How To Block An Email Address In 2024

If you’re tired of all the spam that reaches your inbox, here’s how to block an email address from specific senders if you use Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or another email provider. You’ll also find out how Clean Email, a modern inbox cleaner, can help you manage your mailbox.

How to Block Emails on Gmail

Gmail does a good job of sorting your incoming mail and placing it in the right places, including moving spam messages to the Spam folder. Still, some unwanted emails can get through and clutter your Inbox.

Blocking a sender is likely the simplest method to halt unwanted emails, directing future messages from that address directly to Gmail's Spam folder. We have a quick video tutorial that shows how to block unwanted emails so that you won’t see them in your Gmail inbox:


To block someone on Gmail using the Gmail web service and to block emails on Android using the Gmail mobile app, follow these steps:

  1. Open a message from the sender you would like to stop.
  2. Click More (the three vertical dots next to the Reply button) and select Block [sender’s name].
  3. Select Block [sender’s name]Select Block [sender’s name]
  4. A pop-up window will appear and ask you if you want to Block the sender’s address and move all future messages from it to the Spam folder. Click Block to confirm.
  5. Click Block to confirmClick Block to confirm
  6. A confirmation message appears, telling you that you’ve successfully blocked the sender.

Should you ever decide to unblock the sender on Gmail, open any message you’ve received from that contact, click More, and select Unblock [sender’s name]. If you can’t find any message from the sender, click Settings (the gear icon) and select the See all settings. Go to Filters and Blocked Addresses, find the address you would like to unblock, and select the unblock link to the right of it.

The problem with spammers is that they often keep randomly generating new addresses, forcing users to block each new spam message individually. It probably won’t surprise you much to learn that many people simply give up after a while and live with an inbox full of spam emails.

The good news is that Gmail's block sender feature makes it easy to create rules to block an entire domain name. Here’s how to block on Gmail using rules and filters:

  1. Click Show search options (located on the right side of the search bar).
  2. Click Show search optionsClick Show search options
  3. Type the desired domain name (or individual email address) under From.
  4. Click Create filter, which is located in the lower-right corner and may be greyed out.
  5. Click Create filterClick Create filter
  6. In the dialog box that appears, select Delete it to automatically delete all emails from the desired domain name.
  7. Click Create filter.
Select Delete itSelect Delete it

How to Block Emails on Yahoo

Yahoo gives you the option to block as many as 500 addresses. When you block an address on Yahoo, all messages from it get automatically moved to the Spam folder, leaving you with a clean inbox.

Here’s how to block emails on Yahoo:

  1. Log in to your Yahoo account.
  2. Hover the mouse cursor over the Settings icon and select More Settings from the pop-up menu.
  3. Click Settings icon and select More SettingsClick Settings icon and select More Settings
  4. Choose Security and privacy from the left pane.
  5. Next to Blocked addresses, select Add.
  6. Under Add an email address to block, type the address you would like to block.
  7. Click Save.
Click SaveClick Save

To unblock an email address on Yahoo, you simply navigate to the Blocked Addresses category again and choose which sender you want to unblock.

The Yahoo mobile app lacks a direct sender blocking feature. Instead, you can mark messages from the unwanted senders as spam.

  1. In the Inbox, select the unwanted message or use the Search icon to find the sender.
  2. Check the box next to the message and tap More on the bottom action bar.
  3. Tap Mark as spam.

How to Block an Email on Mobile Devices using Clean Email

To manage your emails more efficiently on mobile, consider using the Clean Email app, compatible with iOS and Android. It is available for free download, allowing you to clean up to 1,000 emails at no cost. Additionally, it offers complimentary unsubscription from 25 newsletters and lets you test Screener, Auto Clean, and other premium features during a 14-day trial period.

Follow these steps to block an email sender on mobile with Clean Email:

  1. Install the app on your device and sign in with your mailbox.
  2. Tap the hamburger icon top-left and select Senders from the sidebar.
  3. Find and select the sender you wish to block.
  4. Go to Settings and select the Block option.
  5. Enable the toggle to send existing messages from this sender to Trash. Hit Confirm to finish.
Hit Confirm to finishHit Confirm to finish

It is also possible to block messages from an entire domain, here’s how:

