To enable Gmail’s category tabs, set your inbox type to Default. To put unread messages above the rest, choose Unread first instead. These are different inbox layouts, so switching to Unread first replaces the tabbed layout rather than keeping the tabs visible. The steps below cover Gmail on a computer, Android, and iPhone or iPad.
Enable category tabs in Gmail on a computer
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Open Gmail and click Settings.
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Under Inbox type, select Default. Gmail’s Default inbox organizes messages into category tabs. Google’s instructions for changing your Gmail inbox layout list this option.
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To choose which categories appear, click See all settings, open the Inbox tab, and check the categories you want. Save your changes at the bottom of the page. Google’s category settings instructions explain the available controls.
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You can also choose an inbox type from the Quick settings sidebar.
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Enable tabs in the Gmail app
Android
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Open Gmail and tap Menu → Settings.
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If prompted, select the account you want to change.
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Under Inbox, tap Inbox type, then choose Default inbox.
iPhone and iPad
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Open Gmail and tap Menu → Settings.
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Under Inbox, tap Inbox type and choose Default Inbox.
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To manage individual categories, return to Settings and tap Inbox customisations → Inbox categories. Turn categories on or off as needed.
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Google’s mobile inbox layout instructions and category instructions cover these app controls.
Show unread emails first
Computer
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In Gmail, click Settings.
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Under Inbox type, choose Unread first. You can make the same selection in Quick settings.
Unread messages then appear in a section above Everything else, according to Google’s inbox layout instructions.
Android, iPhone, and iPad
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Open Gmail and tap Menu → Settings.
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Select the account if Gmail asks, then tap Inbox type.
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Choose Unread first.
The app separates unread messages from the rest of the inbox. Section labels can vary slightly by platform; see Google’s mobile inbox layout instructions.
Choose the inbox layout that fits your workflow
| Inbox type | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Default | Sorts mail into category tabs: Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, and Forums. | You want Gmail to group different kinds of messages automatically. |
| Unread first | Shows unread messages in a section above the rest. | You want unread mail to be the first thing you see. |
| Important first or Starred first | Prioritizes important or starred messages. | You organize your attention around Gmail’s importance markers or your stars. |
| Priority Inbox | Offers configurable sections. | You want a more tailored arrangement of message groups. |
| Multiple Inboxes | Adds sections based on search criteria or labels; available on a computer. | You want custom sections for specific searches or labels. |
Google describes these alternatives in its inbox layout documentation and Multiple Inboxes instructions. To switch between category tabs and unread-first organization, change the Inbox type setting.
What Gmail’s category tabs contain
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Primary: messages from people you know and messages that do not fit the other tabs.
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Social: messages from social networks and media-sharing sites.
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Promotions: deals, offers, and promotional mail.
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Updates: automated confirmations, notifications, statements, and reminders.
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Forums: messages from online groups, discussion boards, and mailing lists.
These are Gmail’s current category options; you cannot create custom categories. If a message appears in the wrong tab, move it to the correct category. Google says this helps Gmail learn your preferences over time. See Google’s category guide.
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Check the inbox type. Tabs are part of the Default layout, not Unread first. Go to Settings → Inbox type and select Default.
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Check category selections. On a computer, open See all settings → Inbox and confirm the desired categories are checked. On iPhone or iPad, look under Settings → Inbox customisations → Inbox categories.
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Consider the account’s message volume. Google’s iOS category instructions say category tabs cannot be enabled when the inbox contains more than 250,000 emails. This stated limit is specific to the iOS help instructions; Google’s cited computer and Android instructions do not establish the same limit for those platforms.
Google’s steps and menu labels are documented in its inbox layout help and category help.
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