How to Find Archived Emails in Gmail? – iPhone & Android

Gmail allows users to archive emails instead of deleting them, providing a clutter-free inbox while still retaining important messages for future reference. However, many users struggle to find archived emails later. Unlike deleted emails, which go to the Trash folder, archived emails are stored in the All Mail folder, making them accessible when needed. This blog will help you locate archived emails in Gmail on iPhone and Android with simple and effective methods.

Since Gmail doesn’t have a specific “Archive” folder, many people aren’t sure where to find their archived emails. In this guide, you’ll discover where to locate your archived messages and how to back up your Gmail email using the DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool, along with its other features, simplifying the entire process.

What Happens When You Archive an Email in Gmail?

When you archive an email in Gmail, it disappears from your inbox but is not deleted. Instead, it is moved to the All Mail folder, where it remains accessible. You won’t see it in your primary inbox, but you can still search for it or browse through All Mail to find it. Once you’ve got an email, you can either:

• Mute it
• Delete it
• Archive it
• Or move it

How to Find Archived Emails in Gmail on iPhone & Android

Archived emails in Gmail are not deleted but simply moved out of your inbox to keep it clutter-free. If you need to find an archived email on your iPhone or Android device, Gmail provides easy ways to access them. Finding archived emails in Gmail on your iPhone or Android device is simple if you know where to look. Here’s how you can quickly access them using different methods.

How to Find Archived Mail in Gmail on Desktop App

If you’re using the Gmail desktop app, finding archived emails is just as easy. Since Gmail doesn’t have a separate “Archive” folder, archived emails are stored in the “All Mail” section.  You can locate them by searching for specific keywords, using filters, or manually browsing through All Mail. Here’s how to find archived emails in Gmail on your Desktop:

• Open Gmail.
• On the left-hand sidebar, scroll down and click “More” if necessary.
• Click on “All Mail.”
• It will show all emails, including archived ones (but not those in Spam or Trash).
• Use the search bar at the top to find specific archived emails.
• Example: If you remember a sender or keyword, type it in the search box.
• You can also use in:all to search within the entire mailbox.

Note: Archived emails do not have the “Inbox” label. If you find an email without this label, it is likely archived.

Using the Search Bar to Find Archived Emails in Gmail

The fastest way to find an archived email is by using the search bar in Gmail. Follow these steps to learn how to find archived emails in gmail: 

1. Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or Android device.
2. Tap on the search bar at the top.
3. Type in relevant keywords, the sender’s name, or any information from the email.
4. Press Search.
5. If the email was archived, it should appear in the search results.

Filtering Emails Without the ‘Inbox’ Label

Another way to locate archived emails is by applying a filter that excludes inbox messages:

1. Open Gmail and tap the search bar.
2. Type -in:inbox and press Search.
3. This will display emails that are not in your inbox, including archived emails.

Checking Labels to Find Archived Emails in Gmail

If you labeled the email before archiving it, you can find it through the label:

1. Open Gmail.
2. Tap the Menu icon.
3. Scroll down to the Labels section and select the relevant label.
4. Browse the emails under that label.

For the Users of Gmail on the Android App

If you’re using the Gmail Android app, follow these steps to access the “All Mail” folder and find archived emails. Here is how to find archive in gmail on the Android App

Steps to Access “All Mail” on Android:

1. Open the Gmail app on your Android device.
2. Tap the ☰ Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
3. Scroll down and select “All Mail.”
   • This will show all emails, including archived ones.

Finding Archived Emails Using Search:

Another way where to find archived emails in Gmail:

• Tap the Search bar at the top.
• Enter keywords, sender name, or subject.
• Use search operators like:
  • in:all → Search within all emails.
  • -in:inbox -in:sent -in:trash -in:spam → Find only archived emails.

