How To Block Emails

Last updated: September 04, 2026 · 5 min read

Why Blocking Emails Matters for Your Safety

Unwanted emails aren’t just annoying. They can be dangerous. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, adults over 60 lose more to online fraud than any other age group — over $3.4 billion in 2023. Many of these scams start with a single email.

When you block an email address, you’re putting up a digital “no trespassing” sign. The sender can’t reach your inbox anymore. Their messages either go straight to spam or bounce back completely. They won’t receive any notification that you blocked them.

Don’t worry — blocking someone is completely reversible. If you accidentally block a family member or legitimate business, you can unblock them anytime.

How to Block Emails on Gmail

Gmail makes blocking easy, whether you’re using a computer or your phone. Here’s exactly what to do.

How to Block Emails on Gmail on Phone (Android or iPhone)

1. Open the Gmail app: Look for the colorful “M” icon on your phone’s home screen.
2. Find the unwanted email: You can tap to open it, or just tap and hold the message in your inbox without opening it.
3. Tap the three dots: Look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen (next to the reply arrow if you opened the message).
4. Select “Block [sender name]”: A small menu will pop up. Tap the option that says “Block” followed by the sender’s name or email address.
5. Confirm the block: Gmail will ask if you’re sure. Tap “Block” again to confirm. Gmail will also ask if you want to report the sender as spam — this helps protect other Gmail users too.

That’s it. Future emails from that address will automatically go to your spam folder.

How to Block Emails in Gmail on a Computer

1. Open Gmail in your web browser: Go to gmail.com and sign in if needed.
2. Open the unwanted email: Click on the message to view it.
3. Click the three dots: Look at the top right of the email, next to the reply arrow. Click the three vertical dots.
4. Click “Block [sender name]”: A menu will appear. Click the block option.
5. Confirm: Click “Block” in the popup window that appears.

Don’t worry if you make a mistake. You can always unblock someone by going to Gmail Settings, clicking “Filters and Blocked Addresses,” and removing them from your blocked list.

How to Block Emails in Outlook

If you use Outlook (including Hotmail accounts), blocking is just as simple. Microsoft’s official guidance makes this process straightforward.

How to Block Emails in Outlook on a Computer

1. Open Outlook.com: Go to outlook.com in your web browser and sign in.
2. Click Settings: Look for the gear icon in the top right corner. Click it.
3. Go to Mail settings: At the bottom of the settings panel that appears, click “View all Outlook settings.”
4. Click Junk Email: In the settings window, click “Mail” on the left, then click “Junk email.”
5. Add the email address: Under “Blocked senders,” type or paste the email address you want to block. Click “Add.”
6. Save your changes: Click “Save” at the bottom of the window.

You can also block someone directly from an email by right-clicking the sender’s name and selecting “Block.”

How to Block Emails on Hotmail

Good news — Hotmail and Outlook are the same service now. Microsoft renamed Hotmail to Outlook years ago. So if you have an @hotmail.com email address, just follow the Outlook instructions above. Your account works exactly the same way.

How to Block Emails on iPhone

Your iPhone has two ways to block emails, depending on which app you use.

Using the Mail App on iPhone

1. Open the Mail app: It’s the blue icon with a white envelope.
2. Open the unwanted email: Tap the message to view it.
3. Tap the sender’s name: At the top of the email, tap the sender’s email address or name.
4. Tap “Block this Contact”: A window will pop up. Tap the blue “Block this Contact” option.
5. Confirm: Tap “Block Contact” in the confirmation window.

This blocks the sender across your entire iPhone, including Mail, Messages, and FaceTime.

Using Gmail or Outlook Apps on iPhone

If you use the Gmail or Outlook apps on your iPhone instead of Apple’s Mail app, follow the Gmail or Outlook instructions earlier in this guide. The apps work the same on iPhones as they do on Android phones.

How to Block Emails Yahoo

Yahoo Mail also includes simple blocking tools.

1. Open Yahoo Mail: Go to mail.yahoo.com or open the Yahoo Mail app.
2. Open the unwanted email: Click or tap to view the message.
3. Click or tap the three dots: Look for the “More” menu (three horizontal dots).
4. Select “Block senders”: This option appears in the dropdown menu.
5. Confirm: Click or tap “OK” when Yahoo asks you to confirm.

Blocked emails will go straight to your spam folder in Yahoo.

How to Block Emails on Android

Most Android phones use the Gmail app for email. If that’s you, follow the “how to block emails on Gmail on phone” instructions earlier in this article.

If you use a different email app on your Android phone (like Outlook, Yahoo, or Samsung Email), open that app and look for the three-dot menu when viewing an unwanted email. Nearly all email apps have a “Block” option in that menu.

How Do I Block Emails Without Opening Them?

This is a smart question. You shouldn’t open suspicious emails — opening them can sometimes confirm to scammers that your email address is active.

Here’s how to block without opening:

• In Gmail on your phone: Press and hold the email in your inbox (don’t tap to open it). The three-dot menu will appear at the top. Tap it, then tap “Block.”
• In Gmail on a computer: Check the box next to the email in your inbox. Click the three dots above your email list. Select “Block.”
• In Outlook: Right-click the email in your inbox. Select “Block” from the menu that appears.
• On iPhone Mail app: Swipe left on the email in your inbox and tap “More,” then “Block this Contact.”

You’ve got this. Blocking without opening is actually safer than opening suspicious emails first.

How Do I Permanently Block Unwanted Emails?

When you block an email address using the methods above, that block stays in place permanently. It won’t expire or reset. The sender remains blocked until you manually unblock them.

However, determined spammers sometimes create new email addresses to get around blocks. If the same company or scammer keeps emailing you from different addresses, you have a few options:

• Mark as spam: Instead of just blocking, also click “Report spam” or “Mark as spam.” This teaches your email service to recognize similar messages.
• Create a filter: In Gmail or Outlook settings, you can create rules that automatically delete emails containing certain words or from certain domains. This is more advanced — if you’d like help setting this up, our email help service can walk you through it.
• Unsubscribe from legitimate companies: If it’s a real business (not a scammer), scroll to the bottom of their email and click “Unsubscribe.” This is more effective than blocking for legitimate companies.

How Can I Block Someone from Emailing Me?

Blocking someone who’s harassing you or won’t leave you alone works the same way as blocking spam. Use any of the methods described earlier for your email service.

One important thing to know: when you block someone, they don’t get notified. They can still send emails to you — those emails just never reach your inbox. The sender won’t receive a bounce-back message or any indication they’ve been blocked. Their emails simply disappear into your spam folder.

If someone is threatening you or making you feel unsafe, blocking their email is a good first step. But you may also want to contact local authorities and save any threatening messages as evidence. Don’t delete them right away.

When Should You Ask for Help Instead of Fixing It Yourself?

Most people can block emails without help. But there are times when calling a professional makes sense:

• You’re receiving dozens of spam emails daily and blocking individual senders isn’t helping
• You accidentally blocked someone important and can’t figure out how to unblock them
• You want to set up advanced email filters but feel overwhelmed by the settings
• You’re worried you might have clicked a link in a scam email and want someone to check your computer for problems

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. We help people with email problems every single day. Our email help service can connect to your computer remotely and fix the issue while you watch. No home visit needed.