  1. Open the app and select Auto Clean from the sidebar, then hit Create Rule.
  2. Name your rule and select Any sender or recipients.
  3. Choose Sender Domain from the menu, then type and select the desired domain in the search box.
  4. Decide where to direct messages from this domain, such as Archive or Trash. Turn on Apply to existing messages to remove current messages from the domain.
  5. Click Create Rule. Messages from this domain will now be automatically trashed upon arrival.
Click Create RuleClick Create Rule

How to Block an Email Address in Outlook

Outlook, formerly Hotmail, provides a straightforward way to stop unwanted emails. When you block an address in Outlook, it prevents any future messages from that sender from appearing in your inbox. Here’s how to block emails on Outlook web service:

  1. Go to your Inbox.
  2. Choose an email from the address you want to block, then click More options (three dots) on the top toolbar, and click Block.
  3. Click BlockClick Block
  4. Press OK to confirm your choice.

To manage your Outlook blocked senders list or to unblock Outlook email, click the Settings gear icon, choose Mail, and go to Junk email option to add senders and domains to blocked/allowed lists.

The Outlook mobile app allows you to block senders, although it requires blocking them individually. For an even easier approach on mobile, learn how to block an email on Outlook using Clean Email's Screener feature. This tool intercepts messages from new senders, preventing them from reaching your inbox.

Setting up the tool is straightforward: open the Clean Email app, sign in with your mailbox, navigate to the Screener section, and enable the feature. Then the tool will let you decide whether to allow, unsubscribe from, or block the incoming emails. With this setup, the app automatically eliminates future messages from senders you've blocked.

Block an Email Address with Screener in Clean EmailBlock an Email Address with Screener in Clean Email

How to Block an Email Address in ProtonMail

Even though one of the most secure providers ProtonMail uses a smart spam detection system to automatically block spam messages, sometimes junk emails get through anyway. When that happens, the best defense is to block the sender.

Here’s how to stop receiving emails using ProtonMail’s filters:

  1. Go to your ProtonMail inbox and click settings gear icon, located in the upper-right corner. Then click All settings.
  2. Click All settingsClick All settings
  3. From the menu on the left, select Filters → scroll down to the Spam, block, and allow lists section → click Add address or domain button → in the dropdown menu choose Block.
  4. Click Add addressClick Add address
  5. Choose whether to add an individual email or a domain to the block list.
  6. Enter the sender's address or the domain you would like to stop.
  7. Click Add address.

To quickly move an email address from the Blocked list to the Allowed list, click the three-dot button in the Edit column, and select the desired destination for the address.

How to Block Emails in iCloud Mail

Is your iCloud Mail address attracting spam email messages? If you use iCloud on your Mac computer, you can block emails on Mac by following these steps:

  1. Open the Mail app and select a message from the sender you want to block.
  2. Place the mouse pointer over the name in the message header.
  3. Select Block Contact. A blocked icon appears next to that sender’s name.
Select Block ContactSelect Block Contact

If you use iCloud mail on the web, you’ll block malicious senders using email filters, automatically filtering incoming messages to avoid having to do so manually later.

Here’s how to block emails on iCloud by setting up rules:

  1. Go to the iCloud website.
  2. Log in to your iCloud Mail inbox.
  3. Click the gear icon on the left and choose Settings.
  4. Click the gear icon and choose SettingsClick the gear icon and choose Settings
  5. Go to the Rules tab and click + Add New Rule.
  6. Click  + Add New RuleClick  + Add New Rule
  7. In the drop-down menu under Message select is from. Enter the mail address of the person you want to block.
  8. In the drop-down under Action menu choose Move to Trash.
  9. Click Add.
Click AddClick Add

To create such a rule on your iPhone, open Settings, click your Apple ID name on top, then go to iCloudiCloud Mail, choose iCloud Mail Rules and tap Add Rule, then insert the unwanted sender’s name or address, choose the action to perform in Action and Folder menus, click Done to finish.

Click Done to finishClick Done to finish

If the Apple Mail app is your preferred email client on mobile, it's important to know how to block an email on iPhone directly from this app. When you block a sender in the Mail app, their emails are sent to the Trash folder, and the block setting is synchronized across all your Apple devices.

Here’s how to block senders in the Mail app for iOS:

  1. Open the Mail app, and select a message from the unwanted sender.
  2. Click the sender’s name twice.
  3. Choose Block this Contact.
  4. Confirm the action.
Choose Block this ContactChoose Block this Contact

For added security, there's a method on how to stop spam emails on iPhone without opening the message. Simply long-press the email in your inbox, preview it, and select Block Sender.

