How to Mark All Emails as Read in Gmail

Method 1: Mark All as Read Automatically (Clean Email)

One of the quickest and simplest ways to clear the unread badge is using automation.

With Auto Clean in Clean Email, you can not only mark new messages as read, but mark existing emails as well which differs from Gmail’s filters. This allows you to manage a large backlog of unread messages without a manual process or the need to repeat steps.

You can set up an Auto Clean rule in just minutes:

1. Go to: https://app.clean.email/ and sign in to your Gmail account.
2. Select Auto Clean on the left.
3. Click Create Rule or the plus sign on the right.
4. Give the rule a Name and choose the conditions.
5. For the action, pick Mark Read.
6. Optionally, enable the toggle to Apply to existing messages.
7. Click Create Rule.

Moving forward, emails you receive that match your conditions will be marked as read. And luckily, so will all of the existing messages.

Method 2: Mark All as Read in Gmail on Desktop

There are two ways to mark all emails as read in Gmail using the desktop app; using a search operator and the checkbox selection. Each provides different results which is important to keep in mind depending on the unread emails you want to find in Gmail.

Both methods also help you handle Gmail’s default 50-email selection limit which can cause confusion and consume more time than necessary.

Use a Search Operator

Use this option to find and mark all unread emails in your entire mailbox, including those with labels.

1. Enter is:unread in the Search box at the top.
2. Press Enter or Return to receive your results.
3. Mark the Select checkbox on the top left.
4. Click the link for Select all messages that match this search.
5. Choose Mark as read (open envelope) in the top toolbar.

Use the Checkbox Selection

Use this option to find and mark all unread emails with a particular label, marked as important, or starred.

1. Select the label or location on the left.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Mark the Select checkbox on the top left.
   • Click the arrow next to the Select checkbox and pick Unread.
1. Go to the next page of emails and repeat Step 2.
2. Continue this process until you’ve selected all unread emails on each page.
3. Choose Mark as read in the top toolbar.

📌 Tip: Prefer to rid your mailbox of the unread messages instead of marking them as read? Learn how to delete all unread emails in Gmail.

Method 3: Auto-Mark Incoming Emails as Read with a Gmail Filter

You may have specific emails you want marked as read as soon as they arrive. This might include social notifications, confirmation emails, or promotional messages.

By setting up a filter in Gmail, you can automatically mark incoming emails. Because filters only apply to new messages, you can combine this method with the first or second method on our list to catch them all.

1. Click the Show search options button on the right of the Search box.
2. Enter the criteria for the emails and click Create filter.
3. Select Mark as read for the action and click Create filter.

For additional details such as using multiple conditions or applying more than one action, check out our guide for filtering emails in Gmail.

Method 4: Mark All as Read in Gmail on Mobile

Like on your desktop, you have two ways to mark all emails as read in Gmail on iPhone and Android using the mobile app. Unfortunately, there’s no simple “mark all” or “mark all unread” option.

These processes differ slightly from the web app, but accomplish the same goal and also address the default selection limit.

Use the Search Button

Use this option to find and mark all unread emails in your entire mailbox.

1. Tap inside the Search box at the top.
2. Select the is:unread button directly beneath. Note: You may have to scroll right in the row to see the button.
3. Long-press an email in the list.
4. Mark the Select all checkbox at the top.
5. Scroll to the bottom to load more messages if necessary.
6. Mark the Select all checkbox again.
7. Repeat Steps 4, 5, and 6 until you’ve selected all unread emails.
8. Tap Mark as read (open envelope) at the top.

Use the Manual Method

Use this option to find and mark all unread emails with a specific label, marked as important, or starred.

1. Select the label or location on the left.
2. Long-press an unread email in the list.
3. Tap the profile icon on the left to select each additional unread email.
4. Scroll to the bottom to load more messages if necessary.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you’ve selected all unread emails.
6. Choose Mark as read at the top.

Why Emails Keep Coming Back as Unread

Did you notice that emails reappear as unread? While it can be frustrating, below are the reasons for this and how to fix them.

New replies to a thread: When you mark an email conversation as read, that thread normally displays as unread when you receive a reply.

• Mute the conversation (M shortcut) or create a filter to automatically mark new emails for the thread as read.

IMAP syncing: If you use a third-party email client for Gmail, messages you mark as read may not return that status to Gmail’s server. So, they display as unread in the Gmail app.

• Enable the setting in your email client for “mark as read on server” or “sync read status.” You can also check Gmail’s Setting (Forwarding and POP/IMAP) for any IMAP access conflicts.

Third-party app overwriting: When you connect apps like productivity tools, mobile email clients, and CRM’s, those apps can reset the read status flags when you sync.

• Remove access from any third-party apps you no longer use by clicking your profile icon and choosing Manage your Google Account → Third-party apps & services.

Unfinished batch processing: If you use the “Select all messages” link (Method 2 above) and are in the middle of processing thousands of emails as read, any new messages that arrive will be missed and remain unread.

• Repeat the “select all” process or use Clean Email to catch and mark the missed messages as read.

Conclusion

Knowing how to mark all unread emails as read in Gmail can save you from a distracting inbox. With automations in an email management app or manual steps in Gmail, you can easily apply the “read” status. Then, focus on your most important messages, not the unread ones.