How to Bulk Mark Gmail as Read or Delete All Emails Simultaneously

We’ve all experienced the overwhelm of a cluttered Gmail inbox, with an intimidating number of unread messages creating a sense of unease. The persistent red notification icon serves as a constant reminder of the daunting task we’ve been putting off.

But fear not, as it’s time to regain control of your inbox and tackle the overwhelming volume of messages. The good news is that Gmail offers straightforward methods to mark your entire inbox as read or to delete all emails.

Mark all messages as read

If you want to keep the messages for future reference but clear all those pending notifications, here are the steps:

1. 
   Unfortunately, this feature is not accessible through the mobile app, so open Gmail on your desktop computer.
2. Locate and select the checkbox positioned below the search bar at the top left of your inbox to choose all currently visible messages.
3. A prompt will appear, asking if you want to select ALL mail from the inbox.
4. Click the “Mark as read” button located above your emails, identifiable by the open envelope icon.
5. Confirm your selection, and watch as your inbox gets rid of those stress-inducing unread labels.

If you have a change of heart, you can quickly undo this action by clicking the “undo” link toward the bottom right. Alternatively, if you’ve already committed, you can mark your entire inbox as unread by repeating the process and selecting the “mark as read” icon (though it’s unclear why you would want to do that).

Permanently deleting all mail

If you’re seeking a more enduring solution and aim to wipe your account clean entirely, deleting all your emails is a viable option:

1. Log in to Gmail on your desktop and select all messages using the top checkbox, as mentioned previously.
2. Remember to acknowledge the prompt for selecting all mail.
3. This time, use the trash can icon above your emails to delete them.
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Keep in mind that your messages may still be recoverable from the Trash for up to 30 days, occupying storage space. To permanently purge everything, ensure you empty the bin.

While the steps are straightforward, clearing or deleting thousands of Gmail messages may take several seconds, depending on the volume of mail you have. So, sit back and relax while Google works its magic after you complete these actions. It’s worth noting that we wish this feature extended to mobile apps, eliminating the need to fire up the laptop every time.