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Block Unwanted Messages and Emails; How-To

How to block unwanted emails and messages on your iPhone or iPad

By 39 comments Last updated September 4, 2019

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.

Related Articles

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!

  1. Verify that the email address you want to block is in your Contacts app
  2. If the address isn’t in your Contacts app, add it either to an existing contact or create a new contact card
  3. Once the email address is in Contacts, open your Settings app
  4. Tap Mail
  5. Under the Threading options, tap Blocked Sender Options blocked sender options in Mail app iOS 13 and iPadOS
  6. 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 move blocked sender email into trash iOS 13 and iPadOS
  7. After you toggle that setting on, tap Blocked and choose Add New iOs 13 and iPadOS add new contact to blocked list
  8. Tap on the contact you want to block
  9. 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  block this contact option in Mail app
  • Confirm you want to block the contact confirm you want to block a contact in the mail app
  • 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. iOS 13 turn on silence unknown callers

For more about blocking callers and folks that message or FaceTime, see this post How to block unknown numbers and robocalls on your iPhone.

Blocking email addresses for iOS12 and below

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 their 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.”Block Emails

 

 

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.Block Emails

 

Moving the message to Junk Folder.Junk Emails

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.Moving Junk Emails

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 setup 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

  1. Open your Mail App
  2. In the Top Menu choose Mail > Preferences
  3. Select the Rules Tab
  4. Choose Add Rule
  5. Name Your Rule
    1. If blocking a particular email address, use this as the rule name
  6. Select your parameters
  7. Choose Delete Message from Perform the following actions:

Block Unwanted Messages and Emails; How-To

 

Block email at the root level with filters

Google Gmail  Block Unwanted Messages and Emails; How-To

Since Gmail is one of the most popular email applications that is used by our users, let’s explore the “Block” feature from Google.

“Blocking” sends an email from a particular email address to the spam folder. The email continues to live on in the spam folder.

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.”Filter Emails

 

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.Delete Spam

 

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.Blocking emails

 

 

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.Review Blocked Senders

 

Yahoo Mail  

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.

AOL Mail  Block Unwanted Messages and Emails; How-To

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

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 confirm you want to unsubscribe from email mailing list
  • 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.Filter 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.

Related Posts:

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Show 39 Comments

  1. 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?

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  3. 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 ?

    Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

  6. 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.

    Reply

  7. 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.

    Reply

  9. 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??

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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….

    Reply

  12. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  14. Tom Reaser says

    I have an iPad with Hotmail. Having trouble blocking some incoming. Have read up on it to no avail. HELP?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

    • 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

      Reply

      • 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

        Reply

  15. 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….

    Reply

  16. 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

    Reply

  17. 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?

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  20. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  23. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  25. 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.!!!!!!

    Reply

  26. 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

    Reply

  27. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  28. 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

    Reply