Mark messages as read or unread

If you want to remember to read a message later, you can mark it as unread. You can also mark messages as read without opening them.

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Mark a message as unread

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  2. Open the message.
    • If you want to stay in your inbox, tap the sender's profile image.
  3. At the top right, tap Unread .

Mark a message as read

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  2. On the left of the message, tap the sender's profile image.
  3. At the top right, tap Read .

Add "Mark as read/unread" as a swipe action

To quickly archive messages in your inbox with a swipe to the left or right, add “Mark as read/unread” as a swipe action.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  2. At the top left, tap Menu and then Settings.
  3. Tap General settings and then Mail swipe actions.
  4. Next to “Right swipe” or “Left swipe,” tap Change.
  5. Tap Mark as read/unread.

Mark multiple messages as read

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  2. On the left of the message, tap the sender's profile image.
  3. At the top left, tap the box next to "Select all."
    • Tip: To select more messages, scroll down, then tap the box next to "Select all" again.
  4. At the top right, tap Mark as read .

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