Managing a crowded inbox can be overwhelming. Over time, emails from promotions, subscriptions, or conversations you no longer need can pile up. Knowing how to delete multiple emails at once can help you save time and keep your email organized.
This guide explains how to bulk delete emails across different platforms—iPhone, Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and desktop clients—with simple, step-by-step instructions.
Why You Should Delete Multiple Emails at Once
Here are a few reasons why people bulk delete emails:
You want to clean up your inbox
You need to free up email storage space
You accidentally subscribed to too many newsletters
You’re organizing old work or school emails
You want to start fresh with your inbox
Whatever your reason, most email services make it easy to delete multiple emails quickly.
How to Delete Multiple Emails on iPhone Mail App
If you’re using the default Mail app on iPhone, here’s how to remove several emails at once:
- Open the Mail app
- Go to the inbox or folder you want to clean
- Tap Edit in the top right corner
- Select all the emails you want to delete
- Tap the Trash icon at the bottom
To select a range of emails faster:
- Tap with two fingers and swipe down through the list. This selects multiple emails quickly.
Once deleted, emails move to the Trash folder. They’ll be removed permanently after 30 days unless you empty the Trash manually.
How to Delete Multiple Emails in Gmail (Mobile App)
Gmail’s mobile app doesn’t support selecting a large number of emails at once like the desktop version. However, you can still select and delete emails:
- Open the Gmail app
- Tap and hold on the first email you want to delete
- Tap other emails to select them
- Tap the Trash icon
Repeat for different sections like Promotions or Social tabs.
For large cleanups, it’s easier to use Gmail on a desktop.
How to Delete Multiple Emails in Gmail (Desktop)
If you want to clean hundreds or thousands of emails at once, do it on a computer:
- Open Gmail.com and sign in
- Click the checkbox above your inbox to select all visible emails
- A message will appear: “Select all conversations in [folder]”—click it to select everything
- Click the Trash icon
- Go to Trash > click Empty Trash now to permanently delete them
Use filters to make the process more efficient:
- Search label:promotions, older_than:1y, or a specific sender
- Select all and delete
How to Delete Multiple Emails in Outlook (Web and App)
For Outlook.com users:
- Sign in at Outlook.com
- Go to your inbox or desired folder
- Click the checkboxes beside each email or use Select All
- Click Delete in the toolbar
- Go to the Deleted Items folder and click Empty Folder
In the Outlook desktop app:
- Hold the Ctrl key and click to select multiple emails
- Press the Delete key or right-click and choose Delete
Use Shift + Click to select a continuous range of emails.
How to Delete Multiple Emails in Yahoo Mail
Yahoo also makes it easy:
- Log in to Yahoo Mail
- Open your inbox or folder
- Click the checkbox to select all visible emails
- Click Delete
- For permanent removal, empty the Trash folder
You can also search for terms like older_than:1y or specific sender names and delete emails in bulk.
How to Delete All Emails from One Sender
To clean up emails from one person or company:
On Gmail Desktop:
- Type the sender’s email into the search bar (e.g., from:[email protected])
- Click the select checkbox
- Choose “Select all conversations” if available
- Click Trash
On Outlook or Yahoo:
- Use the search bar
- Select all matching results
- Click Delete
This is useful for clearing out newsletters, ads, or automated notifications.
How to Automatically Delete Old Emails
Some platforms allow auto-deletion using filters or settings.
In Gmail:
- Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses
- Click Create New Filter
- Use older_than:1y or sender info
- Choose Delete it as the action
In Outlook:
- Use Sweep to delete messages older than 10, 30, or 60 days from a sender automatically
This is perfect for maintaining inbox hygiene without manual work.
How to Delete Emails in Bulk Without Selecting One by One
If you have thousands of emails, selecting them individually is time-consuming. Here’s how to avoid that:
Gmail Desktop: Use the “Select all conversations” option after clicking the first checkbox
Outlook Web: Use filters and bulk selection options
Yahoo: Select all with the top checkbox and scroll to load more emails before clicking delete
No matter which platform you use, bulk selection tools can save hours of time.
How to Empty the Trash or Deleted Emails Folder
Deleted emails still take up space in your Trash or Deleted folder until they’re permanently erased.
To empty Trash:
Gmail:
- Go to Trash
- Click Empty Trash now
Outlook:
- Go to Deleted Items
- Click Empty Folder
iPhone Mail:
- Go to the Trash folder
- Tap Edit > Delete All
Do this regularly if you’re freeing up storage or decluttering for good.
FAQs About Deleting Multiple Emails
Can I delete all emails at once in Gmail?
Yes, use the desktop version. Click the top checkbox, then select all conversations, and delete.
Why don’t I see the “Select all conversations” option in Gmail?
It only appears after selecting the first 50 emails and when your search matches more than that.
How do I delete all emails on my iPhone quickly?
Use the built-in Mail app. Tap Edit, Select All, then Trash. Or swipe with two fingers to select a group of messages quickly.
Does deleting emails free up space?
Yes. Especially for emails with attachments. Also, clear the Trash or Deleted Items folder to recover the storage.
How do I delete emails without opening each one?
Most platforms allow bulk selection with checkboxes or gestures so you don’t need to open each message.