Want to get rid of a folder you have added to Yahoo Mail, but there is no command for deletion—or it is grayed out? Find out here how to delete custom folders in Yahoo Mail, what will happen to the messages in a deleted folder, and which folders you cannot delete.
First, a Cream Not for Your Face, Hands, Feet or Body
Like the device inspired by a ballpoint pen, the cream first brought to marked in 1888 was for under the armpits. With its ingredients including zinc oxide, the new concoction proved effective against bodily odors.
So, the first deodorant was born—and called “MUM,” for a nurse’s nickname, it seems. Either way, mum’s the perspiration.
Now, wondering how to mum a folder in Yahoo Mail without smearing cream on the display?
How to Delete Folders in Yahoo Mail
Using a Desktop Browser
Time needed: 1 minute
To use a desktop browser to delete a Yahoo Mail folder you have created:
- Move all messages so the folder you want to delete is empty.
Mandatory: You can delete only empty folders in Yahoo Mail.
Quick purge: Click the triangle next to the folder name and select Empty to move all messages to the Yahoo Mail trash.
Fast archive: You can also select Archive all emails from the same menu to move all emails to the standard Yahoo Mail archive folder instead.
Sub-folders, too: Yahoo Mail will also not delete folders that contain sub-folders; you can move these to the top level or to another folder or, of course, delete them before deleting the parent. - Click the triangle next to the folder name in the Yahoo mail folder list.
See folders: Click Show next to Folders if custom folders are hidden.
- Select Delete folder from the menu that has appeared.
No trash: The folder will disappear at once without confirmation, and it will not be moved to the Trash folder either.
In a Mobile Browser
To remove a folder using Yahoo Mail in a mobile browser:
- Open the folder you want to delete in Yahoo Mail mobile.
- Do move all messages to either the Trash, the Archive or any other folder.
Must be empty: You can only delete empty folders (no emails and no other folders in it) in Yahoo Mail mobile. - Tap the three dots menu in the top navigation bar.
- Select Delete from the menu that has appeared.
Using the Yahoo Mail App for iPhone
To delete a custom folder (and, optionally, the emails in it) using the Yahoo Mail app for iOS:
- Move all messages you want to keep to a different folder.
Quick archive: open the folder, then tap the “select all” button and use the Archive button to move emails to the Archive folder in bulk.
No deleting hierarchies: You cannot delete a folder that does contain sub-folders in Yahoo Mail for iOS; do delete the contained folder first. - Tap and hold the folder name in the Yahoo Mail folder list.
Folder list: Tap the folder button in the bottom toolbar to open the list of folders. - Select Delete from the menu that has appeared.
- If the folder did contain emails and you want to delete them as well: Tap OK for Delete and empty the __ folder.
Important: The folder and its contents will disappear immediately—not move to the Trash.
How to Delete a Folder in Yahoo Mail: FAQ
Without confirmation and trash as a safety net, how can I restore a Yahoo Mail folder?
Since you can only remove empty folders in Yahoo Mail, having them appear in the Trash would not be particularly useful.
To restore a Yahoo Mail folder you have deleted, undo the steps:
- Create a new Yahoo Mail folder in the same spot with the same name.
- Move all messages to it from Archive, Trash, or any other folder you moved them.
Can I delete any folder in Yahoo Mail?
No.
While you can delete any custom folder you have added to Yahoo Mail, you cannot remove system folders such as the inbox, trash, or the Archive folder.
(How to delete folders in Yahoo Mail tested with desktop and mobile browsers as well as the Yahoo Mail app for iPhone; updated April 2024)