E-mail is one of the noisiest parts of life in modern society. Our Gmail inbox is full and overflowing with newsletters, work summaries, receipts, online offers and personal notes these days. Among all the messages one gets, it is very easy to lose track of the ones that count. That is why it is a time saver to learn how to only see your unread emails in Gmail.
A stack of unread emails is not unlike a bunch of little to-do lists wrapped up like all sorts of unsuspecting things needing doing. Gmail has a number of features that’ll help you filter, search and organize your unread messages so that your inbox becomes more manageable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process on both desktop and mobile, as well as how to manage your unread emails.
Why Viewing Only Unread Emails Is Important
But before getting into those steps, let’s understand why it matters.
- It forces you to think about what’s pending. You can look ahead with no clutter from old chats.
- It ensures you miss no message from your boss, clients, or family.
- It’s a time saver if you have thousands of emails in your inbox and scrolling to the bottom is not super practical.
- It reduces stress. An uncluttered list of unread emails feels doable, compared with an overstuffed inbox.
Unread messages are like Post-it notes in Gmail. When you see the decisions in isolation, it helps keep your priorities straight.”
Use the “is:unread” Search Operator on Desktop
One of the easiest ways to show only unread email messages in Gmail is by using a search operator. Gmail’s search bar can make you crazy if you don’t know the right trick, but is:unread is one of the less known of those tricks.
Open your browser and go to Gmail. Sign in.
Find the search bar at the top of your inbox.
Type is:unread into the box at top and press Enter.
You will now see only unread emails in your inbox, within Gmail.
You can add other filters as well. For example:
- is:unread in:inbox will display only unread messages in the main inbox.
- is:unread from:[email] – Provides unread emails from a single sender.
It’s fast, reliable and applies to any device where Gmail is open in a browser.
Use Gmail Tabs to Find Unread Emails
Using the tabbed inbox of the Gmail (Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, Forums), there will be bold text with an agreeable background shade of the messages that have not been opened.
Open Gmail in a browser.
Look under each tab. Any unread messages are bold.
Click on a tab, and if you only want to see unread ones, type is:unread within that particular tab.
This marries Gmail’s categories with the search filter to give you a less cluttered view.
Making an Unread Label
So if you’d like a permanent place to look at your unread emails, create a label that will automatically collect them.
Click the gear icon and go to Gmail settings.
Select “See all settings.”
Select the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab.
To begin, make a new filter and type “is:unread” in the search field.
Use the filter and label (let’s call it “Unread”).
Save your changes.
Now you will see a label on the left sidebar for “Unread.” Tapping on this will always bring you to the unread emails only.
Prioritize using a Unread First Inbox in Gmail
Gmail includes several different types of inboxes; one type is named “Unread First.” Its name says it all and shows you unread emails directly at the top of your inbox.
Click the gear icon in Gmail.
Under “Quick settings,” locate “Inbox type.”
Select “Unread first.”
Now Gmail will add two sections: unread at the top, and everything else below that.
This is a great option if you always want unread messages front and center without having to do searches.
Reading the Unread Emails on Mobile Gmail App
Everybody looks at Gmail on their phone. There are unread labels in the Gmail app as well.
Launch the Gmail app on your iPhone or Android.
Tap the search bar at the screen’s top.
Type is:unread and press search.
It will display all unread messages in the app.
Advanced Search Options
For those who don’t like issuing commands, Gmail provides an advanced search box with filters.
Open Gmail desktop and tap the search bar dropdown arrow.
Under “Search,” choose “Unread mail.”
You could filter by sender, by subject or even by a range of dates.
Click “Search” to view results.
This is user-friendly for people who do not recall operators such as is:unread.
Troubleshooting When Unread Emails Don’t Show
Sometimes, though, even after filtering you can’t see unread emails where they are supposed to be. Here are some of the most common ones and how to fix them.
- Hidden in categories. Some unread emails may be in Promotions or Social tabs. Check all tabs.
- Archived by mistake. If you archived an unread message, search for them via is:unread in:all.
- Filters moving them. Check your filters to be sure email isn’t being automatically labeled, or forwarded, or even deleted.
- Mobile sync issues. ” Just refresh the Gmail app or your connection to the internet.
- Cached data. Sometimes, clearing the Gmail app cache can fix display related issues.
Tips to Manage Unread Emails Better
Reading unread messages is just the start. Handling them well keeps your inbox healthy.
- Get organized automatically with filters that label your messages for you.
- Archive don’t delete useless mails, instead keep them in unread positions.
- Snooze messages you want to put off a bit longer so you don’t forget about them.
- Shortcuts include changing settings to enable keyboard shortcuts and to use keyboard shortcuts, such as u to go back to messages that are unread.
- Mark your messages read when you are finished with them in order to ensure that your unread messages are on time.
These are the habits that prevent unread from accumulating.
Daily Life Habits for a Cleaner Inbox
- Begin every day with a search for is:unread to see what still must be done.
- Answer super quick emails and then archive them.
- Implement continuous prioritization with Gmail’s Unread First inbox.
- Swipe to clean your promotions with mass selection and lockdown.
- End your day with as close to zero unread count as possible.
Although it is not a bad idea to have Inbox Zero as a desired state of being, it may be even more calming to maintain your inbox without any unread emails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ensure that Gmail shows me unread email messages first?
Yes, by choosing “Unread first” from the inbox set-up options in Gmail settings.
Is it possible to view unread emails from a specific sender only?
Yes. Use is:unread from:[email address].
Do unread emails take up space on Gmail?
Yes. Whether you have already read it or not, that doesn’t matter. All emails count toward storage.
How can I make multiple unread messages read all at once?
Yes. Search is:unread, select all of them and click “Mark as read.”
Is there a Gmail widget for unread emails?
Yes. Install a mail-gadget, or a Gmail, on your phone that will display all of your unread messages on your home screen.
The process of learning how to see only unread emails in Gmail changes the way you handle your inbox. Whether you’re using the search operator is:unread, setting up a filter, utilizing the Unread First inbox, or just checking out the mobile app, Gmail offers lots of ways to zero in on only what requires attention.
The email that no one can read is much of a chore. Make them visible and limited like that, you will never miss a significant update and your inbox will not be as overwhelming to check.
