Archiving emails in Gmail moves them out of your inbox without deleting them, so you can find them later if needed.
In this article, you’ll learn how to archive emails in Gmail, whether it’s a single message or multiple messages at once.
We’ll also cover where archived emails go, how to find them, and how to unarchive them. Plus, we’ll share some useful tips to keep your Gmail inbox organized.
What Is an Archived Email?
An archived email in Gmail is a message you remove from your inbox without deleting it. It’s still in your Gmail account and can be found anytime using the search bar or the "All Mail" folder.
For example, if you receive a flight ticket for a trip next month, you don’t need it cluttering your inbox every day. Instead of deleting it, you can archive it.
The email is out of sight, but when the trip gets closer, you can easily find it by searching for it in Gmail.
Why Is Archiving Emails Important?
Archiving emails in Gmail helps keep your inbox clean without losing important messages. Here’s why it’s useful:
- Stay organized: Archiving removes old or less important emails from your inbox, making it easier to focus on what matters.
- Find emails anytime: Archived messages don’t disappear. You can easily find them using the search bar or in the "All Mail" folder.
- Keep important records: Instead of deleting your emails, archiving keeps valuable documents, receipts, and conversations safe for future reference.
- Boost productivity: A clutter-free inbox helps you stay focused, work faster, and avoid distractions.
In short, using the archive feature, you can organize your Gmail inbox and improve the way you manage emails every day.
How to Archive an Email in Gmail
Archiving emails in Gmail on a computer or laptop is simple. Follow these steps:
1. Open Gmail: Go to Gmail and sign in to your Gmail account if you haven't already.
2. Find the email: Scroll through your inbox label or use the search bar at the top to locate the email you want to archive.
3. Hover over the email: Then you’ll see several icons appear on the right side. Look for the archive icon (a box with a down arrow).
4. Click the archive icon: Once you click it, the email will be removed from your inbox but saved in your account.
How to Archive Multiple Emails at Once
If you want to archive multiple messages, follow these steps:
1. Select the emails: Click the small checkbox next to each email you want to archive.
2. Click the archive button: At the top of the page, you’ll see a menu with several icons. Click the archive icon to move all selected emails out of your inbox.
3. Done! The emails will disappear from your inbox but will remain in "All Mail", where you can find them later.
Archiving helps organize your Gmail inbox and keep important messages without deleting them. You can always search for archived emails when needed.
How to Unarchive an Email in Gmail
If you accidentally archived an email or need to bring it back to your inbox, you can easily unarchive it. Here’s how:
1. Find the archived email: Click "All Mail" in the left menu (on desktop) or open the main menu (☰) on mobile and select "All Mail." You can also search for the email using the search bar.
2. Select the email: Open the email or check the checkbox next to it.
3. Move it back to your inbox: Click the "Move to Inbox" button at the top.
That’s it! The email will now appear in your Gmail inbox, just like before. If you would like how to unarchive emails in Gmail in an in-depth more guide on desktop and mobile, have a look at our guide: How to Unarchive Emails in Gmail
Take Control of Your Gmail Inbox with MailTracker
Archiving emails helps keep your Gmail inbox organized, but managing emails goes beyond that.
With MailTracker, you can track when your emails are read, set follow-up reminders, and stay on top of important conversations.
With MailTracker, you can:
- See when your important messages are opened
- Send emails at the best times for better response rates
- Stay on top of conversations with follow-up reminders
- Manage your Gmail inbox more efficiently
Start organizing smarter today—add MailTracker to Chrome for free!
FAQs
Where Do Archived Emails Go in Gmail?
When you archive an email, it disappears from your inbox but isn’t deleted. Instead, it moves to "All Mail", which stores all your Gmail messages.
Can I View, Read, or Reply to an Archived Email?
Yes! Archived emails work just like regular emails. You can open, read, and reply to them at any time.
Can I Delete an Archived Email?
Yes, archiving doesn’t prevent deletion. If you no longer need an email, you can delete it permanently.
Can I Archive Gmail Emails to Save Space?
No, archiving emails does not free up storage space in Gmail. Archived emails are still stored in your Google account and count toward your total Google Drive storage limit.
If you need to free up space, consider deleting large emails with attachments instead of archiving them.
