Having an inbox full of email from unknown and unwanted spammy messages is frustrating not to mention time-intensive to clear out!
The good news is that Apple offers different ways to block folks from sending all that junk to your email’s inbox. And starting in iOS 13 and iPadOS, we have even more options to block specific email senders.
Blocking unwanted emails on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod
The way we communicate today is dramatically changing with the advent of new technologies. iPad and iPhones are great communication tools in that they allow you to communicate via emails, Messages, Facetime and occasionally even a phone call via VOIP applications that vary from Skype, Whatsapp and others.
However, the price we pay for having all these various channels of communication is that it opens us up to even more spam messages as unwanted communication.
With iOs 13+ and iPadOS, you can now ignore your blocked senders using two features (Blocked and Blocked Sender Options) in Settings > Mail. This blocked contacts list is shared with Messages, FaceTime, and Phone and you can make changes in those app settings too!
Using iOS13+ or iPadOS–blocking email addresses just got a heck of a lot easier!
Verify that the email address you want to block is in your Contacts app
If the address isn’t in your Contacts app, add it either to an existing contact or create a new contact card
Once the email address is in Contacts, open your Settings app
Tap Mail
Under the Threading options, tap Blocked Sender Options
Choose what you want to do with any mail from a blocked sender. Choices include None, Mark as Blocked Leave in Inbox or Move to Trash
After you toggle that setting on, tap Blocked and choose Add New
Tap on the contact you want to block
If you enable Mail in iCloud, blocking a sender works across all your Apple devices
You can also block email from the Mail app
Open an email from a sender you want to block
Tap the name of the sender
Then tap the name listed next to From in the header
Choose Block This Contact
Confirm you want to block the contact
iOS and iPadOS add that contact to your Blocked list
Once you block a contact via the Mail app , you won’t see email from that contact again in your Apple Mail app (you will still see it in your email provider’s app or when using a web browser.)
What happens to the blocked email?
When you block a specified sender, that email is automatically moved to the trash.
How do I unblock a contact?
To unblock a contact, open Settings > Mail > Blocked and swipe on the contact you want to unblock. Then tap unblock.
You can unblock contacts from the settings menu for Messages, FaceTime, and Mail. Or open the Contacts App and unblock contacts there.
Additional blocking features in iOS13
Blocking unknown callers is also a lot easier in iOS 13.
Open Settings >Phone and toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
There’s no easy way to blocking specific email addresses on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad using iOS12 and below. But by marking spam emails as junk on the email rules, you can train your iDevice to move these into the junk folder automatically.
Google recently made changes in its Gmail application to help users with blocking specific email addresses. If you use Yahoo mail, there are also a few options that we will highlight in this article.
First, let’s cover the basics:
Step ->1
The most important thing to do is not to open emails from senders that you don’t recognize. And be wary of attachments in these emails and refrain from clicking on any of the attachments. When you see the spam email on your Mail app on your iPad, swipe it to the left. You will see three options: “More | Flag | Trash.”
Step ->2
Tap on the “More” option. You will see various options that show up on the right-hand side. We will use the last option marked “Move Message..” Tap on this, and you will see a new panel on the left showing all the various folders to which you can move this message to. Tap on the Junk folder, and the email moves to Junk.
Moving the message to Junk Folder.
Step –>3
If you have already opened the email, you can very quickly move it to the Junk folder by clicking on the little “Folder” icon on top right hand and then choosing the “Junk” folder on the subsequent screen.
Set Up a Rule for your Mac’s Mail
Luckily, Apple’s Mac Mail App makes it simple to set up rules!
And we can quickly set up a rule to automatically put emails in the Trash or Spam folders.
Rules don’t block an email from being sent, BUT it does prevent an email from being read! Unfortunately, this function is only available on Macs–not yet on iDevices.
Setting up a “Block” Rule for Mac Mail
Open your Mail App
In the Top Menu choose Mail > Preferences
Select the Rules Tab
Choose Add Rule
Name Your Rule
If blocking a particular email address, use this as the rule name
Select your parameters
Choose Delete Message from Perform the following actions:
Block email at the root level with filters
Block Gmail
Google Gmail
Since Gmail is one of the most popular email applications that is used by our users, let’s explore the “Block” feature from Google.
Open your Gmail account using an internet browser, not an app
Go to your Inbox (or whatever folders you established)
Open a message from a sender you wish to block
Navigate to the top right-hand corner of a message,
Tap on the More button (usually three verticle dots or a triangle)
Choose Block “Sender” (sender is the name/email address you wish to block)
Press Block to confirm you want to block that sender
Future emails from those blocked addresses go directly into your spam folder
Periodically clean your spam folder to remove all those emails–we suggest at least once per month
“Blocking” sends an email from a particular email address to the spam folder. The email continues to live on in the spam folder.
Make an automatic filter to block email addresses
It may be a better option to just delete the email when it arrives by setting up an automated filter so that it moves to “Trash.” Please follow the steps below:
Step -> 1. Log into your Gmail account on your computer. In your Inbox, select the message by clicking on the little checkbox and then click on “More.” You will see a list of dropdowns. Choose “Filter Messages like These.”
