How to Block Emails in Gmail

We have all experienced it: you sign up for a single webinar or buy one item from an online store, and suddenly your inbox is flooded with daily marketing newsletters. Sometimes, even the “Unsubscribe” button at the bottom of these emails does not work, or worse, clicking it just confirms to a spammer that your email address is active.

When you encounter a relentless sender who refuses to leave you alone, you must take matters into your own hands. Here is how to permanently block emails from a specific sender in Gmail, ensuring their messages go straight to the trash.

How to Block a Sender on the Desktop Website

The fastest way to block someone is directly from one of their emails.

1. Open your web browser, go to gmail.com, and log in.
2. Open an email from the person or company you want to block.
3. Look at the top-right corner of the email message itself (not the top of the entire Gmail window). You will see a Reply arrow and, next to it, three vertical dots (the “More” menu).
4. Click those three vertical dots.
5. From the drop-down menu, select Block “[Sender’s Name]”.
6. A confirmation window will pop up explaining that future messages from this address will be marked as spam. Click the blue Block button to confirm.

From this moment on, any new emails sent from that exact email address will bypass your inbox entirely and be quietly deposited into your Spam folder, where Google will automatically delete them after 30 days.

How to Block a Sender on the Gmail Mobile App

The process is nearly identical on both the iPhone and Android versions of the Gmail app.

1. Open the Gmail app on your smartphone.
2. Tap to open an email from the sender you want to block.
3. Look for the three horizontal dots. Crucial Note: There are two sets of dots. Do not tap the dots in the very top right corner of the app screen. Instead, tap the three dots inside the email header, right next to the Reply icon.
4. Tap Block “[Sender’s Name]” from the menu that slides up from the bottom.

A dark grey banner will appear at the top of the email confirming the block.

How to Unblock Someone (If You Made a Mistake)

If you accidentally block your boss or a crucial client, do not panic. You can easily reverse the process.

Method 1: From the Email
If you still have the email open, simply click the three dots again and select Unblock “[Sender’s Name]”. Or, click the large “Unblock sender” button inside the grey warning banner at the top of the email.

Method 2: From the Settings Menu
If you already deleted the email, you must manage your block list.

1. On the desktop website, click the gear icon in the top right corner and select See all settings.
2. Click on the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab at the top.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page to find your list of blocked email addresses.
4. Check the box next to the email address you want to restore, and click the Unblock button.