How to Block Emails in AOL

To protect your account, AOL automatically scans and filters incoming messages, but any automatic anti-spam solution is guaranteed to make a mistake from time to time.

If you're getting overwhelmed by spam messages, take spam filtering into your own hands and proactively block emails on AOL in a web browser by following the steps below:

  1. Log in to your AOL Mail account.
  2. Select the settings gear icon at the top right, then choose More Settings.
  3. Select the settings gear icon, then choose More SettingsSelect the settings gear icon, then choose More Settings
  4. Go to Security and privacy, and press Add in the Blocked addresses section.
  5. Press Add in the Blocked addresses sectionPress Add in the Blocked addresses section
  6. Type in the email address to block.
  7. Press Save to enable the filter.
Press Save to enable the filterPress Save to enable the filter

AOL Mail lets you create up to 1,000 filters, and you can use them to automatically delete emails from certain senders, mark messages as read, and so on. To remove a blocked email address, hover the mouse cursor over it and click the trash icon.

The AOL mobile app lacks a built-in feature for blocking unwanted senders. While you can block senders via AOL Mail in a mobile web browser, this might not be the most convenient option. The recommended alternatives are to use Clean Email’s Block feature, or to mark email senders as spam:

  1. Open the AOL mobile app and go to your Inbox.
  2. Tap the contact's photo to select the message from unwanted sender, then tap More at the bottom.
  3. Select Mark as spam.
Select Mark as spamSelect Mark as spam

How to Block an Email Address in Zoho Mail

You can use email filters in Zoho Mail to block an email address and automatically delete all emails sent from it. Additionally, filters can help you automate certain email management tasks, such as labeling or forwarding emails.

To create a filter in Zoho Mail that adds an email address or domain to a block list:

  1. Log in to your Zoho Mail account.
  2. Click the Settings gear icon at the top.
  3. Click the Settings gear icon at the topClick the Settings gear icon at the top
  4. Select Anti-Spam Lists and choose Email Address to block specific emails. For entire domains, select the Domain section.
  5. In the Allowlist/Blocklist Emails tab, click Add above the Blocklist field.
  6. Click Add above the Blocklist fieldClick Add above the Blocklist field
  7. Click Add button when you’re finished.

How to Block Emails in GMX

GMX has an effective spam filter that protects users from annoying and potentially dangerous spam messages. Users can also block any mail account they want to stop receiving emails from it. We recommend you take advantage of this option to block clever spammers that have managed to get around the GMX spam filter.

Here’s how to block an email address in GMX:

  1. Sign in to your GMX account.
  2. Click E-mail Settings under the Personalization section on the left panel.
  3. Select Blocklist.
  4. Click SaveClick Save
  5. Enter the email address or domain name that you want to be blocked.
  6. Click Save.

How to Block Emails in Mail.com

You can block any email address in Mail.com using the blacklist. All addresses added to it are automatically moved to the Spam folder. The Mail.com blacklist supports not only complete addresses (example@domain.com), but also domain names (domain.com). When you add a domain name to the blacklist, Mail.com automatically blocks all email addresses associated with it.

Here’s how to block someone on email by managing your Mail.com blacklist:

  1. Log in to your Mail.com inbox.
  2. Click E-mail Settings on the left panel.
  3. Select Blocklist.
  4. Click Save to add it to your blocked listClick Save to add it to your blocked list
  5. Enter the sender's address or domain name.
  6. Click Save to add it to your blocked list.

Unsubscribing vs. Blocking

Blocking emails and unsubscribing from them serve different purposes in managing your inbox. Blocking stops emails from a specific sender by sending them to your Spam or Trash folder. However, if you're dealing with subscription emails and wish to stop them, remember that blocking doesn't remove your address from the sender's mailing list, and won't prevent the sender from continuing to send messages

On the other hand, unsubscribing is a more proactive approach for emails you've signed up for, like newsletters or marketing emails. These emails typically include an unsubscribe link, often found at the bottom. By following this link and completing the required steps, you can stop receiving future communications from that sender.

For cases involving subscriptions, Clean Email provides its Unsubscriber feature, a convenient tool that identifies subscription-based emails. This allows you to easily unsubscribe from emails from multiple senders in one place, saving time and effort, particularly when dealing with a large volume of subscription emails.

