Delete or recover Gmail messages

When you delete a message, it stays in your trash for 30 days. After 30 days, the message is permanently deleted from your account and can't be recovered.

Delete one or more messages

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. On the left of each message you want to delete, check the box.
3. At the top, click Delete .

Tip: To delete a message in a thread:

1. Open the message.
2. Next to Reply , click More Delete this message.

Delete all messages in a category

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. On the left, select your inbox, label, or another category.
3. At the top left, above your messages, check the Select box. 
   • A notification that shows the number of selected conversations is displayed. To select all messages, click the link in the notification.
4. At the top, click Delete .

Empty your trash

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. On the left, click More Trash.
3. On the left of each message you want to permanently delete, check the box.
4. At the top, click Delete forever.

Tip: To delete all messages in your trash, in the notification, click Empty Trash now.

Recover messages from your trash

Important: You can’t recover messages that are permanently deleted or messages that have been in the trash for more than 30 days.

If you deleted your messages in the last 30 days, you can move them out of your trash.

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. On the left, click More Trash.
3. On the left of each message you want to recover, check the box.
4. At the top, click Move to .
5. In the “Move to” menu, choose where you want to move the messages.

Related resources

• Archive or mute Gmail messages
• Snooze emails until later