How to Block Someone on Gmail the Easy Way

Blocking someone in Gmail stops their emails from reaching your inbox and sends them straight to Spam. You can do it in under a minute, and the person is never notified. You only need access to the Gmail website or the Gmail app on your phone—no settings to change or add-ons to install.

What You’ll Need

• A Gmail account (free or paid, such as Google Workspace)
• The email address of the person you want to block
• Access to Gmail in a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) or the Gmail app on Android or iOS

Step-by-Step

On a Computer (Web Browser)

1. Open Gmail and sign in if you haven’t already. Go to mail.google.com.
2. Open the email from the person you want to block. Click on the message so it opens in the reading pane or a new window.
3. Click the three vertical dots (More menu) located in the top-right corner of the open email, next to the Reply and Forward icons.
4. Select “Block [sender’s name]”. A confirmation pop-up will appear, explaining that future emails from this address will be marked as Spam.
5. Click “Block” to confirm. That’s it—the sender is now blocked.

On the Gmail App (Android or iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Gmail app on your phone or tablet.
2. Open the email from the person you want to block by tapping on it.
3. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
4. Tap “Block [sender’s name]” from the dropdown menu.
5. Tap “Block” in the confirmation dialog. The sender is now blocked.

Blocking Without Opening an Email

1. Go to your Gmail inbox and hover over the email from the sender you want to block (on desktop) or long-press it (on mobile).
2. Click the three vertical dots that appear on the right side of the email row (desktop) or at the top of the screen (mobile).
3. Select “Block [sender’s name]” and confirm. This works even if you haven’t opened the email.

Blocking from the Sender’s Details

1. Open any email from the person you want to block.
2. Click or tap on the sender’s name or email address at the top of the message. A small info card will appear.
3. Click the three vertical dots on that card and choose “Block [sender’s name]”.
4. Confirm by clicking “Block”.

Common Mistakes

• Blocking the wrong address: Some senders use multiple email addresses. Blocking one address does not block others they own. Check the exact “From” address before confirming.
• Expecting the sender to be notified: Gmail does not tell the sender they’ve been blocked. Their emails will simply stop appearing in your inbox—they won’t get an error message.
• Thinking blocking deletes old emails: Blocking only affects future messages. Emails already in your inbox or sent folder remain untouched. You’ll need to delete or archive them manually if you want them gone.
• Blocking from the wrong menu: The block option is only in the three-dot menu within an email or in the email list. It’s not in Gmail’s main Settings gear icon.
• Confusing “Mute” with “Block”: Muting an email just archives it and prevents future notifications from that conversation. The sender can still reach you. Blocking is much stronger—it sends all future mail to Spam.

Tips

• Block multiple addresses at once: If someone keeps creating new addresses, block each one as it appears. There’s no limit to how many you can block.
• Use filters as a backup: If the sender uses a different address each time, create a filter that automatically sends emails containing their name or domain to Spam. Go to Settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses → Create a new filter.
• Check your Spam folder occasionally: Blocked emails go to Spam, not to a separate “Blocked” folder. If you’re expecting an important email and it doesn’t arrive, check Spam first.
• Unblocking is easy: To unblock someone, go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses. Find the address under “Blocked addresses” and click “Unblock”.
• Blocking works across all devices: The block is synced to your Google account, so it applies on your phone, tablet, and computer automatically.

Troubleshooting

• I don’t see the “Block” option: Make sure you’re viewing the email in the standard Gmail interface, not in a third-party email client (like Outlook or Apple Mail). The block feature is only available in Gmail’s own interface. Also, if you’re using Gmail with a work or school account, your administrator may have disabled blocking.
• The person’s emails still appear in my inbox: This can happen if the sender is using a different email address than the one you blocked, or if Gmail hasn’t updated the filter yet. Wait a few minutes, then check if new emails from that address go to Spam. If they still arrive, block the new address as well.
• I accidentally blocked someone: Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses. Under “Blocked addresses”, find the person and click “Unblock”. Their future emails will go back to your inbox.
• Blocked emails are not going to Spam: If you don’t see them in Spam, they may be automatically deleted if you have a filter that deletes mail from that sender, or your Spam settings might be set to delete messages after 30 days. Check your Spam folder’s retention settings.
• The block button is greyed out: This usually happens with Google Workspace accounts where the admin has restricted certain features. Contact your IT administrator to enable blocking, or use a filter as a workaround.
• I blocked someone but still get notifications: Notifications are tied to your inbox, not to the sender. If you have notifications enabled for all incoming mail, you may still see a notification when the email lands in Spam. Turn off notifications for Spam in Gmail settings, or disable notifications entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the person know I blocked them?

No. Gmail does not notify the sender. Their emails will appear to send successfully, but they’ll be routed to your Spam folder. If they ask why you haven’t replied, they won’t know it’s because they’re blocked.

What happens to emails from a blocked sender?

They go directly to your Spam folder. You won’t see them in your inbox, and you won’t get notifications for them. They’ll be automatically deleted after 30 days, just like other spam.

Can I block someone who hasn’t emailed me yet?

No. You can only block someone after they’ve sent you at least one email. If you want to preemptively stop someone, you’ll need to create a filter that sends their address to Spam before they email you.

Does blocking work on Gmail for work or school accounts?

It depends on your administrator. Some Google Workspace admins disable the block feature. If you don’t see the option, try using a filter instead, or contact your IT department.

Can I block someone on Gmail but still allow them on Google Chat or Meet?

Yes. Blocking in Gmail only affects email. To block someone in Google Chat or Meet, you need to do it separately in those apps. The block lists are independent of each other.

Will blocking someone stop them from seeing my emails if I reply to them later?

No. If you unblock them and reply, they’ll see your reply normally. Blocking is not mutual—it only affects emails coming from them to you.

Related

• AirPrint Printers for iPad: Which Fits Your Needs?
• How to Play Blu-ray on QuickTime (Mac & Windows)
• Add Chrome Extensions on Desktop from Android Phone