Simply hit the Unsubscribe button, and the app takes over, following the unsubscribe links and completing the necessary forms or other actions on your behalf. This makes the unsubscribing process straightforward and efficient.

Unsubscribe from emails with Clean EmailUnsubscribe from emails with Clean Email

Use Clean Email to Get Rid of Unwanted Emails

While major email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo offer various options for blocking email addresses and managing spam, not all platforms are equipped with such comprehensive features and user-friendly interfaces. Some functionalities may be limited or less intuitive.

This is where Clean Email steps in. Along with its blocking and unsubscribing capabilities, its Auto Clean feature stands out as a reliable tool for managing your inbox. By setting automatic rules, you can effortlessly manage individual emails or entire email groups without manual effort. The app’s automation capabilities offer a wide range of actions for new emails entering your mailbox.

For instance, you can set rules to automatically delete all marketing emails, move social media notifications into a dedicated folder, or mark messages from specific senders as read upon arrival. These automated processes optimize your email management and save significant time, allowing you to focus on important emails.

Auto Clean feature with Clean EmailAuto Clean feature with Clean Email

The app also offers other features such as Smart Folders. These involve predefined filters that are automatically applied to your mail, organizing messages so that related emails are grouped together. Using these email management features ensures that your inbox is filled only with messages you want to read.

Smart Folders feature in Clean EmailSmart Folders feature in Clean Email

Additionally, the app’s Privacy Monitor checks if your email credentials have been compromised in any known email data breach or security incident. If so, you'll be advised to change your password, enable multi-factor authentication, or take other security measures.

Privacy Monitor feature in Clean EmailPrivacy Monitor feature in Clean Email

Rest assured, your information is secure with Clean Email. Your data is encrypted and never shared, sold, or used. The app only examines email header information, such as the subject line, sender, recipient, size, and date. The body and attachments of messages are never downloaded or accessed.

To explore the app and the various ways it can help you organize, group, remove, label, and archive your emails, sign up for free. Clean Email is available as a web version and also offers apps for iPhone, Android, and Mac.

Conclusion

In 2024, learning how to block an email address is crucial for effective digital communication management. This article provides clear instructions for popular email services like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others, empowering users to control their inboxes. By blocking unwanted messages, users not only keep their inboxes clean but also enhance their online safety, shielding themselves from spam and potential security threats.

Clean Email stands out as a comprehensive tool for managing emails, offering features like Auto Clean, Unsubscriber, Screener, and more. These functionalities automate routine inbox management tasks, allowing users to focus on important emails. The app's user-friendly interface and privacy-focused features make it an essential tool for anyone looking to optimize their email experience in a secure and organized way.


How To Block An Email Address – FAQs

Can you block someone’s email address?

Yes, you can do it! The process of blocking an address is different depending on what type of email you have. Read the above sections to learn how to block email addresses in Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, ProtonMail, iCloud Mail, AOL, Zoho Mail, GMX, and Mail.com.

What happens when you block an email?

When you block an email, future messages from that sender are automatically redirected to your Spam or Trash folder, and you won't receive notifications for these emails. However, the sender of the message won’t be notified that they have been blocked or that you aren't reading their emails.

How to block someone from emailing you?

You can block a sender, but this doesn't mean you'll stop them from emailing you; their messages will simply be directed to your Spam or Junk folder. For subscription emails, unsubscribing is more effective, and Clean Email's Unsubscriber feature can help you efficiently remove your address from mailing lists.

Where do blocked emails go?

Blocked emails typically go to the Spam or Junk folder, depending on your email service provider's settings. You can go to these folders to review and delete those messages. If you don’t delete them, those messages will be deleted automatically by the mail provider after a certain time period which may be different for various providers.

Why do I still get emails from a blocked sender?

Sometimes spammers use multiple addresses to send spam to your folder. You might stop one sender but have not yet blocked the others. Finding and blocking the root email domain should cut off all communication with a specific sender.

Do blocked emails bounce back to sender?

Though blocking an email does not necessarily bounce it back to the sender, that is a possibility depending on the mail service you use.

How do you let a sender know they are blocked?

If you add a sender to your blocked senders list, they will not be notified that you blocked them. However, if you would like to notify them, the most common way to do this is to send a message to the sender describing that you plan to stop getting messages from them and why.

How to unblock emails if you change your mind?

To unblock emails, go to the settings of your email provider, find the list of blocked addresses or filters, and remove the email address or rule that you previously set to block the sender.

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