• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPad / How to block unwanted emails and messages on your iPhone or iPad

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

By SK 56 comments Last updated May 5, 2020

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

  • How to stop receiving notifications from group email threads on iPhone or iPad
  • iOS 13 could help you curb spam and robocalls automatically
  • Unblock A Number On iPhone, iPad, or iPod
  • How to block unknown numbers and robocalls on your iPhone
  • Stop robocalls on your iPhone right now
  • Customize Your iPhone Mail Attachment Options
  • Using PDF and Notes in email
  • iOS Mail Tips for your iPhone & iPad
  • Best Third-Party Mail Apps for iPhones and iPads

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 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.”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 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

  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

Block Gmail

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.

  1. Open your Gmail account using an internet browser, not an app
  2. Go to your Inbox (or whatever folders you established)
  3. Open a message from a sender you wish to block
  4. Navigate to the top right-hand corner of a message,
  5. Tap on the More button (usually three verticle dots or a triangle) Gmail's vertical More Button three-dots
  6. Choose Block “Sender” (sender is the name/email address you wish to block) Block sender option using Gmail's website
  7. Press Block to confirm you want to block that sender Gmail confirmation prompt to block a sender
  8. Future emails from those blocked addresses go directly into your spam folder
  9. 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.”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

Block Outlook Mailoutlook microsoft logo

Instructions for Outlook for Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007

  1. Open your Outlook email
  2. Or use Outlook.com via an internet browser
  3. Right-click on a message from the sender you want to block or choose Message from Outlook’s menu bar
  4. Choose Junk > Block Sender, Junk Mail > Block Sender, or Block 
  5. 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

  1. In your Home tab, go to your Delete group and choose Junk
  2. Choose Junk E-mail Options
  3. In the Blocked Senders tab, click Add
  4. Enter the email address or internet domain you want to block
  5. Click OK
  6. Repeat to add additional email addresses or domains
    1. You can block up to 1,024 addresses or domains in the blocked senders list

Use Outlook on the web?

  1. Tap on your Outlook’s Settings (gear symbol)
  2. Tap  View all Outlook settings
  3. From the Sidebar, select Mail and then Junk email
  4. Under Blocked senders and domains, tap the Add button and enter the email address or domain
  5. Tap Save to make these updates

Learn more in this Microsoft Outlook support document

Block 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.

Block 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
  3. In Sender Filter, click the Block mail from addresses I specify option
  4. 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
  5. 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.

sudz - apple
SK

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.

Related Posts:

  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • How to stop receiving notifications from group email threads on iPhone or iPad
    How to stop receiving notifications from group email threads…
  • How to Block Spam Calls, Texts, and Emails on an iPhone
    How to Block Spam Calls, Texts, and Emails on an iPhone
  • How To Use Dual SIM and eSIM on iPhone 11, XR, SE, & XS
    How To Use Dual SIM and eSIM on iPhone 11, XR, SE, & XS
  • iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
    iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
  • How to stop robocalls on your iPhone right now
    How to stop robocalls on your iPhone right now
  • How to Block Unwanted Calls and Text Messages on iPhone
    How to Block Unwanted Calls and Text Messages on iPhone
  • Getting Started With iOS 15: Everything Good And Bad
    Getting Started With iOS 15: Everything Good And Bad
  • How to Use iMessage Group Chat on iPhone or iPad
    How to Use iMessage Group Chat on iPhone or iPad

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 56 Comments

  1. Jon Miller says

    May 27, 2022 at 5:47 PM

    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.

    Reply
  2. Susan Moen says

    April 24, 2022 at 12:58 PM

    The above does not work. It’s just a waste of time. In fact it bacame worse

    Reply
  3. Ross Clark says

    March 11, 2022 at 3:32 AM

    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

    Reply
  4. Ellen Starkey says

    November 15, 2020 at 5:34 PM

    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.

    Reply
  5. Peter says

    November 15, 2020 at 8:14 AM

    How come all your suggestions do not appear on my iPad, is a uk version different

    Reply
  6. Brandy Harris says

    November 10, 2020 at 1:39 PM

    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!!

    Reply
  7. Ben Bailey says

    October 16, 2020 at 1:41 PM

    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.

    Reply
  8. Bjean says

    September 14, 2020 at 1:07 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Dawn Warren says

      June 5, 2021 at 9:43 PM

      What is the name of the smart filter app that works for you? I have the same problem.

