How to Stop Gmail from Combining Emails

Stop Email Grouping in Gmail

Wish Gmail would not throw together emails in threads that are unwieldy and difficult to handle? Find out here how to turn off conversation view and stop Gmail from combining emails on the desktop and in the Gmail app for Android and iPhone.

First, Lemmings Jump

Lemmings jump one into vast waters after the other to, of course, end their misery in crowded quarters with an escape to new shores. Lemmings, a bit to spite their reputation, can run appreciably fast and swim comfortably well.

Now, do emails in your Gmail tend to come in groups, too, like the proverbial lemmings? Does that make you want to jump off a cliff like the proverbial lemming?

You can turn it off:

How to Stop Gmail from Combining Emails (Turn Off Conversation View)

Time needed: 3 minutes

To use Gmail without emails grouped in conversation view using a desktop browser:

  1. Click the Settings gear icon in Gmail (Gmail Settings Gear).

  2. Uncheck Conversation view under EMAIL THREADING.

    Uncheck "Converation view" to turn off conversation view in Gmail

  3. Click Reload.

    Reload Gmail without threading

To turn off conversation view in full Gmail settings:

  1. Click the Settings gear icon.
  2. Select See all settings.
  3. Go to the General tab.
  4. Under Conversation View:, choose Conversation view off.
    Turn on conversations: Select Conversation view on to enable threading.
    Forwarding without conversations: With conversation view disabled, you cannot easily print or forward entire email threads.
  5. Click Save Changes at the settings page’s bottom.

How to Turn Off Conversation View in the Gmail App

To stop Gmail from grouping emails in the Gmail app using iOS on iPhone and iPad or Android:

  1. Tap the hamburger menu icon () in the Gmail app.
  2. Select Settings from the menu that has shown.
  3. Go to Inbox customizations.
  4. Turn off Conversation view.

How to Stop Gmail from Combining Emails (Turn Off Conversation View): FAQ

Can I reverse the order in Gmail conversation view?

While you cannot reverse the order emails are displayed in conversations using Gmail alone, a browser add-on for Google Chrome and Firefox will handily do this for you.

To reverse Gmail conversations and see the most recent message in each thread on top:

  1. Google Chrome: install Gmail reverse conversation.
    Here’s how: Click Add to Chrome followed by Add extension.
    Firefox: install Gmail reverse conversation.
    Here’s how: Click Add to Firefox followed by Add.
  2. Make sure conversation view is enabled in Gmail.
  3. Open and use Gmail as usual in your browser.

Will disabling conversations in Gmail on the desktop also stop the Gmail app from combining emails?

Yes.

Gmail will synchronize the settings for each account and disable threading automatically in the app as well.

With conversation view disabled, will anything change how emails are stored or served to email programs?

No.

Neither choice will change how emails are saved in Gmail or how they appear in email programs connecting to Gmail via IMAP.

(How to stop email grouping in Gmail tested in a desktop browser and the Gmail app for iOS 6.0; updated December 2023)

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