How to Block a Sender in Gmail (Desktop + Mobile)

What is Blocking a Sender in Gmail?

Blocking a sender in Gmail prevents all future emails from that specific email address from reaching your inbox. Blocked emails are automatically moved to your spam folder, where you can still see them if needed. This guide shows you how to block senders in Gmail on both desktop and mobile devices.

Block vs filter vs report spam

Understanding the difference helps you choose the right action:

• Block - Prevents emails from a specific sender from reaching your inbox (moves to spam)
• Filter - Routes emails based on criteria (can archive, label, or delete)
• Report spam - Teaches Gmail's spam filter and moves email to spam

Use block when: You want to permanently prevent emails from a specific sender.

Use filter when: You want more control over how emails are handled (e.g., label and archive instead of spam).

Use report spam when: The email is clearly spam and you want to help improve Gmail"s spam detection.

Desktop steps

There are two ways to block a sender in Gmail on desktop. Choose the method that works best for you:

Method 1: From an Email (Quick Method)

This is the fastest way to block a sender when you have an email from them:

Step 1: Open the Email

1. Find and open any email from the sender you want to block
2. The email can be in your inbox, spam, or any label
3. You don't need to reply or interact with it first

Step 2: Access the Menu

1. Look for the three dots menu (...) in the top right corner of the email
2. It's next to the reply, forward, and archive buttons
3. Click the three dots to open the menu

Step 3: Block the Sender

1. In the dropdown menu, look for "Block [sender name]"
   • The sender's name or email will appear in the option
   • Example: "Block john@example.com" or "Block John Smith"
2. Click "Block [sender name]"

Step 4: Confirm the Block

1. A confirmation popup will appear
2. It will explain that future emails from this sender will be moved to spam
3. Click "Block" to confirm
4. Or click "Cancel" if you change your mind

What happens next:

• Future emails from this sender are automatically moved to spam
• You'll see a confirmation message
• The sender is added to your blocked addresses list
• You can unblock them later if needed

Method 2: From Settings (Advanced Method)

This method gives you more control and options:

Step 1: Access Gmail Settings

1. Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top right corner of Gmail
2. Select "See all settings" from the dropdown menu
3. This opens the full Gmail settings page

Step 2: Navigate to Filters

1. Click on the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab
2. This shows all your existing filters and blocked addresses
3. You can see previously blocked senders here

Step 3: Create a New Filter

1. Click "Create a new filter" button
2. A filter creation dialog will appear
3. This allows you to set up blocking with more options

Step 4: Enter Sender Email

1. In the "From" field, enter the email address you want to block
   • Example: spam@example.com or unwanted@sender.com
   • Enter the full email address, not just the name
2. You can enter multiple addresses separated by OR:
   • Example: spam@example.com OR unwanted@example.com
3. Click "Create filter" to proceed

Step 5: Choose Filter Action Select what to do with emails from this sender:

Option 1: Delete it

• Permanently deletes emails from this sender
• Warning: Cannot be recovered
• Use only if you're 100% certain

Option 2: Skip the Inbox (Archive it) - Recommended

• Archives emails but keeps them in All Mail
• Can be recovered if needed
• Safer option with safety net

Option 3: Apply the label

• Routes emails to a specific label
• Allows review before deleting
• Good for monitoring

Step 6: Apply to Existing Emails (Optional)

1. Check "Also apply filter to matching conversations" if you want to process existing emails
2. This will apply the filter to emails already in your inbox
3. Useful when setting up the filter for the first time

Step 7: Create the Filter

1. Review your settings
2. Verify the email address is correct
3. Click "Create filter" to save

Benefits of Method 2:

• More control over what happens to blocked emails
• Can apply to existing emails
• Can combine with other filter criteria
• More options for handling blocked emails

Mobile steps

On Android

1. Open the Gmail app
2. Open an email from the sender
3. Tap the three dots menu (...) in the top right
4. Select "Block [sender name]"
5. Confirm by tapping "Block"

On iOS

1. Open the Gmail app
2. Open an email from the sender
3. Tap the three dots menu (...) in the top right
4. Select "Block [sender name]"
5. Confirm by tapping "Block'

When block is not enough

Sometimes blocking a single sender isn't sufficient. Here are common scenarios and solutions:

Problem 1: Sender Uses Multiple Addresses

The issue:

• Sender creates new email addresses to bypass blocks
• You block spam@example.com, they send from spam2@example.com
• You block that, they send from spam3@example.com
• Endless cycle of blocking new addresses

Solutions:

Option 1: Block the Domain

• Block the entire domain instead of individual addresses
• Catches all addresses from that domain
• More effective against persistent senders
• Risk: May block legitimate emails from that domain

Option 2: Pattern-Based Filtering

• Create filters for common patterns in their emails
• Filter by subject line patterns
• Filter by email content patterns
• More flexible than blocking addresses

Option 3: Advanced Filtering Tools

• Use Email Ferret to detect patterns
• Identifies emails even from new addresses
• Analyzes content and behavior, not just sender
• Adapts to new tactics automatically

