Blocking someone on Mac can be a useful way to maintain your privacy and avoid unwanted interactions. Whether it’s a spammy email sender, an annoying telemarketer, or even someone you simply don’t want to communicate with, blocking them on your Mac is a straightforward process. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps of blocking someone on Mac using the built-in features.
Step 1: Open Contacts
If the person you want to block is already saved in your Contacts, open the Contacts app by clicking on the Launchpad icon in your Dock, then searching for and clicking on the Contacts app.
Step 2: Find the Contact
In the Contacts app, find and select the contact you want to block from your list. You can use the search bar at the top right corner of the app to quickly locate them.
Step 3: Edit Contact
Select Edit from the menu bar at the top of your screen, then click Edit Card. Alternatively, you can press Command + Shift + E as a shortcut to edit the contact card.
Step 4: Block Contact
In the contact editing window, scroll down until you find an option called Add Field. Click on it and select Add Instant Message. From there, choose a messaging service associated with that contact (e.g., iMessage or FaceTime).
If you don’t see any messaging services listed for that contact, it means they are not associated with any service you have set up on your Mac.
Note:
- If you want to block the contact on iMessage, select the iMessage option.
- If you want to block the contact on FaceTime, select the FaceTime option.
After selecting the appropriate messaging service, you will notice a new field appears below it. In that field, type any text (e., “Blocked”) or leave it blank – it doesn’t matter what you enter. The important part is that you have created an instant message for that contact.
Step 5: Save Changes
Click on the Done button to save your changes and close the editing window. Congratulations, you have successfully blocked someone on your Mac!
To verify that the blocking process worked, open your Messaging or FaceTime app and try sending a message or initiating a call with the blocked contact. You should notice that your messages are not delivered, and calls are not connected.
Note:
This method only blocks a specific contact from reaching you through iMessage or FaceTime. It does not block their emails or phone calls from reaching your Mac via other means.
If you want to block emails from a specific sender in the Mail app, follow these additional steps:
Bonus Tip: Blocking Email Senders in Mail App
To block emails from a specific sender in the Mail app:
- Select an email from the sender you want to block.
- Click on the Mail menu in the top menu bar.
- Navigate to Preferences > Rules.
- In the Rules window, click on Add Rule.
- Set the rule conditions to match the sender’s email address.
- In the actions section, select Delete Message or Move Message to Junk (depending on your preference).
- Click OK to save the rule.
From now on, any email from that sender will be automatically deleted or moved to your junk folder, effectively blocking their emails from reaching your inbox.
Blocking someone on Mac can help you maintain a peaceful and hassle-free digital experience. Whether it’s preventing unwanted messages or filtering out annoying emails, these simple steps empower you to take control of your interactions. Remember, it’s your Mac, and you have the power to decide who can reach you!