Step->2. You will see a new window with the email address in the From field. At the bottom of this window, please click on “Create Filter with this Search” and choose the “Delete” option in the next screen as shown below. When an email arrives from this particular sender in the future, it will automatically get deleted and go to your “Trash” folder.
Step->3 Blocking the Sender in Gmail
If you have opened the email, click on the down arrow and you will see a list of options as shown in the image below. You can choose to Block the Sender by selecting the Block Option.
Step->4 You can periodically review your blocked and Automated Filter Settings for Gmail. You can do this by clicking on the gear icon on your Gmail at the top right side and then choose Settings > Filters and blocked Addresses.
Block Outlook Mail
Instructions for Outlook for Outlook.com, Microsoft 365,Outlook 2019,Outlook 2016,Outlook 2013,Outlook 2010,Outlook 2007
Open your Outlook email
Or use Outlook.com via an internet browser
Right-click on a message from the sender you want to block or choose Message from Outlook’s menu bar
Choose Junk > Block Sender, Junk Mail > Block Sender, or Block
All future messages from that email sender go to your Junk Email folder
When you block a sender, that email address can still send you mail, but all email from that specific email address is automatically and immediately moved to your Junk Email folder.
Remember to periodically clean and delete all emails from your Outlook’s Junk folder!
If you receive a lot of unwanted emails from a particular sender or domain, block that email address and domain using Outlook’s blocked senders’ list. This list automatically moves any email message directly to your Junk Email folder.
You can also add email addresses and domains to Outlook’s Block Senders list
In your Home tab, go to your Delete group and choose Junk
Choose Junk E-mail Options
In the Blocked Senders tab, click Add
Enter the email address or internet domain you want to block
Click OK
Repeat to add additional email addresses or domains
You can block up to 1,024 addresses or domains in the blocked senders list
Use Outlook on the web?
Tap on your Outlook’s Settings (gear symbol)
Tap View all Outlook settings
From the Sidebar, select Mail and then Junk email
Under Blocked senders and domains, tap the Add button and enter the email address or domain
If you are using Yahoo Mail, please check this article. Yahoo allows up to 500 different senders to be blocked.
By configuring the blocking and filtering rules on your favorite email service provider, you can limit the number of unwanted emails coming into your inbox on your iPad and iPhone. By using the Move to Junk option on your iPad, your iPad will keep track of these senders and will move them into junk.
Block AOL Mail
Log in to your AOL account
Go to AOL Keyword: Mail Controls. For versions 10.1 and higher, click on the “Mail” icon followed by “Settings” and then “Spam Controls.” Click “Edit Spam Controls” to launch AOL Desktop 10.1’s mail controls
In Sender Filter, click the Block mail from addresses I specify option
In the text box, type the email address that you want to block. Add multiple email addresses by separating each email address with a comma
Click Save
With AOL, you can block a maximum of 1000 email addresses and domain names.
It’s easy to Unsubscribe from email on iPhone & iPad
If filtering or setting up rules is just not your thing, another option that works for mass email lists is to unsubscribe.
You won’t see this option for all your email but it shows up on quite a lot of mass emails, newsletters, and spam emails.
Open the Mail app
Tap on an email from a website or company you don’t want to receive emails from
At the top of the email, look for blue text that says unsubscribe
Tap unsubscribe
Confirm that you want to Unsubscribe
Sometimes you are taken to a site for feedback, other times you aren’t
After unsubscribing, you may still receive emails from that provider for a few days or weeks.
Blocking Unwanted Text Messages
Getting harassed by unwanted text messages can be a major nuisance. Sometimes these are adverts from companies while there could also be those occasional contacts that you don’t want to be social with any longer. Here’s how to add these gentle souls into your blocked list:
Step ->1 If the message is open, tap the Details link in the top right corner of the message.
Step->2 On the following screen, tap the “i” icon. You will see a list of options. Select the last one, “Block this Caller.”
Step->3 You will be asked to confirm on the next pop-up window. Once confirmed, you will no longer receive phone calls, messages or FaceTimes from this contact.
Step->4 You can periodically review and edit the list of numbers you have blocked by going to Settings > Messages > Blocked.
There is also another option in iOS that merits mention in this section.
You can also filter out iMessages from people not listed in your contacts.
Go to Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. When you open Messages, you’ll see a new tab for Unknown Senders. When you turn on this option, you won’t get notifications for iMessages from Unknown Senders.
Blocking from FaceTime
Facebook blocking is very similar to the prior step. In the App, you will see each of the calls received is listed and has an “I” icon next to it. Tap the “I” next to the person you want to block and confirm your action on the subsequent pop-up window.
You can review and edit your blocked list in your Settings by Settings > FaceTime > Blocked.
Summary
Certain carriers also provide for additional features when it comes to spam control and blocking “Restricted” numbers et al. Please feel free to check with your carrier.
We have provided the link to Verizon here as an example.
Although the multitude of options that we have provided in the article may seem to be a little daunting for the newbie, we certainly think that it is worth exploring these options.
A cluttered email inbox not only appears less appealing but it can also hinder your productivity. By choosing to use some of the Automated Filter options on your email, you can easily organize your emails and make the best of your time.
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.
