Where is the Archive in Gmail & How to use it? [2023]

What does Archive mean in Gmail?

Archiving emails in Gmail means moving messages from the primary inbox to an “All Mail” or “Archive” folder.

Archiving helps declutter the inbox but is not the only way to clean a Gmail inbox.

Difference between Archive & Delete

Archive an email in Gmail

It keeps a record of communication without deleting anything. Archived correspondence remains accessible when needed.

Delete an email in Gmail

It removes the email permanently from the account. It cannot be retrieved once deleted.

You can find how to delete emails in Gmail on our blog.

Where is Gmail Archive folder

Gmail Archive folder in Gmail application

1. Open the Gmail application on your device.

2. Tap on the menu icon (typically represented by three horizontal lines) located in the top-left corner of the screen.

3. Scroll down the menu and find the “All Mail” label.
4. Tap on “All Mail” to open the Archive folder.
5. Inside the “All Mail” folder, you will find all the emails that have been archived rather than being in the primary inbox.

Gmail Archive folder on computer

1. Open a web browser and go to the Gmail website
2. Log in to your Gmail account if you haven’t already.
3. Look at the left sidebar, where you’ll find various labels and folders and click on “More”.

4. Scroll down the sidebar if necessary, and you should see the “All Mail” label.
5. Click on “All Mail” to access the Archive folder.

6. Inside the “All Mails” folder, you will find all the emails that have been archived instead of being in the primary inbox.

How to archive emails in Gmail

Archive emails in Gmail application

1. Open the Gmail application on your device.
2. Navigate to the inbox or the specific email you want to archive.
3. Long-press on the email you wish to archive. Alternatively, you can select multiple emails by tapping on the checkbox next to each email.
4. Once the email(s) is selected, look for the archive icon, which typically resembles a box with a downward arrow. It is usually located at the top or bottom of the screen.
5. Tap on the archive icon to archive the selected email(s).

Archive emails on computer

1. Open a web browser and go to the Gmail website.
2. Log in to your Gmail account if you haven’t already.
3. Navigate to the inbox or the specific email you want to archive.
4. Select the checkbox next to the email(s) you wish to archive. You can select multiple emails by checking multiple checkboxes.
5. Once the email(s) is selected, look for the archive icon in the toolbar. It usually resembles a box with a down arrow.
6. Click on the archive icon to archive the selected email(s).

How long do archived email stay in Gmail

Archived emails in Gmail stay in the user’s account indefinitely.

Unlike the Trash or Bin folder, where deleted emails are permanently deleted after a certain period, archived emails do not have an automatic expiration date.

How to retrieve Gmail Archive?

1. Log in to your Gmail account if you haven’t already.
2. Click on “All Mail” label. Inside the folder, you will find the emails that have been archived.

3. If you remember specific details about the archived email, you can use the search bar at the top to search for specific keywords, sender, or other criteria to narrow down the results.

4. Once you find the archived email you want to retrieve, select the checkbox next to it.

5. With the email selected, you have a few options:
   • Click on the “Move to Inbox” button in the toolbar to move the email back to your primary inbox.
   • Click on the folder icon in the toolbar to move the email to a different label or folder.
   • Alternatively, you can open the email, and at the top of the email window, click on the “Move to Inbox” button.

In conclusion, understanding the Archive feature in Gmail is crucial for efficient email management. By knowing where to find it and how to use it, you can declutter your inbox and keep important emails accessible.

But if you want to keep your inbox clean, we really encourage you to learn how to get rid of spam emails.
Moreover we recommend you to try Cleanfox our free application that helps you to get rid of all useless emails.