Charles Esther
Swiping on an email in the Gmail app can do more than just archive messages.
By default, both left and right swipes archive the email, which is helpful but limited.
You can customize these swipe gestures to perform other actions like deleting, marking as read, snoozing, or moving emails.
Changing these gestures lets you tailor your inbox management to your personal workflow.
This simple adjustment turns basic swipes into powerful shortcuts that save time and effort.
Right Swipe Action on Gmail
The right swipe in Gmail is set to archive emails by default.
Archiving removes emails from your inbox but keeps them accessible in your archive folder.
You can change this action to delete emails immediately if you prefer quick cleanup.
Alternatively, set the right swipe to mark messages as read without opening them.
Snoozing emails or moving them to folders are other customizable options for this gesture.
Left Swipe Action on Gmail
Like the right swipe, the left swipe also archives emails by default.
Changing the left swipe lets you assign a different function to streamline your workflow.
You might choose to delete less important messages with a quick left swipe.
Or set it to snooze emails you want to address later without losing sight of them.
Using the left swipe to move emails into specific folders helps keep your inbox organized.
How to Customize Your Swipe Actions in Gmail
Customizing swipe gestures in Gmail is quick and simple.
Open the Gmail app on your phone to start the process.
Tap the menu icon, which looks like three horizontal lines in the top-left corner.
Scroll down and select “Settings” from the menu.
Tap on “General settings” to find more options.
Look for “Swipe actions” and tap on it.
Choose either “Right swipe” or “Left swipe” depending on the one you want to change.
Select your preferred action from options like Archive, Delete, Mark as read/unread, Move to, Snooze, or None.
The changes apply immediately, so you can test your new gestures right away.
Swipe Setup Ideas to Maximize Your Productivity
If you like keeping your inbox tidy, try setting one swipe to Archive and the other to Mark as read.
This lets you quickly handle low-priority emails without opening each one.
For emails you want to address later, set one swipe to Snooze.
Snoozing hides the email temporarily and brings it back when you’re ready.
Pair Snooze with Move to on the other swipe if you organize emails into folders.
This setup helps maintain an organized and manageable inbox with minimal effort.
Why This Saves So Much Time
Customizing swipe gestures may seem minor but saves significant time over the long term.
Think about how often you check and process emails each day.
Cutting seconds off each action adds up to minutes and even hours saved monthly.
The best part is how naturally the gestures fit your existing phone usage.
There’s no extra learning or steps—just efficient, intuitive control of your inbox.
Because you choose what each swipe does, Gmail adapts to your workflow instead of the other way around.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Gmail with Swipe Gestures
Swipe gestures in Gmail offer more power than many users realize.
By customizing left and right swipes, you can tailor email management to suit your habits.
This small change makes inbox cleanup faster, easier, and less frustrating.
With just a few taps, your Gmail experience becomes more efficient and personalized.
Give your fingers a break and let Gmail’s swipe gestures work smarter for you.
