We’ve all been there. Added someone to our blocked list (or spam folder). Then afterwards realised that it was the wrong person/address. So how do you remove someone from blocked list?
As with everything, once you know how, it’s a pretty simple thing to do.
This post covers the three popular options of Google Mail/Gmail, Outlook Desktop and Outlook on the Web.
Gmail
Watch the video on my YouTube Channel – Accidentally Marked Something As Spam in Gmail? Here’s How To Fix It
As you mark emails as spam, Gmail moves them into the Spam Folder.
If you’ve missed clicking on the Undo option, then you can still change your mind.
Sign into your Gmail account, through your favourite web-browser.
On the folder list (on the left) – click More (underneath Drafts).
In the expanded menu you’ll see Spam.
Select the folder to open it.
Find and select the email(s) that were mistakenly selected.
Note: You don’t need to open the message.
On the toolbar at the top, click Not spam.
The email(s) will be removed from the spam list. The message will be removed from the spam folder and moved to the Inbox.
If you’ve blocked an email address, you can find it in Settings > All Settings > Filter and Blocked Addresses.
Remove from blocked list in Outlook (Desktop Program)
Watch the how-to video on my YouTube Channel – How to Remove Emails from Outlook’s Blocked Addresses List
Microsoft Outlook’s blocked list is ‘hidden’ in the options, but I’ve got an easy way to get there.
It’s all in the right-click.
Yep – right-click on any email.
At the bottom is the option for Junk.
From the sub-menu, click on the last option Junk E-mail Options to open the dialog box.
The dialog box is split into five tabs for different options.
Click on the fourth tab for Blocked Senders.
As with most of these lists, all of the addresses are listed alphabetically.
It might not be be in the exact place that you expect it, as the displayed name doesn’t have to match the real email address.
While there isn’t a built-in search option, a useful tip is:
Click on the first email, then type in the first letter or character of the address you’re looking for.
Outlook will jump you down to the first address starting with the typed character. A little bit easier (and faster) than scrolling.
Once you’ve found the address you accidentally blocked.
Click to select it.
Then click on the Remove button to delete it from the list.
When you’ve finished, click OK to save and close the dialog box.
When new messages arrive, they will stay in your Inbox from that sender.
How to Remove from Block List in Outlook Online
Outlook Online or Outlook on the Web (a.k.a. Outlook.com) is a little bit different from the desktop application.
Click on the Settings (cog) in the top-right-hand corner of the web page.
Now click View All Outlook Settings to open the dialog box.
From the list of the left, select Email.
In the sub-menu (middle left), click on Junk email.
All of the email addresses that you’ve added are listed in alphabetical order.
Scroll down or search for the address that you’re looking for.
Click on the bin icon at the end of the row to delete it from the list.
You can now close the dialog box, and the next time that you receive a message from that email, it will stay in your Inbox.
Next Steps
Removing someone from your blocked list won’t cause problems, but ideally should only be done for emails that you set by accident. I.e., email addresses that you already know.
If removing them was the mistake, you can always add them back in.
Remember that it’s clicking on links or attachments that can be a security risk.
If you’re not sure, delete the email. That won’t cause you or the sender any problems.
Unsubscribing will help reduce the number of emails that you receive – it might not be immediate.
If you’re in need of rescuing from too many emails – take a look at my course Email Overwhelm Rescue.
More post on Unsubscribing
When you shouldn’t use the unsubscribe option
The best way to safely unsubscribe from email lists
Unsubscribe from Emails For Free
Should you spend money to unsubscribe?
How to remove someone from blocked list (current post)
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