How to Mark All Gmail as Read: A Complete Guide

I. Introduction

It’s a common issue: we have unread emails piling up in our inboxes, causing unnecessary clutter and anxiety. Marking emails as read can be tedious, especially when you have hundreds (if not thousands) of emails to go through. However, Gmail offers several ways to help you efficiently mark all emails as read. In this article, we will cover different methods to mark all Gmail as read, including using the “Mark All as Read” button, keyboard shortcuts, filters, the “Select All” checkbox and archive feature, Multiple Inboxes, and third-party extensions.

II. Using the “Mark All as Read” button

The quickest and simplest method to mark all Gmail as read is by using the “Mark All as Read” button. This button is located near the top of your inbox, just above the email list and below the search bar. To use this button:

1. Open Gmail and go to your inbox
2. Locate the “Mark All as Read” button
3. Click on the button

III. Using keyboard shortcuts

Another efficient method to mark all Gmail as read is by using keyboard shortcuts. This method is especially helpful when you have multiple unread emails to mark as read. Here are some useful shortcuts:

Shortcuts	Description
Shift + A	Select all emails in the current view
*	Select all emails in your inbox (including those on different pages)
Shift + I	Mark selected emails as read

To use these shortcuts:

1. Ensure your cursor is on your inbox or a specific label
2. Use the appropriate keyboard shortcut to select all or specific emails
3. Use the “Mark as Read” button or press “Shift + I” to mark selected emails as read

IV. Creating a filter to mark as read

Gmail’s filter feature provides an effortless way to organize your inbox and manage new emails. Filters can also be used to mark messages as read automatically. Here’s how to create a filter to mark read messages:

1. Click on the “Create a filter” button on the right-hand side of the search bar
2. In the “Has the words” section, type “is:unread”
3. Click on “Create filter”
4. Select “Mark as read” and click on “Create filter” again

Now, all new unread messages that match your filter will be automatically marked as read. However, it’s important to note that creating filters can sometimes result in important messages being marked as read or missed altogether.

V. Using the “Select All” checkbox and then marking as read

The “Select All” checkbox can be a helpful workaround if your inbox doesn’t have a “Mark All as Read” button. Here are the steps:

1. Go to your inbox or a specific label
2. Select the “Select All” checkbox, which is located at the top of your email list and to the left of the refresh button
3. Click on “Mark as read” from the toolbar at the top of the screen

By checking the “Select All” checkbox, every message on the current page and on other pages will be selected. You can also apply any of Gmail’s other features to selected messages, such as archiving or labeling.

VI. Utilizing the “Multiple Inboxes” feature

Gmail’s “Multiple Inboxes” feature allows you to add multiple customizable sub-inboxes to your main inbox. This feature is especially useful if you want to prioritize specific emails and mark them as read quickly. Here’s how:

1. Go to your Gmail settings and click on the “Advanced” tab
2. Scroll down to the “Multiple Inboxes” section and select “Enable”
3. Choose how you want to display your sub-inboxes (such as by label or importance)
4. Click on “Save Changes”
5. Once you have sub-inboxes set up, select all the emails within the sub-inbox that you would like to mark as read. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to speed up this process.
6. Click on “Mark as read” in the toolbar to mark all desired messages as read in that sub-inbox.

Using this method helps you to quickly identify and prioritize important emails to mark as read without having to sift through your entire inbox.

VII. Using a third-party extension to mark all as read

If you prefer to use third-party extensions, there are several options available for marking all Gmail as read. Some popular extensions include:

• Mark as Read Button for Gmail
• Gmail Email Seeker

After installing your preferred extension, simply follow the instructions provided to mark all Gmail as read.

VIII. Archiving all emails to clear the inbox

If you want a clean slate and are ready to start anew, archiving all your messages can help achieve that. Here’s how:

1. Go to your inbox
2. Select the “Select All” checkbox
3. Click on “Select all conversations that match this search”
4. From the drop-down menu, click on “All”
5. Click on “Archive” from the toolbar at the top of the screen
6. Once this process is complete, your inbox will be empty and all your emails will be archived. However, please be aware that this method will clear out your entire inbox (including any important emails).

IX. Conclusion

Having an overwhelming number of unread emails can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Fortunately, Gmail offers several ways to help you manage your unread emails and mark them as read. Whether you prefer to use the “Mark All as Read” button or create a filter to automatically mark your messages as read, there are several options available for you to choose from. Additionally, using keyboard shortcuts, the “Select All” checkbox and archive feature, Multiple Inboxes, or third-party extensions can make managing your unread Gmail easier and more efficient. Try out these different methods to find what works best for you, and don’t forget to regularly clear out your inbox to keep it organized and manageable.