What I cannot believe after all of this time that spam mail has been around the best Apple can offer is to “add the contact and block” do they even have any idea how many spam emails a person receive per day and how much time that would take? Talk about taking away from productivity time spam mail is issue.
Why has Apple not addressed this problem?
All the users are asking for is a simple way to block unwanted emails that comes in daily.
I’ve used the rules to only find out that it does not work on incoming mail only after it’s in the income and you have to run the rules manually.
I’m currently looking into what’s out there that can stop spam mail when it hits your mailbox.
What has been said is a whole lot of crap. I have done what is said and it just DOESNT WORK and there must be millions out there with the same issue. Apple needs to FIX IT
I am daily receiving a group message with 20 people. I have done everything that is listed and I am still receiving them. It is not the same email that is sending the texts and it is not the same 20 people in the group text. How do I stop it? It is driving me nuts.
Limiting “spam” filters to email addresses is a waste of time. The bad guys use software that generates new fake addresses for every message, and they point to locations all over the world. Totally useless.
What we NEED is a configurable filter that allows the ability to look for words in the BODY of the message. Do you know how many messages would disappear if I could find & delete every message with the word “viagra” in it?
PLEASE! After releasing the Version 14 iteration of IOS you would think that someone would have asked for this feature in the last 10+ years!!
Thanks for posting this. After the new 14.0 update I had to delete and reinstall my email account on the iPhone. Of course it defaulted to IMAP which messed me up bad. Delete on iPhone was deleting on server before my other computer could pick up the emails. Also, I don’t archive on my phone, but do in my many Outlook folders on my desktop.
When iPhone was deleting from the server it messed things up.
Did what you suggested, deleted the account from the phone and reinstalled as POP. All OK.now. But I still had Apple’s habit of breaking things and changing things that have been working forever. Wasted many hours over several days trying to restore my phone and email to previously working condition.
I researched this for a few days, my iPhone messages filter unknown sender does not work for spam emails sent as text.
I found free Smart Filter app which does work, fantastic!
You show us AND tell us how to block emails, but I need help with Texts.
I did not find a “ Details” on my upper right hand corner and cant find it anywhere.
I am receiving one text message containing 20 telephone numbers. How do I block the main text message and the multiple messages it contains all at one time?
Before spectrum took over from bright house as my internet and email provider when i open their email on safari there was an option to report spam to apple. When i reported the spam email to apple, the junk mail would stop. With spectrum web mail there is no such option. I have tried to block senders however i still get a dozen or more spam mail a day.
Help me stop these emails using ipad mail -please!
I have an iPhone 6S IOS 13.4.1. I’ve followed all the directions about Blocking Senders from my email. It seemed to work at first and they went directly into Trash but now they all appear in my inbox with the Blocked Sender icon beside them. Please help.
Yes, it seems a bit temperamental. We’ve had that same issue. What we suggest is either removing and adding back those contacts to your blocked list OR blocking them via your email services rather than via iOS/iPadOS’ Blocker Contacts list (or do both).
Blocking on the email service side is more consistent. But the direction on how to do so vary widely, so take a look at your email services support pages to locate exact steps.
There were no instructions on how to block outlook emails on my iPad air 3 tablet!
You had them for Gmail, yahoo mail, even AOL email but nothing for outlook email.
I get a ton of unwanted emails in my outlook and never ever open them.
I tap on the flag icon and tap on move to junk.
THAT DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to stop the same vendor email 4 times a day coming into my Inbox!
Every day I get the same emails that I’ve junked a dozen or more times so what is the point of MOVING when the result is the as of just DELETING them!
So far I am so sorry I purchased an iPad!
I liked my two older Androids much better and had more control over emails.
I will probably try to sell this iPad and just get a newer Android tablet. And the 2nd WORST thing about Apple iPads are THE HAVE NO USB PORT, how ridiculous is that!!!?
Sorry about that. We’ve updated the article with instructions for blocking in Outlook:
Add email addresses and domains to Outlook’s Block Senders list
In your Home tab, go to your Delete group and choose Junk
Choose Junk E-mail Options
In the Blocked Senders tab, click Add
Enter the email address or internet domain you want to block
Click OK
Repeat to add additional email addresses or domains
You can block up to 1,024 addresses or domains in the blocked senders list
Use Outlook on the web?
Tap on your Outlook’s Settings (gear symbol)
Tap View all Outlook settings
From the Sidebar, select Mail and then Junk email
Under Blocked senders and domains, tap the Add button and enter the email address or domain
Tap Save to make these updates
We have a special needs daughter who calls us many times each day, and we can’t always take her calls. She fills our inbox on our iPhone, does not leave a message but she does not know enough to hang up prior to our answering message ending. Can we stop her from leaving messages but still allow her to call us?
Unfortunately, at this time Apple’s iOS 13 does not have a way to permit calls but not permit voicemails. Contact your cell phone provider (i.e. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, etc) and see if there is an option at the carrier level.
I have tried to unsubscribe from adds in mail an gmail an still thy keep sending, an I just don’t know how to do Changes on my iPhone X can someone help me manualey
Sometimes those unsubscribe emails take a few weeks to kick in. So they may stop in time.
Another option is to move those emails as junk–when you receive one of these advertisement emails, swipe on it and choose the More button. In the menu that appears, select Move to Junk.
