How to Block All Emails Except Contacts in Gmail

Prerequisites

• Gmail account: Access via web interface
• Contacts set up: Ensure your Google Contacts are up-to-date
• Basic navigation skills: Familiarity with Gmail settings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Generate a List of Allowed Contacts

• Open your Contacts: Click the Google Apps grid icon and select Contacts.
• Select Contacts: Choose individual contacts or select all.
• Copy Email Addresses: Click the 'Send mail' icon to draft an email with all addresses and copy them.

2. Create a Gmail Filter

1. Access Settings: Click the Settings gear icon and select See all settings.
2. Navigate to Filters: Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.
3. Start a New Filter: Click Create a new filter.
4. Enter Exclusion List: In the From field, type a minus - sign followed by your contact list, separated by spaces. E.g., -alice@example.com -bob@example.org.
5. Set Filter Actions: Choose Delete it to remove non-contact emails or Skip the Inbox (Archive it) for safer results.
6. Apply the Filter: Click Create filter to finalize.

Troubleshooting

• Too Many Addresses: Gmail may limit filter length. Split into multiple filters as needed.

:::warning
Verify each filter’s syntax to avoid unintentional deletions.
:::

• Updating Contacts: Remember to update your filter whenever you add new contacts.

FAQs

1. What if I add a new contact?
   You will need to manually update the filter to include new email addresses.

2. Can I recover an email deleted by mistake?
   Yes, check the Trash folder and restore relevant emails before Google deletes them automatically.

3. What happens if the filter doesn't work?
   Verify that the minus - sign precedes each email correctly. Test with a known contact’s email.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've set up Gmail to focus only on emails from your contacts. This method requires some maintenance as you add new contacts. For enhanced automation, consider using KeepKnown, which automatically organizes your emails by labeling non-contact messages so they don’t clutter your inbox.

For more tips on managing your Gmail efficiently, check out our related tutorials:

• Prioritize Contacts: Streamline Gmail to Focus on Key Emails
• Master Auto-Archiving: Declutter Gmail Effortlessly