How to delete all emails on Gmail?

Receiving a notification that your email storage is low can be a real headache. Luckily Gmail has some features that can help you take care of that issue in an easy and quick way.

Let’s get right straight to it. Keep reading to find out how to delete all emails on Gmail.

How to delete all emails on Gmail: step-by-step guide

How to mass delete all emails on Gmail

Feeling up to the challenge? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete all emails on Gmail:

1. Log in to your Gmail account.
2. Locate the checkbox positioned at the top of your inbox, just to the left of the refresh button. Clicking this will select all the emails currently displayed on the first page.
3. Next, click the blue text that reads, “Select all X conversations in Primary”.
4. Finally, click the delete button, which resembles a trash can. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep these emails hidden but accessible, you can opt for the archive button (depicted as a folder with a downward arrow).
5. And just like that, your inbox is now refreshingly empty.

You may read: 5 Ideas to customize iPhone home screen

How to mass delete specific types of emails on Gmail

Spend less time in your inbox

If you’re eager to streamline your inbox and automate Gmail for more efficient email management, you don’t necessarily have to consign your entire inbox to the Trash folder. 

To delete all emails on Gmail is not always the best option, so keep in mind there are several ways to efficiently clear out specific types of emails.

By Gmail Categories

1. Click on “Categories” in the left-hand sidebar to unveil additional options.
2. Select a specific category (such as Social, Updates, Forums, or Promotions) that you’d like to declutter.
3. Now, check the box at the top of your inbox.
4. Make sure to click the blue text that reads “Select all X conversations…”
5. Choose between “Delete” or “Archive”.

By Labels

1. Click on “Labels” located at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar.
2. Choose the label you wish to clear. The process remains consistent: check the box at the top of your inbox, click the blue text that reads “Select all X conversations…”, and opt for “Delete” or “Archive”.

By Date Range

1. To delete emails prior to a specific date, input the date in the search bar using this format: before:YYYY/M/D.
2. To delete emails after a certain date, use the format after:YYYY/M/D.
3. For deleting emails within a designated date range, input the range in the format after:YYYY/M/D before:YYYY/M/D.
4. Press “Enter” or “Return”.
5. Continue the mass deletion process: check the box at the top of your inbox, click the blue text reading “Select all X conversations…”, and decide whether to “Delete” or “Archive”.

By Sender

1. In the search bar, type the sender’s email address in this format: from:[email protected].
2. Hit “Enter” or “Return”.
3. As before, check the box at the top of your inbox, click the blue text reading “Select all X conversations…”, and select either “Delete” or “Archive”.

By Read/Unread Status

1. To remove all unread emails, enter is:unread in the search bar.
2. For eliminating read emails, use is:read.
3. Press “Enter” or “Return”.
4. Proceed with mass deletion: check the box at the top of your inbox, click the blue text saying “Select all X conversations…”, and make the choice between “Delete” or “Archive”.
5. With these techniques, you can efficiently declutter your Gmail inbox based on specific criteria, making email management a breeze.

You may also read: Top 13 Best AI Tools for Increasing Productivity 2023

How to mass delete emails on the Gmail app

While the app doesn’t offer a direct option to delete all emails on Gmail, a handy hack can expedite the process on both Android and iPhone.

Android Hack

1. Click on the settings icon. You can find it in the top-left corner.
2. Scroll down and select “Settings.”
3. Choose “General settings”.
4. Tap “Mail swipe actions”.
5. Select “Change” next to “Right swipe” or “Left swipe”, depending on your preferred deletion direction.
6. Pick “Delete” from the list of options.
7. Return to your email inbox and swipe in your chosen direction to delete emails.

iPhone Hack

1. Click on the settings icon. It is located in the top-left corner of the Gmail app.
2. Scroll down and select “Settings”.
3. Choose “Inbox customizations”.
4. Tap “Mail swipe actions”.
5. Select either “Right swipe” or “Left swipe”, depending on your desired deletion direction.
6. Opt for “Trash” from the list that appears.
7. Return to your email inbox and swipe in the chosen direction to delete emails.

This method doesn’t completely eliminate the need to delete emails one by one, but it significantly expedites the process. Imagine it as having a couple of friends to help you pick up grains of rice one by one.

Mass Delete on Gmail FAQ

If you’re looking forward to delete all emails on Gmail, or are simply anxious about accidentally deleting something important, consider these answers to common questions about mass email deletion.

How to Permanently Delete Emails on Gmail?

Deleted emails in Gmail initially land in a separate Trash folder. These emails will be permanently deleted after 30 days, but you can expedite their removal by following these steps:

1. Click “More” in the left-hand sidebar to access additional options.
2. Select “Trash”.
3. Click “Empty Trash now” to permanently delete emails within the Trash folder.

Can you recover deleted emails on Gmail?

If you’ve already taken steps to permanently delete emails from the Trash folder, they cannot be recovered. However, if you haven’t done so, here’s how to recover emails:

Recover Select Emails:

1. Check the boxes next to the emails you wish to recover within the Trash folder.
2. Click the Move icon (depicted as a folder with a right-facing arrow).
3. Choose the folder where you want to relocate the selected emails.

Recover All Emails:

If you don’t want to delete all emails on Gmail, and quite on the contrary are looking forward to recover all emails within the Trash folder, check the box next to the refresh button.

1. Click “Select all [quantity] conversations in Trash”.
2. Use the Move icon to designate the folder where you want to move the selected emails.

Is there a quick way to delete emails on Gmail?

An alternative method to delete all emails on Gmail involves the use of keyboard shortcuts. First, ensure that keyboard shortcuts are enabled:

1. Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top-left corner.
2. Select “See all settings”.
3. Navigate to the General tab (default).
4. Scroll down to “Keyboard shortcuts” and ensure the setting is toggled on.

Now, take advantage of the following keyboard shortcuts:

Mass Delete Emails: Simultaneously press “*” and “a” on your keyboard to select all emails on the current page, then press “#” to delete the selected emails.

Archive Emails: Simultaneously press “*” and “a” to select all emails on the current page, followed by “e” to archive the selected emails.

By employing these techniques, you can efficiently declutter your Gmail inbox and continue to maintain an organized email experience. For further email management, consider implementing space-saving Gmail filters and automating your Gmail with Zapier to spend less time in your inbox.

Keep reading: Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Other 5 Revolutionary Discoveries