How to Block (and Unblock) Someone in Gmail

Blocking someone in Gmail sends their future emails straight to Spam. It takes two clicks, it’s reversible, and you can see everyone you’ve blocked in one place. Here are Google’s steps, plus when blocking is the wrong tool.

Block a sender

1. On a computer, open Gmail and open an email from the sender.
2. At the top right, next to Reply, click More.
3. Click Block “[sender]”.

From then on, Google says, messages from that address go to your Spam folder.

Unblock a sender

Open an email from them, click More next to Reply, then Unblock “[sender]”. Their future emails go back to your inbox.

See and manage everyone you’ve blocked

1. At the top right, click Settings, then See all settings.
2. Open Filters and Blocked Addresses.
3. Tick the senders you want to unblock and click Unblock selected addresses.

That same page is where your Gmail filters live — useful if you’d rather sort a sender’s mail than bin it.

Is blocking the right tool?

Why the distinction matters: blocking covers only the address you block. That suits one person with one fixed address; for spam and scams sent from many addresses, reporting is the better move.

If someone is harassing or threatening you

Google says anyone using Gmail to harass, intimidate or threaten you is violating Gmail’s Program Policies. If you feel you’re in danger, Google advises contacting your local authorities right away and asking whether any cyber-harassment laws apply. Blocking keeps their emails out of your inbox by sending them to Spam.

Still getting their emails?

• Check the address. Blocking applies to that address. If the same person writes from a new address, that one needs blocking too.
• Look in Spam, not the inbox. Blocked mail still arrives — in Spam.
• Want it gone completely? A filter on the sender can delete matching emails instead.

On Outlook? How to block a sender in Outlook. More: Gmail tips and tricks.