How to block someone on Gmail in four easy steps

Why would you want to block someone on Gmail?

When you think of reasons to block someone on Gmail, spam is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, spam isn’t the only reason. Blocking can stop junk mail and even harassment coming to your inbox. Let’s explore a few scenarios where you might want to block a sender on Gmail.

Stop spam and unwanted emails

You purchase a pair of sneakers from an online store, and now your Gmail inbox is flooded with daily offers and promotions. Such situations are probably familiar to you. To stop these countless irrelevant emails, block the sender and forget weekly junk mail cleanups.

Protect yourself from phishing scams

Protecting yourself from phishing scams is another reason to block someone on Gmail. Almost every Gmail account has received a phishing message that seems legit at first glance. However, the blurry images, the sender’s email address looks fishy, and the grammatical errors in the message indicate that the sender may have malicious intent.

One wrong click on a link or attachment in a phishing email can infect your computer with a virus or allow a hacker to access your personal information. So blocking such senders adds an extra layer of Gmail security.

Avoid aggressive marketing

Some companies just don’t know when to stop with their marketing emails, bombarding you with promotion announcements, sale ads, or “limited-time” offers multiple times a week. Their intention to promote their brand is understandable, but your willingness to unsubscribe from their emails is understandable, too.

Sadly, unsubscribing doesn’t always work as expected. Some companies choose to ignore the fact that you don’t want their junk mail and continue sending unwanted messages. If this happens to you, remember that you can block them — they cannot ignore it.

Set personal boundaries

Sometimes, you don’t want certain people to have access to you — and that’s enough reason to block their messages on Gmail. Maybe an ex or a bully you’d rather not hear from keeps trying to reconnect. Whatever the case, blocking them isn’t rude or overdramatic, but a message that you want to protect your well-being and mental peace.

How to block someone on Gmail on a computer

Blocking unwanted messages on Gmail via a computer takes just a few clicks:

1. On your browser, open Gmail.
2. Open the message.
3. On the top right, click the three vertical dots.
4. Click “Block [sender].”

How to block someone on Gmail on a phone

Blocking junk mail on Android phones and iPhones is very similar and easy.

How to block someone on Gmail on an Android phone

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Open the message.
3. On the top right, tap the three dots.
4. Tap “Block [sender].”

How to block someone on Gmail on an iPhone

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Open the message.
3. On the top right, tap the three dots.
4. Tap “Block [sender].”

How to unblock someone on Gmail

To unblock a sender on Gmail, follow the same steps you used to block them:

1. Open Gmail.
2. Open the message.
3. On the top right, hit the three dots.
4. Hit “Unblock [sender].”

Other ways to manage unwanted emails on Gmail

Besides blocking and unsubscribing, Gmail has a few other tricks to help you filter out unwanted messages. You can easily report phishing attempts and annoying spam mail. This will shut your inbox to junk mail. Plus, reporting spam and phishing emails may help Gmail improve its filtering system for other users.

Report spam and phishing

To get rid of spam emails, simply open the spam message in Gmail, tap the three dots, and then tap the “Report spam” button. Once you report the sender, all future messages from them will be automatically sent to your “Spam” folder.

If you receive a phishing email asking for your personal information, click the three dots and click “Report phishing.” This way, you won’t get these scam messages from the same sender.

Unsubscribe from emails

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Open an email from the sender you wish to unsubscribe from.
3. Click “Unsubscribe” next to the sender’s name.
4. Click “Unsubscribe” to verify.

FAQ

Will the sender know that I blocked them on Gmail?

No, the sender won’t know when you block them on Gmail. They can still send you emails, but their messages will go straight to your spam folder, so you won’t see them in your inbox.

Can you tell if someone blocked your Gmail messages?

No, Gmail won’t notify you if someone blocks your messages. However, if you stop receiving responses, it might be a sign that you’ve been blocked.

Why can’t I block someone on Gmail?

If you can’t block someone on Gmail, update your app or browser. If that doesn’t work, it might be a temporary glitch. Also, the block option won’t be available for newsletters and automated messages — select “Report spam” or “Unsubscribe” instead.