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth Brandon says

    August 6, 2020 at 9:35 AM

    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.

    Reply
  10. G. Johnson says

    July 31, 2020 at 1:15 PM

    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.

    Reply
  11. michelle says

    May 18, 2020 at 2:53 PM

    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!

    Reply
  12. Katherine Lyons says

    May 5, 2020 at 10:08 AM

    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

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      May 5, 2020 at 10:50 AM

      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.

      Reply
  13. Graham Lathbury says

    April 28, 2020 at 1:57 AM

    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

    Reply
  14. kathryn says

    April 25, 2020 at 1:26 PM

    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!!!?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      April 26, 2020 at 12:12 PM

      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
      Reply
  15. Ray says

    January 22, 2020 at 10:34 AM

    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

      January 22, 2020 at 12:02 PM

      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
  16. Nicholas Boyd says

    January 19, 2020 at 10:15 AM

    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

      January 20, 2020 at 10:15 AM

      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
  17. Christine Churak says

    January 9, 2020 at 2:12 PM

    *** 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
  18. Nancy says

    December 30, 2019 at 8:16 PM

    I too am not happy I have blocked senders and still get their junk emails, is Apple even trying?

    Reply
  19. Donna says

    November 15, 2019 at 4:52 PM

    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
  20. Mike Rogers says

    November 3, 2019 at 2:38 PM

    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
  21. Alicia says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:44 PM

    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
  22. Leanne says

    October 15, 2019 at 7:43 PM

    Blocked emails still come to inbox even after following the steps above (iOS 13)
    Very annoying

    Reply
  23. Diane Dobbins says

    September 21, 2019 at 3:44 PM

    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
  24. LW says

    August 18, 2019 at 11:39 AM

    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
  25. john jay says

    April 6, 2019 at 12:24 PM

    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
  26. Kathy says

    February 23, 2019 at 5:13 PM

    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
  27. Donna Ford says

    April 25, 2018 at 5:55 AM

    If I blocked someone on my yahoo email but I sent him one is it blocked too

    Reply
    • SK says

      April 25, 2018 at 8:21 AM

      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
  28. Tom Reaser says

    April 1, 2018 at 12:46 PM

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

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      April 2, 2018 at 9:02 AM

      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

      February 13, 2019 at 6:59 PM

      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

        February 14, 2019 at 9:50 AM

        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
  29. Sofia Deo says

    March 22, 2018 at 8:37 PM

    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
  30. Doreen says

    February 25, 2018 at 9:25 AM

    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
  31. J says

    February 24, 2018 at 9:21 AM

    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

      February 24, 2018 at 9:48 AM

      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

      Reply
  32. Soosie says

    February 13, 2018 at 3:57 AM

    Shirley there is no block sender from drop list on iPad or iPhone.

    Reply
  33. Soosie says

    February 13, 2018 at 3:55 AM

    I don’t have a computer just iPad and iPhone. I want to block someone in gmail so how do I do this?

    Reply
    • SK says

      February 13, 2018 at 1:41 PM

      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
  34. Ann says

    November 27, 2017 at 7:25 PM

    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

      November 28, 2017 at 7:12 AM

      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
  35. Fran Russ says

    August 28, 2017 at 4:09 PM

    That rule for your Mac does not work, I do that and they keep coming.

    Reply
  36. Sue says

    August 7, 2017 at 9:30 AM

    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
  37. Annette says

    June 20, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    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
  38. Vee says

    June 10, 2017 at 8:46 AM

    How to block unwanted emails on aol

    Reply
    • SK says

      June 10, 2017 at 10:13 AM

      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
  39. Micky D says

    March 6, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    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
  40. Jen VR says

    March 2, 2017 at 11:53 AM

    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
  41. Greg Jones says

    February 24, 2017 at 12:24 PM

    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

      February 26, 2017 at 4:53 PM

      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
  42. Shirley says

    February 4, 2016 at 9:10 AM

    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

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Fix: System Has Run Out of Application Memory on Mac
  • iOS 16 Troubleshooting Guide: Common Problems And How To Fix Them
  • How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Do Not Disturb: 8 Best Fixes
  • Rapid Security Response: What It Is and How to Download It
  • What Happened to the Facebook Messenger App on Apple Watch?
  • How to Use an Android Phone or Tablet as a Second Screen for Mac

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited