How to Block Someone on Gmail, and Unblock Them (2026)

Some senders just won't stop: the supplier who ignores your unsubscribe, the ex-colleague, the stranger who found your address on a directory. Gmail lets you block them in a few clicks, and the effect is gentler than people expect, which is worth knowing before you rely on it.

Here's the whole process from Google's own help, what blocking does and doesn't do, how to undo it, and what to do if the messages are more than annoying.

Blocking a sender in Gmail on a computer

1. Open Gmail in your browser and open a message from the person you want to block.
2. At the top right of the message, find the Reply arrow and click More beside it.
3. Choose the option to block that sender.

Google's help names the sender in the menu item, so you'll see their name or address in the choice. Menu wording can differ a little between versions, but More next to Reply is the place to look.

Blocking someone in the Gmail app on Android or iPhone

On an Android phone or tablet, Google says to open the Gmail app, open the message from the sender, and at the top right tap More next to Reply, then tap the block option with their name. The iPhone and iPad app is laid out similarly, but I couldn't confirm its exact wording, so if yours looks different, open a message from the sender and look for a More menu near Reply.

What happens to emails from a blocked Gmail sender

This is the part many people misunderstand. Google says that after you block a sender, all future emails from them go to Spam. They aren't bounced back, and the sender isn't told. The messages simply stop appearing in your inbox and sit in Spam instead.

Question	What Google's help says
Where do blocked emails go?	Into your Spam folder
Does the sender get a warning?	Google's page doesn't describe one
What if I unblock them?	New emails from them go to your inbox
Does it cover messages already received?	The help talks about future emails

Unblocking someone in Gmail

Changed your mind, or blocked the wrong person? Google gives two routes on a computer:

1. From a message: open a message from the sender, click More next to Reply, and choose the unblock option.
2. From settings: click Settings, then See all settings, then Filters and Blocked Addresses. Tick the box by the address and click Unblock selected addresses.

After you unblock a sender, Google says new emails from them go to your inbox. If they still land in Spam, the help points to a separate article about valid emails going to Spam.

Blocking a Gmail sender versus reporting spam

They're not the same thing. Block is for a particular person or address you never want to hear from. Reporting spam is for junk and scams, and it helps Gmail spot the pattern for everyone. Google's page says some spam can still reach your inbox and you can report it from there.

• Block a person who keeps contacting you after you've asked them to stop.
• Report spam for mass junk, fake offers and anything you didn't ask for.
• Report phishing for a suspicious email that asks for personal information. Google says those can be reported as phishing.

If someone is harassing you by Gmail

An unwanted newsletter is an annoyance. Threats and harassment are something else. Google's help says that if someone uses Gmail to harass or threaten you, you should contact your local authorities. Block the sender so you don't have to keep seeing it, but keep the messages as evidence first, and report it to the police if you feel unsafe.

Deciding whether to block a Gmail sender or just ignore them

A good test is how often it happens. One odd email from a stranger is easy to delete. The same name turning up every week is worth a block, because you won't have to look at it again. Anything that looks like a scam should be reported, not just blocked, and never answered.

Don't reply to tell someone you're blocking them. It confirms your address works and invites more of the same.

Blocking Gmail senders when you run a business

A business inbox has its own problems: cold pitches, repeat quote chasers, and the occasional person who won't take no for an answer. I'd keep it simple:

• Block repeat unwanted senders instead of replying to each one.
• Don't block a customer or supplier because you're annoyed. Their later emails would land in Spam and you could miss something important.
• Check Spam once a week for blocked senders you've changed your mind about.
• For newsletters you subscribed to, unsubscribe instead of blocking, which is kinder and keeps your records tidy.

If the emails you're blocking are sales approaches, my piece on what makes cold emails get replies shows what a decent one looks like, which can make the bad ones easier to spot. For broader inbox calm, see managing email overload.

If you can't block someone on Gmail

1. Open a message from the person first. The block option lives inside a message, not the inbox list.
2. Click More next to Reply, not the three dots on the top toolbar.
3. Check you're signed in to the right account.
4. If it's a work account, your admin may control some sender settings.

Menu names vary by app version, so when in doubt open the message and look for More next to the Reply arrow.

Frequently asked questions

How do I block someone on Gmail?

Open a message from them, click More next to Reply at the top right, and choose the block option for that sender. After that, Google says their future emails go to Spam.

Does the person know I blocked them on Gmail?

Google's help doesn't describe any notification. It says their future emails go to your Spam folder.

How do I unblock someone on Gmail?

Open a message from them and use More next to Reply, or go to Settings, See all settings, Filters and Blocked Addresses, tick their box and click Unblock selected addresses.

Is blocking the same as reporting spam in Gmail?

No. Blocking sends one sender's future emails to Spam. Reporting spam flags junk or phishing so Gmail can learn from it.

What should I do if an email threatens me?

Keep the message, block the sender and contact your local authorities, as Google's help advises.