Delete or recover Gmail messages

When you delete a message, it stays in your bin 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 that you want to delete, tick 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, tick 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 bin

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

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

Recover messages from your bin

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

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

1. On your computer, go to Gmail.
2. On the left, click More Bin.
3. On the left of each message that you want to recover, tick 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