Once you send a message to junk, your Mail app should automatically move any additional email from that same sender to your junk folder.
Just remember to periodically empty your Junk Mail folders.
*** Filter unknown senders & sort to a separate list hasn’t worked since I bought my iPad iOS
two years ago … … up to date 13.3.3 … still an empty list … … why is that ?
*** I’ve blocked sixty different numbers from the same person/place , replied STOP as they directed &
managed to email one of the many URL’s indicating that their unsolicited messages are
not welcome .
*** I’m not creating sixty contact cards for the purpose of blocking them , especially for an individual
who is harassing me … it’s been about a year now … troubleshooting when I get time … I wonder
if the FCC’s cyber team has better help screens than Apple … I’ve insisted on using a Mac my
entire adult life … used to be overwhelming fabulous ! … don’t know what’s happening ?
The new update has really messed up what was an easy process. I now can not delete junck mail. It goes to trash and I now have delete one at as time. I hate this new system.
This new update SUCKS!!! Why do I now get junk emails in my inbox when before, only the contact emails were allowed through. This new update allows so many junk emails through, it is absolute trash. Shame on you for allowing this. STOP JUNK EMAILS FROM HITTING MY INBOX.
Spammers have become more sophisticated and change their names on a daily basis.
This iOS doesn’t learn very well how to identify spam as a result. Instead of only offering the ability to block the sender, which requires one to add the sender to contacts list, then block them.
I need a rule that allows me to block mail from senders whose name includes “bucket”, “easy” “trade”, etc.
It would also be helpful to be able to block spam by subject header such as mail containing “erectile”, or “prostate”, “hookup”, “trick” etc.
That’s supposed to be easy? How about swipe left on the email and have an option to block that sender? Cmon Apple, this is trash. What are we on an Apple Windows phone? Lol.
It would be nice if Apple would configure their mail so we could: 1.) block spam. 2.) bounce the spam right back to the sender without confirming our email address to them. 3.) delete the spam automatically so, I do not have to spend time manually moving, deleting or doing anything at all with it. Although Apple mail has an option to delete the mail after the rules are used to categorize it, the delete NEVER happens and I have to delete them myself….
I have an iOS device and an aol email. I accidentally sent an email to junk that I shouldn’t have sent. I keep trying to get it to stop sending new emails from this sender to junk but it still continues to do so. I’ve opened the emails and checked the Mark as Not Junk which sends them back to my New Mail box. Then everything works fine for a couple emails before resorting back to sending the new ones to junk again. Does anyone know how to get this to stop sending a previously blocked email to junk? iOS and AOL
No, blocks work one way only. So if you send a blocked contact an email, they should receive the email (unless they blocked you!) However, if that blocked contact replies to your email, you will not know as they are on your blocked list.
Sorry you’re having trouble blocking some email addresses in your Hotmail Account. The best way to block any sender in Hotmail is by going to your Hotmail Settings in a browser (rather than via the iPad Settings options.)
Log in to your Hotmail account using web browser, not app or iPad Settings Menu
Click on the gear symbol in the upper right of your screen
Select Options
Choose More Options
Click “Safe and Blocked Senders” in the Prevent Junk E-mail section
Click Blocked Senders to start blocking a sender
Choose Black Sender and type in the email address you wish to block
Click “Add to List” to block. From now on, Yiu shouldn’t receive any emails from that contact until you remove that email from the list of your blocked senders
I’m from New Zealand and also having an issue with email that I’m trying to block, I as well am using an iPad and can’t find any blocking instructions for email on my iPad.
I’m using explorer and also Google.
Does that make sense?
I’m also using Hotmail and I’m ok with that but the above email address [email protected] causes annoyance.
I have checked with the nowmail provider in New Zealand and they are unable to help and told me to use Gmail or Outlook.
However, to use them I would have to change all my contact people and I don’t want to do that.
At this time, Apple does not provide a way to block email directly using their Mail App. They instead rely on the email providers to block email via their servers and services.
Since your email provider does not offer this service, you can instead mark those email address as junk/spam and leverage the Mail App to place those email addresses into a spam/junk folder instead of your Inbox.
1) Open the Mail App
2) Open your Inbox
3) Tap Edit in the right-corner
4) Tap on each email from addresses that you want to block
5) A checkmark appears next to each email
6) Once you select all those addresses, tap Mark from the bottom-left
7) Choose Move to Junk
What we hope to do is train the Mail App to recognize these addresses and the email from them as spam or junk–and isolate them in those junk/spam folders instead of your Inbox.
Periodically, you will need to delete all that junk email but it won’t clutter your inbox.
Given that your email provider does not offer the blocking options of Gmail or Outlook, setting up these addresses as junk is your best option–for now.
Its insanely stupid for us iPad and iPhone users, who use the Apple email we were given when we bought the device, are unable to block or auto-purge senders without a lot of rigamarole & wasted time, plus wasting device space.. I cant “go into my provider settings”—-Apple is the provider! I have to waste space building a contact just to block them in Messages? (Apparently that is how one blocks unwanted senders in Apply Mail on a non-MAC, just from our iPhone or iPad). I guess I got to stop buying Apple….
