By default, Gmail splits your inbox into tabs such as Primary, Promotions and Social. That keeps newsletters out of the way, but it also means real emails sometimes hide in a tab you never open. If you'd rather see everything in one list, you can turn the tabs off, or keep just the ones you want. This guide shows both ways in Gmail on the web, with real screenshots.
Quick answer
Click the Settings gear > See all settings > Inbox tab. Under Categories, uncheck Promotions, Social, Updates and Forums, then click Save Changes. With only Primary left, Gmail goes back to a single inbox.
Gmail inbox tabs at a glance
| Tab (category) | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Primary | Emails from people you know and anything that doesn’t fit another tab. It can’t be turned off. |
| Promotions | Deals, offers and other marketing email |
| Social | Messages from social networks and media-sharing sites |
| Updates | Automated confirmations, notifications, statements and reminders |
| Forums | Online groups, discussion boards and mailing lists |
| Where to change it | Settings gear > See all settings > Inbox > Categories, or Quick settings > Inbox type |
| Applies to | Gmail on the web; the Gmail mobile apps have their own inbox settings |
Method 1: uncheck the categories (keeps the Default inbox)
- Open Gmail on your computer and click the Settings gear at the top right.
- Click See all settings at the top of the Quick settings panel. (The Inbox type list further down that panel is Method 2 below.)
- Click the Inbox tab along the top of the Settings page.
- Look at Categories. Every checked box (other than Primary) shows up as a tab in your inbox. Gmail even says it under the list: “Deselect all categories to go back to your old inbox.”
- Uncheck every category you don't want as a tab. To get rid of tabs completely, uncheck Promotions, Social, Updates and Forums so only Primary (greyed out) is left.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page. Gmail reloads with one inbox, and mail that used to sit in those tabs now shows up there too.
Tip: want to hide only one tab? Uncheck just that category. For example, uncheck Social and keep Promotions, and social network mail goes back into Primary.
Method 2: switch to a different inbox type
Google's own advice is that changing your inbox type also turns categories off, because tabs only exist in the Default inbox type.
- Click the Settings gear.
- Under Inbox type, pick Important first, Unread first, Starred first, Priority Inbox or Multiple Inboxes. The inbox changes straight away.
- To bring the tabs back later, choose Default again.
Use Method 1 if you like the classic newest-first list; use Method 2 if you also want unread or important mail pinned to the top.
Turning tabs back on
Go to See all settings > Inbox, make sure Inbox type is Default, tick the categories you want as tabs, and click Save Changes.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off tabs delete any emails?
No. Nothing is deleted or archived. Emails that were in Promotions, Social, Updates or Forums simply appear in your main inbox.
Can I still find promotional emails after turning the tabs off?
Yes. Gmail still sorts mail behind the scenes, so you can search for it. Type category:promotions (or category:social, category:updates) in the search bar.
Why don't I see the Categories option?
Categories only appear with the Default inbox type, and they're part of Gmail's smart features, so check that Smart features is turned on in the General tab. Google also says the Default inbox type isn't available if your inbox holds more than 250,000 emails.
Can I create my own tab?
No. You can only choose from the five built-in categories. Use labels or Multiple Inboxes if you need your own groups.
Does this change the Gmail app on my phone?
Not necessarily. The Gmail apps for Android and iPhone keep their own inbox settings for each account, so if the tabs still show on your phone, change it in the app's settings too.
Sources
- Gmail Help: Organize your emails into categories — what each category holds, choosing categories, and turning them off by changing the inbox type.
- Gmail Help: Smart features and controls — inbox categories as a smart feature.
- Screenshots captured November 14, 2026 in Gmail on the web, cropped to remove account and mailbox details. No settings were saved while capturing them.
Last checked November 14, 2026.
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