Where to block people on your Mac

Blocking on a Mac depends on which app you're using. The most common places to block someone are Messages, FaceTime, Mail, and your web browser. Each app has its own blocking feature, and blocking in one app doesn't block them in another — you'll need to block separately in each place where you want to stop contact.

The steps differ slightly between apps, but the general idea is the same: find the person's name or number, open a menu, and select a block option. Once blocked, that person can't reach you through that specific app, though they may still be able to contact you through other services.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking someone in Messages prevents them from sending you texts, but you'll still see their old messages unless you delete the conversation.
  • FaceTime blocking stops incoming calls and video calls from that person, and they won't know they're blocked.
  • Mail blocking filters messages from that sender into a separate folder, but doesn't prevent them from sending.
  • Blocking in Safari or Chrome only works within that browser and doesn't affect other apps on your Mac.
  • You can unblock someone at any time by reversing the same steps you used to block them.

Blocking someone in Messages

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Right-click on their name or the conversation thread, and a menu will appear. Select "Block This Caller" or "Block Contact" — the exact wording depends on your macOS version.

After you block someone in Messages, they can still send you texts, but you won't receive notifications and their messages won't appear in your inbox. Their old messages stay in the conversation thread unless you delete them manually. If you want to remove the entire conversation, right-click it and choose "Delete."

To unblock someone in Messages, open the conversation again, right-click their name, and select "Unblock This Caller."

Blocking someone in FaceTime

Open FaceTime and find the person's name in your recent calls or contacts list. Right-click their name and select "Block This Caller" from the menu that appears. Once blocked, they won't be able to call or video chat with you, and they won't receive a notification that they're blocked — the call will simply fail on their end.

Your previous FaceTime history with that person remains visible in the app. If you want to remove it, right-click the entry and choose "Remove from Recents." To unblock them later, right-click their name again and select "Unblock This Caller."

Blocking someone in Mail

Open Mail and find an email from the person you want to block. Click on their email address or name, and a small menu will pop up. Select "Block Contact" or look for an option that says "Add to VIP" or "Mute" — blocking options in Mail vary by macOS version.

When you block someone in Mail, their future emails go into a separate folder and you won't get notifications for them. However, they can still send you messages — blocking just filters them out of your main inbox. To unblock, go to Mail's settings, find the blocked senders list, and remove their address.

Blocking in Safari and Chrome

Safari and Chrome don't have built-in contact blocking like Messages or FaceTime. Instead, you can block websites or notifications from specific sites. In Safari, go to Preferences, click Websites, select Notifications, and find the site you want to block. Click the dropdown next to it and choose "Deny."

In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and select Site Settings. Choose Notifications and add the website you want to block. These steps prevent pop-up notifications and alerts from those sites, but don't block the sites themselves from loading.

If you want to block a person who's contacting you through a website or app, the best approach is to use that app's own blocking feature rather than trying to block through your browser.

What happens when you block someone

When you block someone, the behavior depends on the app. In Messages and FaceTime, they can still try to contact you, but you won't see their attempts. In Mail, their messages arrive but go to a filtered folder. In all cases, the person being blocked typically doesn't receive a notification that they've been blocked — they'll just notice their messages aren't getting through.

Blocking is not the same as deleting. The conversation history remains on your Mac unless you manually remove it. If you change your mind, you can unblock the person and resume contact. Blocking also doesn't prevent someone from creating a new account or using a different phone number to reach you.

Unblocking someone on your Mac

To unblock someone, open the app where you blocked them and find their name or a recent interaction. Right-click and look for an "Unblock" option. In Messages and FaceTime, this is straightforward — right-click the contact and select "Unblock This Caller."

In Mail, go to the app's settings or preferences, find the blocked senders or junk mail section, locate the person's email address, and remove it from the list. Once unblocked, you'll receive their messages normally again, though old filtered messages may still be in a separate folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I've blocked them on Mac?

Not directly. In Messages and FaceTime, they'll notice their calls or texts aren't going through, but they won't see a message saying they're blocked. They might suspect it, but the app doesn't notify them. In Mail, they have no way to know their messages are being filtered.

If I block someone in Messages, will they see my old messages?

Yes. Blocking only stops future messages from reaching you — it doesn't delete or hide your conversation history. If you want them to not see old messages, you'll need to delete the conversation manually by right-clicking it and selecting "Delete."

Does blocking someone on Mac block them on my iPhone too?

No. Blocking is separate on each device. If you block someone in Messages on your Mac, you'll need to block them separately on your iPhone, iPad, or any other device. Your blocked list doesn't sync across devices automatically.

Can I block someone without them knowing?

Yes. Blocking in Messages, FaceTime, and Mail doesn't send a notification to the person being blocked. They'll only realize it if they try to contact you and notice their messages aren't going through or getting responses.

What if someone keeps contacting me from different numbers or accounts?

You'll need to block each number or account separately as they appear. Blocking one phone number doesn't block other numbers the same person might use. If harassment continues, consider reporting it to the app or your service provider rather than just blocking individual contacts.