Maybe I am not understanding this correctly but since the Equifax breach and thank God they only have my AOL address I believe I am getting 15-20 or more emails a day from totally spam Senders And it is taking up far too much space in my emails and of my time I cannot block each one individually because I don’t know where they’re coming from and that would also be very time-consuming since they’re coming from everywhere is there not another solution?
J, SpamSieve or Mailwasher could be of some assistance if you have exhausted all the various manual options. Check these apps and see if it fits your criteria. Thanks for stopping by at AppleToolBox! Here is the aol guide that provides additional tips related to AOL mail spam blocking. https://help.aol.com/articles/aol-mail-spam-and-privacy
Unfortunately, Apple and iOS does not currently allow us to directly block email addresses on our iDevices. You can try blocking a contact–some folks report this works while others report it does not. But let’s give it a try!
1. Open an email from the person or company you want to block
2. Tap the name next to From at the top of the email
3. Select Create New Contact and Select Done to save that information
4. Open Settings > Messages (or FaceTime)
5. Scroll down and tap on Blocked
6. Tap Add New
7. In your contacts, locate the person or company you just created a new contact card for
8. Tap their name to add to your blocked list
See if this does the trick for you. Let us know either way
I text my friend who I have been for several years he just got a new phone all of a sudden when I text him it comes back spam detected how do we fix this issue
We’re not sure why this is going on but the best way to avoid this situation is to save your friend and all his information (phone number, email, and so forth) into the Contacts App. That way it’s a recognized contact.
If you get an iMessage from a phone that is not on your contact list, your iPhone may offer the option on the message to report the number as spam. It’s possible that message was hit at some point.
But adding this person into your Contacts should solve any problems moving forward. Keep us posted
I have tried a multitude of procedures to try to get a block on those unsolicited annoying disgusting emails that end up in my email without success. I was able to block with android but not I phone and that makes me second guess my choice to change to I phone products. I just want to selectively block emails.
Well that did not help me realy as I am doing the move to delete but I have a continuios stream every day from scammers,and have o empty my junk to trash and then delete surely Apple can come up with a better idea,I have tried on 1 of these actually opened and tried to unsubscribe but did not work either ,maybe they are all just getting savvy
2. Go to AOL Keyword: Mail Controls. For versions 10.1 and higher, click on the “Mail” icon followed by “Settings” and then “Spam Controls.” Click “Edit Spam Controls” to launch AOL Desktop 10.1’s mail controls.
2. In Sender Filter, click the Block mail from addresses I specify option.
3. In the text box, type the email address that you want to block. Add multiple email addresses by separating each email address with a comma.
Is there any easier way to block unwanted (programmed) e-mails sent to my inbox on my I-Pad, some are filtered on
my I-Mac and do not get through. It’s driving me crazy, I have tried all ways that have been published has anyone got the answer.!!!!!!
I own an iPhone 6s. I need to prevent a certain person from being able to email me in any form. These mails cannot go into my junk folder or any other folder. All I need to do is simply be able to block the sender from sending the mail in the first place. I’m finding out that Apple products are a waste of money and basically junk.
Hi Greg,
Unfortunately, there is no way to block someone from sending you an email but you can block the email from arriving. For Gmail, first, open a message from the unwanted sender. Then, select “Block [Sender’s Name]” from the message dropdown menu. Confirm your choice. For Outlook, right-click a message from the sender you want to block, and then click Junk > Block Sender.
And most other email providers offer this block function as well.
It is easier in Apple Mail to set up a Block Rule. Mail Preferences > Rules. If ANY> FROM > Contains >
Offending email address (or, Content or Subject contains xxxx )
Jon Miller says
What I cannot believe after all of this time that spam mail has been around the best Apple can offer is to “add the contact and block” do they even have any idea how many spam emails a person receive per day and how much time that would take? Talk about taking away from productivity time spam mail is issue.
Why has Apple not addressed this problem?
All the users are asking for is a simple way to block unwanted emails that comes in daily.
I’ve used the rules to only find out that it does not work on incoming mail only after it’s in the income and you have to run the rules manually.
I’m currently looking into what’s out there that can stop spam mail when it hits your mailbox.
Susan Moen says
The above does not work. It’s just a waste of time. In fact it bacame worse
Ross Clark says
What has been said is a whole lot of crap. I have done what is said and it just DOESNT WORK and there must be millions out there with the same issue. Apple needs to FIX IT
Ellen Starkey says
I am daily receiving a group message with 20 people. I have done everything that is listed and I am still receiving them. It is not the same email that is sending the texts and it is not the same 20 people in the group text. How do I stop it? It is driving me nuts.
Peter says
How come all your suggestions do not appear on my iPad, is a uk version different
Brandy Harris says
Limiting “spam” filters to email addresses is a waste of time. The bad guys use software that generates new fake addresses for every message, and they point to locations all over the world. Totally useless.
What we NEED is a configurable filter that allows the ability to look for words in the BODY of the message. Do you know how many messages would disappear if I could find & delete every message with the word “viagra” in it?
PLEASE! After releasing the Version 14 iteration of IOS you would think that someone would have asked for this feature in the last 10+ years!!
