Some of the folders in my Gmail account disappeared. The Spam folder was one of the folders that were gone. I could still click the More link to access it, but this was annoying. I wanted my Spam folder back. I located a setting where you can control which folders are displayed on the left menu of Gmail. I suppose this is a good setting for reducing clutter if you’re a person who likes to use a lot of email labels. Here’s how to show or hide folders.
- Login to Gmail.
- If your entire list of folders is hidden on the left, ensure it is set to show by selecting the “Menu” at the upper-left corner of the screen.
Also be sure that arrows are expanded in the left pane so you can see all folders.
- In the upper-right corner, click the gear and select “Settings“.
- Select the “Labels” tab.
- Select the “Show” or “Hide” link next to the folder you wish to show or hide. If you are using a third party application like Outlook to read your Gmail, you can select the “Show in IMAP” box for it to show up there.
There is also an option if you mouse over the label in the left pane. You’ll see three dots appear you can select and choose to show or hide in label list or in message list.
FAQ
Is there a way to have everything expanded by default on the left beyond the “More” link?
At this time, there does not appear to be a way to automatically have the “More” link expanded where absolutely everything is available to see when you first load Gmail.
Seppe says
I have several labels with a lot of emails and these do not seem to unhide. I can only see them if I expand the More option. Really annoying as I always have to open all my folders instead of having them in the list. I have tried all the hide/unhide options; in label list, in message list in both…I have the impression it has to do with the amount of emails attached to the label as for the smaller labels this did work. Solutions anyone…? Thanks
KW says
Very helpful. I sat here for 15 minutes, trying to click on everything imaginable so that I could see my folders. This was perfect.
waitwhat says
For 25 years now, the likes of hotmail, yahoo, and gmail evidently have the following strategy: Change something that people like for no reason at all at least once every six months.
Log in is on the left, let’s move it to the right. Hey, instead of words, let’s use pictographs. Hey, let’s move the log in back to the left now. Let’s make folders disappear and then reappear without telling anyone we’re doing it. Let’s track people’s habits, make what we do invisible, sell their info for profit, then put cute drawings on our search page.
Maria Cullen says
Thank you so much. What a job I had to find you, a simple and easy solution. Appreciate it.
Maria
David says
Same issue as others….really annoying and time waster that we can no longer expand to see all the labels…
having to click MORE is a very unhelpful ‘new feature’
gustavo says
Thanks! Worked like a charm!
Mike says
I am having the same issue since having the new version of Gmail automatically installed. I have to click MORE to show all my labels. After clicking MORE the labels I need are after the System labels. I’ve tried dragging them, but that doesn’t work either. I’ve set them all to SHOW, but that doesn’t work either. This is driving me completely crazy. Google’s response is basically check the forum. If anyone finds a solution, please post it!
Karen Verdier says
THANK YOU! This new version is simply annoying! Too many features to review and shut off. Your simple explanation will not only help me, but others!
Linda says
Since the new version of Gmail, after a certain amount of labels, I have to click on MORE to
see the rest. In the old version, the MORE was at the bottom of my labels so never bothered
me. I know it is only one click, but is driving me crazy. I have tried everything to shift it to bottom like it used to be, but nothing helps.