Blocked eMails in Mac Mail Don't Go To Trash as Configured

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Level 1

105 points

Blocked eMails in Mac Mail Don't Go To Trash as Configured

Mac Mail emails marked as BLOCKED still show up in my Junk and Inbox folders (mostly Junk folder). However, they are marked in the Settings "Move it to the Trash" (and Enable blocked mail filtering box is checked). Is there something that Apple has not ever fixed or am I doing something wrong in my config. Obviously not a big deal but the idea behind tech is to make things easier. If the emails marked as BLOCKED would go to trash, that would require less mouse clicks.

It seems many others complain about the same thing but have not been able to find the fix.

As an aside, when I mark an email blocked using my iPhone, it doesn't seem to get blocked on the Mac.

MacBook Pro 2019

macOS: Sequoia 15.7.2

iPhone 15 Pro

iOS Version: 26.1

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Dec 11, 2025 6:27 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 11, 2025 6:34 AM in response to buzzoff13

Same problem exists in iOS 26 and Tahoe 26.1. When I block a sender or a return path, things go to the trash ONLY after the popup "Apply Rules" is manually activated. I agree that the purpose of blocking and having the database direct things to the Trash folder rather than the Junk folder seems to be a fallacy in Mac Mail. I have done everything everyone has said in this community forum and still, it doesn't seem to work. So spammers seem to have figured out a way to bypass things maybe...

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Answer 2

buzzoff13 Author

Level 1

105 points

Dec 11, 2025 6:49 AM in response to grandy1214

grandy1214, I haven't gone to Tahoe yet but assumed it wouldn't be fixed there either. This issue has been a complaint by many for several years with no appearance of a fix, or even an attempt to fix. Stating that one should create rules for something that isn't working as it should is a band-aid that requires further work on the user's part which is the point of the system handling these issues instead of us.

I am not sure that spammers have figured away around the block because Apple should be ensuring that isn't the case. There are sometimes I really miss Outlook.

Do you have any issues blocking an eMail on your iPhone and it not showing as blocked on your Mac?

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Answer 3

buzzoff13 Author

Level 1

105 points

Dec 11, 2025 8:36 AM in response to AlWeir

AlWeir, thanks for your response and example. The only concern I have with the rule configuration, if I am understanding correctly, is the exception "Sender of message is in my Previous Recipient". Since I have manually blocked all these eMails that continue to arrive, aren't they considered a "Previous Recipient" and therefore would not move to trash?

Great point about making sure I am in my Contacts as I use multiple eMail addresses.

Still want to know what the fix, or if there will ever be one, as the Settings indicate that blocked eMails should go directly to Trash.

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Answer 4

buzzoff13 Author

Level 1

105 points

Dec 11, 2025 9:25 AM in response to AlWeir

AlWeir, if the email address changes, I don't think it would show as a blocked eMail. When you open the email, at the top it even says "This message is from a blocked sender". Just the fact that it is labeled as blocked shouldn't it be sent straight to the trash and not to my inbox?

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Answer 5

AlWeir

Level 5

4,947 points

Dec 11, 2025 9:38 AM in response to buzzoff13

I have tried to block emails either by subject or by email address and most of the time it doesn't help. All you have to do is look at the Headers of email and find that spammer have changed something in them. Even trying to block them on the server doesn't work.

What I get now are alot of phishing emails that I report to the guys at Gmail but they keep coming. I have one right now sitting on the server that I'll report and delete.

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Answer 6

buzzoff13 Author

Level 1

105 points

Dec 11, 2025 9:59 AM in response to AlWeir

I guess that is my point to Apple. Why can't they block it when we say block it. Are the spammers smarter than Apple or is it Apple doesn't consider this a big enough issue to resolve? Anyway, thanks for the responses. I guess we are all frustrated!

I actually do block this from w/in the Mail app even though it is Gmail. I have tried the server side as well but that didn't help either, as you indicated.

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Answer 7

AlWeir

Level 5

4,947 points

Dec 11, 2025 10:09 AM in response to buzzoff13

Neither Google or Apple want the responsibility of deleting your emails. They leave that up to us. That being said Google will block emails that are full of malware and other weapoinizied emails that might do harm to you computer.

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