Ben Bailey says
Thanks for posting this. After the new 14.0 update I had to delete and reinstall my email account on the iPhone. Of course it defaulted to IMAP which messed me up bad. Delete on iPhone was deleting on server before my other computer could pick up the emails. Also, I don’t archive on my phone, but do in my many Outlook folders on my desktop.
When iPhone was deleting from the server it messed things up.
Did what you suggested, deleted the account from the phone and reinstalled as POP. All OK.now. But I still had Apple’s habit of breaking things and changing things that have been working forever. Wasted many hours over several days trying to restore my phone and email to previously working condition.
Bjean says
I researched this for a few days, my iPhone messages filter unknown sender does not work for spam emails sent as text.
I found free Smart Filter app which does work, fantastic!
Dawn Warren says
What is the name of the smart filter app that works for you? I have the same problem.
Elizabeth Brandon says
You show us AND tell us how to block emails, but I need help with Texts.
I did not find a “ Details” on my upper right hand corner and cant find it anywhere.
G. Johnson says
I am receiving one text message containing 20 telephone numbers. How do I block the main text message and the multiple messages it contains all at one time?
Thank you.
michelle says
Before spectrum took over from bright house as my internet and email provider when i open their email on safari there was an option to report spam to apple. When i reported the spam email to apple, the junk mail would stop. With spectrum web mail there is no such option. I have tried to block senders however i still get a dozen or more spam mail a day.
Help me stop these emails using ipad mail -please!
Katherine Lyons says
I have an iPhone 6S IOS 13.4.1. I’ve followed all the directions about Blocking Senders from my email. It seemed to work at first and they went directly into Trash but now they all appear in my inbox with the Blocked Sender icon beside them. Please help.
Thank you
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Katherine,
Yes, it seems a bit temperamental. We’ve had that same issue. What we suggest is either removing and adding back those contacts to your blocked list OR blocking them via your email services rather than via iOS/iPadOS’ Blocker Contacts list (or do both).
Blocking on the email service side is more consistent. But the direction on how to do so vary widely, so take a look at your email services support pages to locate exact steps.
Graham Lathbury says
I have read many forums and many are having the same issue which Apple is not addressing.
On my iPad with a sender checked as blocked and send email to “Bin” their emails continue to arrive in my inbox
Read Apple forums and provide an answer, please
kathryn says
There were no instructions on how to block outlook emails on my iPad air 3 tablet!
You had them for Gmail, yahoo mail, even AOL email but nothing for outlook email.
I get a ton of unwanted emails in my outlook and never ever open them.
I tap on the flag icon and tap on move to junk.
THAT DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to stop the same vendor email 4 times a day coming into my Inbox!
Every day I get the same emails that I’ve junked a dozen or more times so what is the point of MOVING when the result is the as of just DELETING them!
So far I am so sorry I purchased an iPad!
I liked my two older Androids much better and had more control over emails.
I will probably try to sell this iPad and just get a newer Android tablet. And the 2nd WORST thing about Apple iPads are THE HAVE NO USB PORT, how ridiculous is that!!!?
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Kathryn,
Sorry about that. We’ve updated the article with instructions for blocking in Outlook:
Add email addresses and domains to Outlook’s Block Senders list
In your Home tab, go to your Delete group and choose Junk
Choose Junk E-mail Options
In the Blocked Senders tab, click Add
Enter the email address or internet domain you want to block
Click OK
Repeat to add additional email addresses or domains
You can block up to 1,024 addresses or domains in the blocked senders list
Use Outlook on the web?
Tap on your Outlook’s Settings (gear symbol)
Tap View all Outlook settings
From the Sidebar, select Mail and then Junk email
Under Blocked senders and domains, tap the Add button and enter the email address or domain
Tap Save to make these updates
Ray says
We have a special needs daughter who calls us many times each day, and we can’t always take her calls. She fills our inbox on our iPhone, does not leave a message but she does not know enough to hang up prior to our answering message ending. Can we stop her from leaving messages but still allow her to call us?
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Ray,
Unfortunately, at this time Apple’s iOS 13 does not have a way to permit calls but not permit voicemails. Contact your cell phone provider (i.e. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, etc) and see if there is an option at the carrier level.
Good luck,
Liz
Nicholas Boyd says
I have tried to unsubscribe from adds in mail an gmail an still thy keep sending, an I just don’t know how to do Changes on my iPhone X can someone help me manualey
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Nicholas,
Sometimes those unsubscribe emails take a few weeks to kick in. So they may stop in time.
Another option is to move those emails as junk–when you receive one of these advertisement emails, swipe on it and choose the More button. In the menu that appears, select Move to Junk.
Once you send a message to junk, your Mail app should automatically move any additional email from that same sender to your junk folder.
Just remember to periodically empty your Junk Mail folders.
Christine Churak says
*** Filter unknown senders & sort to a separate list hasn’t worked since I bought my iPad iOS
two years ago … … up to date 13.3.3 … still an empty list … … why is that ?
*** I’ve blocked sixty different numbers from the same person/place , replied STOP as they directed &
managed to email one of the many URL’s indicating that their unsolicited messages are
not welcome .