Unarchiving an Email (Move Back to Inbox):

1. Open the archived email.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Move to Inbox.”

For the Users of Gmail on the iPhone

To find archived emails in the Gmail app on your iPhone, follow these steps:

How to Find Archived Emails in Gmail Using the “All Mail” Folder

1. Open the Gmail app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the ☰ menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
3. Scroll down and select “All Mail.”
   • This folder contains all emails, including archived ones.
   • Archived emails won’t have the “Inbox” label but will still appear here.

Alternative Methods to Preserve Your Important Emails

The DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool offers an excellent alternative solution to save your valuable emails from Gmail. This tool enables users to efficiently back up Gmail accounts and store emails in various formats to preserve important messages. With its range of features, including multiple backup formats, selective backup, cloud storage options, and secure data handling, it ensures that your Gmail data is preserved safely and can be accessed whenever needed. 

1. Complete Gmail Backup: Backs up all emails from Gmail, including Inbox, Sent, and archived items.
2. Multiple File Formats: Saves Gmail data in multiple formats like PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, and PDF.
3. Selective Backup: Allows you to filter and back up specific emails based on date, sender, or subject.
4. Scheduled Backup: Set automatic backup schedules to ensure your Gmail data is regularly saved.
5. Backup Gmail Contacts and Calendars: Option to back up Gmail contacts and calendar events along with emails.
6. User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-use interface with simple steps for Gmail email backup.
7. Secure Backup: Ensures the safety of your emails and prevents data loss.
8. No Gmail Storage Limitation: Overcomes Gmail storage limitations by creating backups of large accounts.
9. Compatible with All Windows Versions: Works seamlessly on all versions of Windows OS.

How to Backup Important Gmail Emails

• Install the DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool on your system and launch it.
• Enter your Gmail account credentials (email and app password) to sign in securely.
• Choose the specific Gmail data (emails, attachments, etc.) you want to back up.
• Pick your preferred file format (like PST, MBOX, or PDF) for saving the backup.
• Specify the destination folder on your system for the backup file.
• Click the Start button to begin the process and wait for the tool to complete.

How to Move an Archived Email Back to Inbox

Once you find the archived email, you may want to restore it to your inbox:

1. Open the archived email.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Move to Inbox.
4. The email will now appear in your inbox again.

If you want to Delete Archived Emails in Gmail

To delete archived emails in Gmail, you’ll need to access the All Mail folder, where archived emails are stored. Here’s how to find archived emails in gmail and delete them:

On Desktop (Web Browser)

1. Open Gmail (mail.google.com).
2. On the left sidebar, click “More” to expand the menu.
3. Click “All Mail.”
   • This shows all emails, including archived ones.
4. Select the archived emails you want to delete by clicking the checkboxes next to them.
5. Once selected, click the Trash icon at the top to delete the emails.

Note: If you want to delete all archived emails, click the checkbox at the top left to select all emails, then click “Select all conversations in All Mail” and press the Trash icon.

On Mobile (Gmail App)

1. Open the Gmail app on your phone.
2. Tap the ☰ menu icon in the top-left corner.
3. Scroll down and tap “All Mail.”
   • This will show all your emails, including archived ones.
4. Tap and hold on the email you want to delete.
5. Tap the Trash icon at the top-right to delete it.
6. You can also select multiple emails by tapping additional checkboxes, then tap the Trash icon to delete.

Emptying the Trash

• To permanently delete emails from Gmail:
  1. Click on the Trash folder in the left sidebar (desktop) or menu (mobile).
  2. Gmail automatically empties the Trash after 30 days, but you can also click “Empty Trash now” to manually delete it immediately.

Conclusion

By the end of this blog now you know how to find archived emails in gmail. Finding archived emails in Gmail on iPhone and Android is easy once you know where to look. Whether you use the search bar, the All Mail folder, or filters, you can quickly locate and restore archived emails. Keeping your inbox organized while retaining important messages has never been easier. 

With the help of the Gmail Backup Tool, you can efficiently manage your Gmail account and keep track of all your communications. Whether you’re using a mobile device or the web version, it is designed to make email management smooth and hassle-free. So, if you ever need to revisit an old conversation or document, your archived emails are just a few steps away!