How to block an email address depends on which email service you use

Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have built-in blocking features, but the steps differ slightly for each. In Gmail, you open the email, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block." In Outlook on the web, you right-click the sender and choose "Block." In Apple Mail on Mac, you go to Mail menu > Preferences > Junk Mail and add addresses manually, or use rules to send them to trash automatically. On iPhone or iPad, you swipe left on an email from that sender and tap the trash icon, then flag future emails from them as junk.

The blocked sender won't know they're blocked. Their emails will either go to your spam folder automatically or disappear entirely, depending on your service. You can unblock someone later if you change your mind — the process is just as quick as blocking them.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail's block feature is in the three-dot menu of any email from that sender; blocked messages go to spam automatically.
  • Outlook on the web lets you right-click a sender's name and select "Block" from the context menu.
  • Apple Mail on Mac requires you to create a rule in Preferences to filter emails from specific addresses to trash.
  • On mobile devices, you can flag emails as junk or use your service's block feature, which varies by phone type and email app.
  • Blocked senders cannot tell they are blocked, and you can reverse the block at any time through your settings.

Blocking in Gmail

Open any email from the address you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the "more" menu) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will move that sender's future emails to your spam folder automatically.

To unblock someone in Gmail, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Blocked addresses. Find the address you want to unblock and click "Unblock" next to it. You can also manage blocks from the same tab if you need to see your full list.

Blocking in Outlook

In Outlook on the web, right-click on the sender's name or email address in your inbox. Select "Block" from the menu that appears. Outlook will send future emails from that address to your junk folder and mark them as read automatically.

To unblock in Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email. Under "Safe Senders and Domains," you'll see a list of blocked addresses. Find the one you want to unblock and remove it from the list. Changes take effect immediately.

Blocking in Apple Mail on Mac

Apple Mail doesn't have a single "block" button like Gmail or Outlook. Instead, you create a rule to handle emails from specific addresses. Open Mail, go to Mail menu > Preferences > Rules. Click "Add Rule" and set it to match emails from the sender's address, then choose an action like "Move Message" to trash or "Delete Message."

Alternatively, you can mark emails from that sender as junk. Open an email from them, click the flag icon at the top, and select "Mark as Junk." Apple learns from this and may automatically filter future emails from that address, though it's less reliable than a rule.

Blocking on iPhone and iPad

In the Apple Mail app on iPhone or iPad, open an email from the sender you want to block. Tap "Report Junk" at the bottom of the email, or swipe left on the email in your inbox and tap the trash icon. You can also long-press the sender's name and select "Block Contact" if that option appears.

For Gmail on iPhone or iPad, open the email, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender]." For Outlook on mobile, swipe left on the email and tap the block icon (usually a circle with a slash). The exact steps vary depending on which app version you have installed.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block an address, emails from that sender go to your spam or junk folder instead of your inbox. You won't see notifications for their messages, and they won't appear in your unread count. The blocked sender has no way to know they've been blocked — their emails send normally from their perspective, but you never see them arrive.

If you accidentally block someone or change your mind later, unblocking is straightforward. The person will not receive any notification that you've unblocked them. Their old emails remain in your spam folder unless you move them manually, but new emails from them will go to your inbox again.

When blocking doesn't work

Blocking works for individual email addresses, but not for entire domains. If someone is sending you spam from multiple addresses at the same domain (like spammer@company.com and noreply@company.com), you'll need to block each address separately. Some email services let you create filters for entire domains, but this requires going into advanced settings.

If you're receiving a large volume of spam or harassment, blocking individual addresses becomes impractical. In that case, consider using your email service's spam filters more aggressively, unsubscribing from mailing lists you don't recognize, or reporting the sender to your email provider. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have options to report spam or phishing attempts, which helps protect other users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I've blocked them?

No. When you block someone, their emails simply go to your spam folder. They see no error message, no bounce-back, and no indication that you've blocked them. From their side, the email appears to send normally.

What's the difference between blocking and unsubscribing?

Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list and usually stops future emails from that sender. Blocking prevents all emails from a specific address from reaching your inbox. Use unsubscribe for legitimate newsletters you no longer want; use block for unwanted senders or harassment.

If I block someone, can they still see my emails?

Yes. Blocking only affects emails coming to you from that address. If you send them an email, it will arrive normally. Blocking is one-way — it only stops their messages from reaching your inbox.

Can I block an email address on my phone if I use a different email app?

It depends on the app. Most third-party email apps (like Spark, ProtonMail, or Hey) have their own block features, usually accessible through a menu or settings option within the app. Check your app's help section or settings for the exact steps, as they vary widely.

What if someone creates a new email address after I block them?

You'll need to block the new address separately. If someone is repeatedly creating new addresses to contact you, report the behavior to your email provider as harassment or spam. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail can investigate patterns of abuse across multiple addresses.