*** I’m not creating sixty contact cards for the purpose of blocking them , especially for an individual
who is harassing me … it’s been about a year now … troubleshooting when I get time … I wonder
if the FCC’s cyber team has better help screens than Apple … I’ve insisted on using a Mac my
entire adult life … used to be overwhelming fabulous ! … don’t know what’s happening ?
Nancy says
I too am not happy I have blocked senders and still get their junk emails, is Apple even trying?
Donna says
The new update has really messed up what was an easy process. I now can not delete junck mail. It goes to trash and I now have delete one at as time. I hate this new system.
Mike Rogers says
This new update SUCKS!!! Why do I now get junk emails in my inbox when before, only the contact emails were allowed through. This new update allows so many junk emails through, it is absolute trash. Shame on you for allowing this. STOP JUNK EMAILS FROM HITTING MY INBOX.
Alicia says
Spammers have become more sophisticated and change their names on a daily basis.
This iOS doesn’t learn very well how to identify spam as a result. Instead of only offering the ability to block the sender, which requires one to add the sender to contacts list, then block them.
I need a rule that allows me to block mail from senders whose name includes “bucket”, “easy” “trade”, etc.
It would also be helpful to be able to block spam by subject header such as mail containing “erectile”, or “prostate”, “hookup”, “trick” etc.
Leanne says
Blocked emails still come to inbox even after following the steps above (iOS 13)
Very annoying
Diane Dobbins says
I continue getting spam messages from different numbers always addressed to Gino.
It comes through on my contacts & SMS rather than going to unknown and junk filter.
Even tho I’ve selected that. I notify AT&T each time and have Robocall to also notify.
My chief complaint is that selecting sending messages to unknown sender doesn’t work here. Any suggestions??
LW says
That’s supposed to be easy? How about swipe left on the email and have an option to block that sender? Cmon Apple, this is trash. What are we on an Apple Windows phone? Lol.
john jay says
It would be nice if Apple would configure their mail so we could: 1.) block spam. 2.) bounce the spam right back to the sender without confirming our email address to them. 3.) delete the spam automatically so, I do not have to spend time manually moving, deleting or doing anything at all with it. Although Apple mail has an option to delete the mail after the rules are used to categorize it, the delete NEVER happens and I have to delete them myself….
Kathy says
I have an iOS device and an aol email. I accidentally sent an email to junk that I shouldn’t have sent. I keep trying to get it to stop sending new emails from this sender to junk but it still continues to do so. I’ve opened the emails and checked the Mark as Not Junk which sends them back to my New Mail box. Then everything works fine for a couple emails before resorting back to sending the new ones to junk again. Does anyone know how to get this to stop sending a previously blocked email to junk? iOS and AOL
Donna Ford says
If I blocked someone on my yahoo email but I sent him one is it blocked too
SK says
Hi Donna,
No, blocks work one way only. So if you send a blocked contact an email, they should receive the email (unless they blocked you!) However, if that blocked contact replies to your email, you will not know as they are on your blocked list.
SK
Tom Reaser says
I have an iPad with Hotmail. Having trouble blocking some incoming. Have read up on it to no avail. HELP?
Elizabeth says
Hi Tom,
Sorry you’re having trouble blocking some email addresses in your Hotmail Account. The best way to block any sender in Hotmail is by going to your Hotmail Settings in a browser (rather than via the iPad Settings options.)
Log in to your Hotmail account using web browser, not app or iPad Settings Menu
Click on the gear symbol in the upper right of your screen
Select Options
Choose More Options
Click “Safe and Blocked Senders” in the Prevent Junk E-mail section
Click Blocked Senders to start blocking a sender
Choose Black Sender and type in the email address you wish to block
Click “Add to List” to block. From now on, Yiu shouldn’t receive any emails from that contact until you remove that email from the list of your blocked senders
Hope that helps!
Ray says
Hi Elizabeth
I’m from New Zealand and also having an issue with email that I’m trying to block, I as well am using an iPad and can’t find any blocking instructions for email on my iPad.
I’m using explorer and also Google.
Does that make sense?
I’m also using Hotmail and I’m ok with that but the above email address [email protected] causes annoyance.
I have checked with the nowmail provider in New Zealand and they are unable to help and told me to use Gmail or Outlook.
However, to use them I would have to change all my contact people and I don’t want to do that.
Can you help?
Regards
Ray Dalton from New Zealand
SK says
Hi Ray,
At this time, Apple does not provide a way to block email directly using their Mail App. They instead rely on the email providers to block email via their servers and services.
Since your email provider does not offer this service, you can instead mark those email address as junk/spam and leverage the Mail App to place those email addresses into a spam/junk folder instead of your Inbox.
1) Open the Mail App
2) Open your Inbox
3) Tap Edit in the right-corner
4) Tap on each email from addresses that you want to block
5) A checkmark appears next to each email
6) Once you select all those addresses, tap Mark from the bottom-left
7) Choose Move to Junk
What we hope to do is train the Mail App to recognize these addresses and the email from them as spam or junk–and isolate them in those junk/spam folders instead of your Inbox.
Periodically, you will need to delete all that junk email but it won’t clutter your inbox.
Given that your email provider does not offer the blocking options of Gmail or Outlook, setting up these addresses as junk is your best option–for now.