Problem 2: Domain-Level Blocking Needed

The issue:

• Multiple senders from the same domain send unwanted emails
• Blocking individual addresses is too time-consuming
• You want to block the entire domain

Solutions:

Option 1: Block the Domain

• Create a filter for @domain.com
• Blocks all emails from that domain
• More efficient than blocking individual addresses
• See: "How to Block a Domain in Gmail" guide for details

Option 2: Filter by Domain Patterns

• Filter emails from specific domain patterns
• Combine with other criteria for better accuracy
• More flexible than full domain blocking

Problem 3: More Sophisticated Filtering Needed

The issue:

• Simple blocking doesn't catch all variations
• Senders use different tactics
• Need pattern-based detection

Solutions:

Option 1: Multiple Filters

• Create filters for different patterns
• Filter by subject line variations
• Filter by content patterns
• Filter by sender behavior

Option 2: Advanced Filtering Tools

• Use Email Ferret for intelligent detection
• Analyzes multiple signals (content, sender, behavior)
• Adapts to new tactics automatically
• More accurate than manual filters

Option 3: Combine Methods

• Use blocking for known bad senders
• Use filters for pattern detection
• Use advanced tools for sophisticated detection
• Layer multiple approaches for best protection

Problem 4: Sender Changes Tactics

The issue:

• Sender adapts to your blocking
• Changes email format or content
• Uses different sending patterns

Solutions:

Option 1: Pattern-Based Detection

• Filter by content patterns, not just sender
• Catch emails even when sender changes
• More resilient to tactic changes

Option 2: Advanced Tools

• Email Ferret adapts to new tactics automatically
• Learns from sender behavior changes
• Detects patterns you might miss

Better routing

Instead of just blocking, consider a comprehensive routing strategy that provides better protection while reducing false positives:

Strategy 1: Label and Review

Approach:

1. Route suspicious emails to a "Review" label instead of blocking immediately
2. Review labeled emails weekly or monthly
3. Block only after confirming they're unwanted
4. Move legitimate emails back to inbox

Benefits:

• Safety net for false positives
• Can recover if you made a mistake
• Learn what you're blocking
• More flexible than permanent blocking

Setup:

• Create filter: From -> sender email
• Action: Apply label "Review", Skip inbox
• Review label weekly
• Block permanently after confirming

Strategy 2: Use Allowlists

Approach:

1. Build an allowlist of important contacts
2. Ensure allowlist emails always reach inbox
3. Block or filter everything else more aggressively
4. Review and update allowlist regularly

Benefits:

• Protects important contacts
• Allows more aggressive filtering
• Reduces false positives
• Centralized management

Setup:

• Create allowlist filter: From -> important contacts
• Action: Never mark as spam, Star it
• Add allowlist exceptions to all other filters
• Review allowlist monthly

Strategy 3: Review Periodically

Approach:

1. Check spam folder weekly for false positives
2. Review filtered labels for legitimate emails
3. Unblock or adjust filters as needed
4. Learn from what you're blocking

Benefits:

• Catch mistakes early
• Improve filter accuracy
• Learn from patterns
• Maintain effective filtering

Schedule:

• Weekly: Quick check of spam and filtered labels
• Monthly: Detailed review of all filters
• Quarterly: Comprehensive audit of filtering system

Strategy 4: Combine with Filters

Approach:

1. Use blocking for known bad senders
2. Use filters for pattern detection
3. Combine multiple approaches
4. Layer protection for best results

Benefits:

• Multiple layers of protection
• Catches variations and new tactics
• More comprehensive coverage
• Better accuracy overall

Example combination:

• Block specific spam senders
• Filter "quick question" patterns
• Filter calendar booking spam
• Use Email Ferret for AI detection
• Allowlist protects important contacts

Strategy 5: Gradual Escalation

Approach:

1. Start with labeling and review
2. Escalate to filtering if pattern continues
3. Block only after multiple unwanted emails
4. Review and adjust based on results

Benefits:

• Conservative approach reduces false positives
• Gives senders a chance to stop
• Allows learning before permanent action
• More flexible and reversible

Escalation path:

1. First unwanted email: Label for review
2. Second unwanted email: Filter to label
3. Third+ unwanted emails: Block sender
4. Multiple senders from domain: Consider domain block

This comprehensive routing strategy provides better protection while reducing the risk of missing important emails. It combines blocking, filtering, allowlists, and review for optimal results.

FAQs

How do I block a sender in Gmail?

On desktop, open the email, click the three dots menu, and select "Block [sender]". On mobile, open the email, tap the three dots menu, and select "Block [sender]'. Gmail will automatically move future emails from that sender to spam.

What happens when I block a sender?

When you block a sender in Gmail, their future emails are automatically moved to your spam folder. You can still see blocked emails in spam, but they won"t appear in your inbox.

Can I unblock a sender?

Yes, you can unblock a sender by going to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses, finding the blocked address, and clicking "Unblock".