How to Show Only Unread Emails in Gmail

To show only unread emails in Gmail, enter is:unread in the search bar and run the search. This works on the Gmail website and in the Gmail app for Android, iPhone, and iPad. You can also use the Is unread search filter to narrow an existing search.

Search for unread emails on your computer or phone

On your computer, open Gmail and click the search bar at the top. Enter the following query, then press Enter:

is:unread

On Android, iPhone, or iPad, open Gmail and tap Search in mail. Enter is:unread, then tap Search on the keyboard. The results show your unread messages.

These search steps work with personal Gmail and Google Workspace accounts. Searches normally exclude Spam and Trash, so use the broader query below if an expected unread message is in either location.

Use the Is unread search filter

On the Gmail website, enter your search criteria in the search bar and press Enter. Click Is unread below the search bar. Gmail limits the existing search to unread matches.

In the Android, iPhone, or iPad app, tap Search in mail and enter your search criteria. Tap Is unread under the search box. You can combine it with Label, From, To, or Date to narrow the results further.

Narrow or expand your unread search

To find unread messages in the Primary category, use the following query when your account uses that category. Enter it in Gmail’s search bar, then press Enter on the web or tap Search on the mobile keyboard:

is:unread category:primary

For unread messages with a label named work, enter the query below. Run it with Enter on the web or Search on the mobile keyboard:

is:unread label:work

If an expected unread message is missing, broaden your search to include Spam and Trash. Enter the following query, then press Enter on the web or tap Search on the mobile keyboard:

in:anywhere is:unread

Put unread messages first in your inbox

On a computer, open Gmail and click Settings. Under Inbox type, select Unread first. Gmail displays Unread above Everything else.

Read messages remain in Everything else, so this layout still contains read mail. Run is:unread when you want search results limited to unread messages. With Conversation view on, an opened conversation can still include earlier read messages.

On Android, open Gmail, then open Menu > Settings and choose your account. Under Inbox, tap Inbox type and select Unread first. Gmail splits your inbox into Inbox and Unread sections. The setting applies to the account you selected.

On iPhone or iPad, open Gmail and go to Menu > Settings. Under Inbox, tap Inbox type, then select Unread first. Gmail splits your inbox into Inbox and Unread sections.

Create a reusable unread section on the web

To keep an unread section alongside your main inbox, configure Multiple inboxes on a computer. Open Gmail and click Settings. Next to Inbox type, select Multiple inboxes, then click Customize.

Enter the following query as a section’s search criteria. This limits that section to unread messages:

is:unread

Enter a name under Section name, then adjust Maximum page size and Multiple Inbox position as desired. Click Save Changes to save the layout. The unread section appears alongside your main inbox.

Ask Gemini to find unread messages

You can use Gemini with an eligible Google AI or Google Workspace plan, or eligible Workspace Experiments access. On the web, supported languages and account availability also apply. If Ask Gemini is missing, run is:unread in Gmail’s search bar.

On the Gmail website, click Ask Gemini at the top right. In the prompt box, type Show my unread emails, then click Submit. Google says Gemini loads the matching messages in a Gmail search.

In Gmail on Android, iPhone, or iPad, tap Ask Gemini to the right of the search bar. Enter Show my unread emails in the prompt box and submit the prompt. Gemini loads the matching messages in a Gmail search.

Filter Gmail in another mail app

If Gmail is already connected to Apple Mail, Outlook, or Thunderbird, you can filter messages inside that app. Open the Gmail mailbox or folder you want to view, then use its unread filter.

In Apple Mail on iPhone with iOS 26, open the connected Gmail mailbox and tap Toggle Filtering at the bottom left. Tap Filtered by, then select Unread. Deselect additional criteria if you want every unread message in that mailbox.

In Apple Mail on iPad with iPadOS 26, open the connected Gmail mailbox and tap Toggle Filtering, then Filtered by. Select Unread and deselect unwanted additional criteria. Tap Done.

In Apple Mail on Mac, open the Gmail mailbox and choose View > Filter. Make Unread the active criterion and clear unwanted additional criteria. Choose View > Filter > Enable Message Filter, or click Filter above the message list. Apple identifies Unread as the default filter.

In new Outlook for Windows, select the connected Gmail folder and choose Filter > Unread above the message list. In supported classic Outlook editions, select the Gmail folder and click Unread above the message list. This changes your Outlook view.

In Outlook for Android or iOS, open the connected Gmail account’s inbox. Tap Filters at the top right, then select Unread.

In desktop Thunderbird, select the connected Gmail folder, click Quick Filter above the message list, then click Unread. Alternatively, reveal the filter bar with Ctrl + Shift + K on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + K on Mac, then click Unread. Use Pin if you want to retain the filter when switching folders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an unread search include archived emails?

To search archived messages specifically, enter in:archive in Gmail’s search bar. For the broadest unread search, which covers all of Gmail including Spam and Trash, use in:anywhere is:unread.

Can you bookmark an unread Gmail search?

Yes, in desktop Chrome, run is:unread in Gmail, then click Bookmark to the right of the address bar. This uses Chrome’s bookmarking feature to save the page you’re on.

Can you start an unread search with the keyboard?

Yes, in desktop Gmail with a supported keyboard and language, press Shift + / to open keyboard shortcut help. Press Tab to reach Enable or Disable; if the control says Enable, press Enter, then close the dialog. Press / to focus Search mail, type is:unread, and press Enter. Screen reader users need the appropriate focus mode.

How do you remove the unread filter in Outlook mobile?

In Outlook for Android or iOS, tap the X beside the filter to remove it. You can apply it again through Filters > Unread in the connected Gmail account’s inbox.