This article explains how to set up your iPhone so that you can swipe to delete Gmail messages in the Mail or Gmail app.

How to Enable Swipe to Delete Gmail Emails in the Mail App

If you’re using Gmail in the Mail app, the option to delete emails with a swipe of your finger is hidden deep in your phone’s settings. Here’s how to get there to turn on this feature:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Apps.

3. Select Mail from the list.

4. Choose Mail Accounts.

5. Go to Gmail > Account Settings > Advanced.

6. Tap Deleted Mailbox from the section called Move discarded messages into.

   While you’re on this screen, confirm that Trash is selected at the top, next to Deleted Mailbox. This is what lets you swipe to delete Gmail messages instead of archive them.

7. Tap Back from the corner of the screen, and then choose Done to save.

How to Enable Swipe to Delete in the Gmail App

Do you use Gmail’s email app? Swipe to delete works there, too, but you need to enable it through the app itself. Here’s how that works:

1. Open Gmail and tap the three lines at the top left.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and tap Settings.

3. Tap Inbox customizations.

4. Choose Mail swipe actions.

5. Tap Right swipe or Left swipe.

6. Choose Trash from the list, and then tap Done.

How to Swipe to Delete Emails

When you’re viewing messages in the Mail or Gmail app, swipe from right to left (or the other way, if you chose that) on an email to immediately delete it. If you pause before fully swiping in the Mail app, you’ll see all your options; tap Trash to delete the message.