To block emails on Android, open the Gmail app and open the message from the sender you want to block. Then tap More (the three dots next to Reply) and tap Block "{sender}", this is the primary, verified method to block emails on Android.
How to block emails on Android using the Gmail app
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app.
- Open the message from the sender you want to block.
- At the top right, next to Reply, tap More (the three-dot menu).
- Tap Block "{sender}".
This method works the same way on iPhone, iPad, and computer: open the message, use the message menu, and block the sender.
What happens after you block a sender
After you block a sender in Gmail, all future emails from that sender go directly to your Spam folder, they will not appear in your main inbox. Blocking is device-specific, meaning it only affects the Gmail app on the device where you performed the block. If you use the same account on another device, you will need to block the sender again on that device. This helps with phone data and storage management by keeping spam out of your inbox and reducing clutter.
How to unblock a sender in Gmail
To unblock a sender, open a message from that sender in your Spam folder, tap More (the three dots), and tap Unblock "{sender}". You can also move a message from Spam back to your inbox, which will automatically unblock the sender. After unblocking, future emails from that sender will return to your inbox.
Using other email apps to block senders
Third-party email apps like Microsoft Outlook offer similar block features, usually found in the message menu. For Outlook on Android, open the email, tap the three-dot menu, and select Block. The exact steps may vary by app, but most popular email clients provide a block sender option within the message or settings menu. Apple Mail on Mac can block up to 3,000 senders. For Apple Mail on iPhone, the documented path is: open the message, tap the sender’s email address, tap View Contact Card, then tap Block this Contact. For Apple Mail on Mac, open the message, click the arrow next to the sender’s name in the message header, then choose Block Sender or Block Contact; blocked senders are managed from Mail settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block emails based on specific keywords or phrases on Android?
Gmail does not offer a consumer filter path for blocking by keywords through the block-sender action. However, you can create filters in Gmail settings to automatically send emails containing certain keywords to Spam or delete them.
Will blocking emails on my Android device also block them on other devices?
No. Blocking a sender in the Gmail app on Android only affects that device. If you use the same email account on another phone, tablet, or computer, you must block the sender separately on each device.
Can I unblock a sender after blocking them?
Yes. Open a message from the blocked sender in your Spam folder, tap More, and select Unblock. You can also move the message to your inbox, which unblocks the sender automatically.
Does blocking a sender delete old emails from them?
No. Blocking only affects future messages. Any emails already in your inbox or other folders remain untouched and will not be moved to Spam.
How do I manage blocked senders in Gmail?
In the Gmail app, go to Settings, tap your account, then tap Manage labels or Blocked addresses to view and edit your blocked senders list. Google Workspace admins can block senders or domains in the Admin console under Menu > Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Spam, Phishing and Malware > Blocked senders.
