Gmail is one of the most widely used email services globally, and it offers users several features to help them manage their inboxes. One such feature is automatic email deletion, which allows you to set rules that delete emails after a specific period. While Gmail offers a few pre-set options, there isn’t an option to delete sent emails automatically. However, you can employ a few methods to achieve this. This blog will look at some of the ways you can automatically delete sent emails in Gmail.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To automatically delete sent emails in Gmail, you need a Gmail account and an internet connection. You may also need to enable certain settings or use extensions, depending on the method you choose.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before proceeding with any of the methods discussed below, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to test your settings before implementing them to avoid losing any important emails.
- Some methods require the use of third-party extensions, which could pose security and privacy risks. Ensure you use reputable extensions from trusted sources.
- Once you set up automatic email deletion, you cannot retrieve the deleted emails.
Method 1: Use Filters to Delete Sent Emails
To set up automatic email deletion using filters, follow these steps:
1. Open Gmail and log in to your account.
2. Click the "Settings" icon in the top right corner, then select "See all settings."
3. Click on the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab.
4. Select "Create a new filter."
5. In the "From" field, enter your email address.
6. Click "Create filter."
7. On the next screen, check the box next to "Delete it."
8. Click "Create filter."
Pros:
- Free and doesn’t require third-party tools.
- Easy to set up and use.
- You can also set filters to delete emails from specific senders.
Cons:
- You need to create a separate filter for each email address you want to delete emails from.
- Doesn’t work with emails that were already sent before creating the filter.
- You cannot retrieve deleted emails.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Extension
If you’re looking for an easier way to delete sent emails, you can use a third-party extension like "Auto Delete Sent Mail for Gmail" for Google Chrome. Here’s how:
1. Open Google Chrome and install the "Auto Delete Sent Mail for Gmail" extension.
2. Log in to your Gmail account.
3. Once installed, click the three dots in the top right corner of your browser.
4. Select "Settings" and then "Extensions."
5. Find "Auto Delete Sent Mail for Gmail" and click "Options."
6. Set the time period you want sent emails to be deleted automatically.
7. Click "Save."
Pros:
- Easy to use and set up.
- Can delete emails from all senders automatically.
- You can choose the time period for automatic deletion.
Cons:
- Requires the use of a third-party extension, which could pose security and privacy risks.
- You don’t have full control of the extension’s settings and features, which could limit your options.
- The extension could become outdated, causing it to malfunction.
Method 3: Use Google Apps Script
For a more customized approach to automatic email deletion, you can use Google Apps Script, which is a scripting language based on JavaScript. Here’s how to use it to delete sent emails:
1. Open Gmail and log in to your account.
2. Click the "Settings" icon and select "See all settings."
3. Click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab and ensure IMAP is enabled.
4. Click "Save Changes."
5. Open Google Sheets and create a new sheet.
6. Rename the sheet "Gmail."
7. Click on "Tools" and select "Script editor."
8. Select "Blank Project" and then copy the following script into the editor:
function deleteSentEmails() {
var threads = GmailApp.search("is:sent");
for (var i = 0; i < threads.length; i++) {
GmailApp.moveThreadToTrash(threads[i]);
}
}
9. Save the script by clicking "File" and then "Save."
10. Click "Run" and select "deleteSentEmails."
Pros:
- Offers a more customized approach to automatic email deletion.
- You have complete control over the script’s settings and features.
- Doesn’t require the use of third-party extensions.
Cons:
- Requires knowledge of Google Apps Script, which can be time-consuming to learn.
- Any script errors could cause loss of important emails.
- Changes to Gmail’s code could break the script and lead to malfunction.
Why Can’t I Automatically Delete Sent Emails in Gmail?
1. Gmail doesn’t offer a pre-set option to delete sent emails automatically.
2. Deleting sent emails could cause loss of important information, which Gmail wants to avoid.
3. Gmail developers have likely deemed this feature unnecessary or low priority compared to other features.
Fixes:
While Gmail doesn’t offer a native solution to automatically delete sent emails, you can use any of the methods described above to achieve the same results.
Suggestions
Whichever method you choose to set up automatic email deletion, we recommend testing the settings on a few emails before implementing them on a large scale. Additionally, create a system to back up any important emails, just in case there’s a mistake during the configuration process.
5 FAQs About Automatically Deleting Sent Emails in Gmail
Q: Will the methods above also delete emails in the Trash and Spam folders?
A: No, the methods only apply to sent emails in your inbox. Emails in the Trash and Spam folders will still need to be deleted manually.
Q: Can I retrieve deleted sent emails?
A: No, once deleted, sent emails cannot be retrieved.
Q: Can I delete sent emails from specific time periods?
A: Yes, you can set the time frame for automatic email deletion in some of the methods above.
Q: Do I need programming skills to use the Google Apps Script method?
A: Yes, some knowledge of scripting languages like JavaScript is necessary to use Google Apps Script.
Q: Is it safe to use third-party extensions?
A: It’s best to use reputable extensions from trusted sources to minimize the risk of security and privacy threats.
Conclusion
Automatic email deletion can help streamline your inbox and free up space for new emails. While Gmail doesn’t offer a pre-set solution to delete sent emails, you can use any of the methods discussed above to achieve the same results. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Remember to test your settings before implementing them and create a backup system for important emails. Finally, keep in mind that once you delete sent emails, you cannot retrieve them.