Having trouble with someone bothering you on your MacBook? Let’s walk through exactly how to block unwanted contacts across different Mac apps and services. It’s actually pretty straightforward once you know where to look.
Blocking in Messages
The Messages app is probably where you’ll most commonly need to block someone. Open Messages, click on the conversation with the person you want to block, then click their name at the top of the chat window. Click the ‘i’ info button and you’ll see an option to “Block this Person.” Once blocked, they won’t be able to send you any messages or FaceTime calls.
Blocking in Mail
Getting unwanted emails? Apple Mail makes it easy to block senders. When you’re viewing an email from someone you want to block, click their email address at the top of the message, then click the arrow that appears. Select “Block Contact” from the dropdown menu. Their future emails will go straight to your junk folder.
Blocking in FaceTime
To block FaceTime calls, open the FaceTime app and click “FaceTime” in the menu bar. Select “Preferences,” then click “Blocked.” Click the + button to add someone to your blocked list. This prevents them from FaceTime calling you on any of your Apple devices.
Managing Your Blocked Contacts List
Want to see everyone you’ve blocked or make changes? Here’s where to look:
– Open System Preferences
– Click “Apple ID”
– Select “Family Sharing” in the sidebar
– Click “Blocked Contacts”
From here, you can view, add, or remove people from your master blocked list. These blocks sync across all your Apple devices connected to your Apple ID.
What Happens When You Block Someone?
When you block a contact, they:
– Can’t send you messages
– Can’t FaceTime call you
– Won’t see when you’re online
– Won’t get delivered receipts
– Can still email you (but messages go to junk)
– Won’t be notified they’ve been blocked
Remember, blocking works both ways – you won’t be able to contact them either unless you unblock them. If you’re having issues with harassment, don’t hesitate to block someone. Your digital peace of mind is important, and Apple has made it easy to maintain healthy boundaries online.
Pro tip: Before blocking someone completely, consider muting notifications from them first if you just need a temporary break. This way, you can still access the conversation if needed without getting interrupted by their messages.
