How to block a sender in Gmail
Blocking a sender in Gmail sends every future email from that address straight to Spam. Gmail can do it on its own, but the option is buried in a menu. Here is the built-in way, and a faster one.
The built-in way
- Open an email from the sender.
- Click the three-dot More menu at the top right of the message (next to Reply).
- Choose Block “sender name”, then confirm.
That works, but it is three clicks per email, and only from an open message.
The one-click way: Block Sender for Gmail
Block Sender for Gmail puts Gmail’s own Block action right beside Report spam in the toolbar. Click it once from an open email or from the inbox list. It uses Gmail’s real blocked-addresses list, so nothing new is stored and you manage blocks in Gmail as usual.
Add to Chrome, it’s free (opens the Chrome Web Store in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Does the sender know I blocked them?
No. Gmail does not notify the sender. Their emails just land in your Spam folder.
How do I unblock someone in Gmail?
Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses, find the address and click Unblock.
Does blocking work on the Gmail mobile app?
Blocks are saved to your Google account, so a sender blocked on the web is also blocked on your phone. The extension itself runs in Chrome on desktop.
Is Block Sender for Gmail free?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and does not store your emails.