someone in Gmail, go to Settings, click the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, find the person's address in the blocked list, and click Unblock next to their name.
How to block someone in Outlook (web and desktop)
In Outlook on the web, open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three-dot menu at the top of the message and select Block. Outlook will move the message to your Junk folder and filter future emails from that address there.
In Outlook desktop (Windows or Mac), right-click the sender's name in the message and select Block Sender. Their future emails go to your Junk folder. You can also open the message, go to the Home tab, click Junk, and select Block Sender.
To unblock someone in Outlook, go to Settings, select Mail, then Junk email. Find the person's address in the Blocked Senders list and click the X to remove them.
How to block someone in Yahoo Mail
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three-dot menu icon and select Block sender. Yahoo will move that message and all future emails from that address to your spam folder.
If you want to block someone without opening their email, you can go to your Contacts, find their name, click it, and select Block this contact from the menu.
To unblock someone in Yahoo, go to Settings, click Security and privacy, then Blocked addresses. Find the person's address and click Unblock.
How to block someone in Apple Mail
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the sender's name or email address at the top of the message, then click Block this Contact in the popup menu. Apple Mail will move their emails to your Junk folder.
On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the email from the person you want to block, tap the trash icon, then tap Block this Contact from the options that appear.
To unblock someone in Apple Mail, go to Mail preferences, click the Junk Mail tab, find the person's address in the blocked list, and click the minus sign to remove them.
What happens when you block someone, and what doesn't
When you block a sender, their emails go to spam or a blocked folder instead of your inbox. You won't see a notification that they sent anything. The blocked person does not receive a message saying you blocked them — they may assume their emails are going through normally unless you tell them otherwise.
Blocking only works for the email address you blocked. If the person sends you a message from a different email account, it will still reach your inbox. If someone is harassing you from multiple addresses, you may need to block each one separately or set up a filter rule that catches variations of their name.
Blocking is usually permanent and syncs across all your devices. If you use Gmail on your phone, tablet, and computer, blocking someone on one device blocks them on all of them. The same is true for Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail.
When blocking isn't enough: setting up filter rules
If someone is using multiple email addresses or variations of their name to contact you, blocking each address individually becomes tedious. Most email providers let you create a filter rule that catches messages based on keywords, sender patterns, or subject lines.
In Gmail, go to Settings, click Filters and Blocked Addresses, then Create a new filter. Type the person's name or a phrase they often use in the "From" field, then click Create filter. Select Skip the Inbox (Archive) or Delete it to automatically remove their messages. In Outlook, go to Settings, select Mail, then Rules, and click Add new rule to set similar conditions.
Filter rules are more flexible than blocking because you can target patterns instead of exact addresses. However, they require you to think through what text or sender pattern will catch the person's messages without accidentally filtering out legitimate mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the person I blocked tell that I blocked them?
No. They won't receive a notification, and their emails will appear to send normally from their perspective. They may eventually notice you're not responding, but the email system itself won't tell them they're blocked.
What if someone keeps emailing me from different addresses?
You can block each address separately, but if the pattern continues, a filter rule is faster. Set up a rule that catches emails containing their name or a phrase they commonly use, and route those messages to spam or delete them automatically.
Can I block someone and still see their emails later?
Yes. Blocked emails usually go to your spam or blocked folder, not deleted. You can check that folder later if you change your mind. To unblock the person, go to your email provider's settings and remove them from the blocked list.
Does blocking someone on email block them on other services?
No. Blocking in Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo only affects email. If the person contacts you through text, social media, or another app, blocking your email won't stop them there. You would need to block them separately on each service.
What's the difference between blocking and reporting spam?
Blocking stops emails from one person from reaching your inbox. Reporting spam tells your email provider that the sender is sending unsolicited bulk mail, which helps them identify and filter spam for all users. You can do both — block the person and report them as spam.