Liz
Sofia Deo says
Its insanely stupid for us iPad and iPhone users, who use the Apple email we were given when we bought the device, are unable to block or auto-purge senders without a lot of rigamarole & wasted time, plus wasting device space.. I cant “go into my provider settings”—-Apple is the provider! I have to waste space building a contact just to block them in Messages? (Apparently that is how one blocks unwanted senders in Apply Mail on a non-MAC, just from our iPhone or iPad). I guess I got to stop buying Apple….
Doreen says
This person’s contact information has already been blocked and yeah I’m still receiving mail on my iPhone 6 what can I do
J says
Maybe I am not understanding this correctly but since the Equifax breach and thank God they only have my AOL address I believe I am getting 15-20 or more emails a day from totally spam Senders And it is taking up far too much space in my emails and of my time I cannot block each one individually because I don’t know where they’re coming from and that would also be very time-consuming since they’re coming from everywhere is there not another solution?
SK says
J, SpamSieve or Mailwasher could be of some assistance if you have exhausted all the various manual options. Check these apps and see if it fits your criteria. Thanks for stopping by at AppleToolBox! Here is the aol guide that provides additional tips related to AOL mail spam blocking. https://help.aol.com/articles/aol-mail-spam-and-privacy
Soosie says
Shirley there is no block sender from drop list on iPad or iPhone.
Soosie says
I don’t have a computer just iPad and iPhone. I want to block someone in gmail so how do I do this?
SK says
Hi Soosie,
Unfortunately, Apple and iOS does not currently allow us to directly block email addresses on our iDevices. You can try blocking a contact–some folks report this works while others report it does not. But let’s give it a try!
1. Open an email from the person or company you want to block
2. Tap the name next to From at the top of the email
3. Select Create New Contact and Select Done to save that information
4. Open Settings > Messages (or FaceTime)
5. Scroll down and tap on Blocked
6. Tap Add New
7. In your contacts, locate the person or company you just created a new contact card for
8. Tap their name to add to your blocked list
See if this does the trick for you. Let us know either way
SK
Ann says
I text my friend who I have been for several years he just got a new phone all of a sudden when I text him it comes back spam detected how do we fix this issue
SK says
Hi Ann,
We’re not sure why this is going on but the best way to avoid this situation is to save your friend and all his information (phone number, email, and so forth) into the Contacts App. That way it’s a recognized contact.
If you get an iMessage from a phone that is not on your contact list, your iPhone may offer the option on the message to report the number as spam. It’s possible that message was hit at some point.
But adding this person into your Contacts should solve any problems moving forward. Keep us posted
SK
Fran Russ says
That rule for your Mac does not work, I do that and they keep coming.
Sue says
I have tried a multitude of procedures to try to get a block on those unsolicited annoying disgusting emails that end up in my email without success. I was able to block with android but not I phone and that makes me second guess my choice to change to I phone products. I just want to selectively block emails.
Annette says
Well that did not help me realy as I am doing the move to delete but I have a continuios stream every day from scammers,and have o empty my junk to trash and then delete surely Apple can come up with a better idea,I have tried on 1 of these actually opened and tried to unsubscribe but did not work either ,maybe they are all just getting savvy
Vee says
How to block unwanted emails on aol
SK says
Hi Vee!
1. Log in to your AOL account
2. Go to AOL Keyword: Mail Controls. For versions 10.1 and higher, click on the “Mail” icon followed by “Settings” and then “Spam Controls.” Click “Edit Spam Controls” to launch AOL Desktop 10.1’s mail controls.
2. In Sender Filter, click the Block mail from addresses I specify option.
3. In the text box, type the email address that you want to block. Add multiple email addresses by separating each email address with a comma.
4. Click Save.
Done.
Good luck,
SK
Micky D says
Is there any easier way to block unwanted (programmed) e-mails sent to my inbox on my I-Pad, some are filtered on
my I-Mac and do not get through. It’s driving me crazy, I have tried all ways that have been published has anyone got the answer.!!!!!!
Jen VR says
I agree with Liz above…Outlook is awesome…however, I cannot block in my Apple iPhone 6.
I have added spam email contacts to my address book and selected block this caller, but I think this only blocks texts and calls, not emails.
When you refer to a dropdown when you open a message, where is that? I only have a flag, trash, archive, send, options.
Like Greg Jones, I am sick of having to take the time to empty my junk every day.
Thanks, Jen
Greg Jones says
I own an iPhone 6s. I need to prevent a certain person from being able to email me in any form. These mails cannot go into my junk folder or any other folder. All I need to do is simply be able to block the sender from sending the mail in the first place. I’m finding out that Apple products are a waste of money and basically junk.
SK says
Hi Greg,
Unfortunately, there is no way to block someone from sending you an email but you can block the email from arriving. For Gmail, first, open a message from the unwanted sender. Then, select “Block [Sender’s Name]” from the message dropdown menu. Confirm your choice. For Outlook, right-click a message from the sender you want to block, and then click Junk > Block Sender.
And most other email providers offer this block function as well.
Be Well,
Liz
Shirley says
It is easier in Apple Mail to set up a Block Rule. Mail Preferences > Rules. If ANY> FROM > Contains >
Offending email address (or, Content or Subject contains xxxx )
Performs the following actions > Delete message