Gmail folders, also called labels, are very useful for organizing your inbox. They allow you to group or organize your emails for better management of your messages. If you no longer need one or more of these folders, it is easy to delete them on the web, iPhone and iPad versions of Gmail. We will show you how to delete a folder in Gmail.
Please note: : Surprisingly enough, as I write this article in July 2024, theGmail android app won't delete folder (label). To do this, you will need to use a computer, an iPhone or an iPad (because yes, the iOS application allows you to do this).
What to know before deleting a folder in Gmail
When you delete a folder, Gmail removes that folder but all your emails that were in this folder are kept in your inbox. However, be aware that once you delete a folder, you cannot restore it, but you can create a new folder if you wish and put the emails back in it.
Before you begin the folder deletion process, if you want delete all emails who are in this folder, first find and delete all of these emails. Then, proceed to the section below to delete the folder itself.
Delete a folder (Label) from the web version of Gmail
On your desktop computer, whether Windows, Mac, Linux or Chromebook, you will be able to go through the Gmail website to delete your folders.
- To get started, launch a web browser on your computer and go to gmail. Log in to your account if you haven't already.
- On the main Gmail interface, in the lateral bar left, in the section Labels, locate the folder you want to delete. Then, hover over that folder and click on the three dots.
Note: If you don't see the folder you want to delete, click "More" at the bottom of your folder list to see all of your available folders.
- In the menu that opens after clicking on the three dots, choose Delete label.
- Gmail will open a window to confirm the manipulation. Click on Remove to confirm your wish to delete a folder in Gmail.
And that's it, Gmail will delete the selected folder from your account. But remember that the emails that were in that folder still exist in your account if you didn't delete them manually.
Delete a folder (Label) using the Gmail app on iPhone or iPad
- To delete a folder using your iPhone or iPad, start by launching the Gmail app on your phone. Then in the top-left corner of the app, press the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines).
- Scroll to the bottom of the menu that opens and tap Settings.
- In the settings, find the section Mailbox and select Inbox customization.
- On this page, find the option Labels and click on it.
- This takes you to the page Label Settings which shows all your Gmail folders. Tap the folder (label) to delete.
- On the folder page, tap Delete [Folder Name].
- Then select Remove in the confirmation window.
Gmail will then delete the chosen folder from your account, and that's it.
