Gmail groups replies to the same email into a single thread, called Conversation view. It keeps your inbox tidy, but it can also hide individual messages, make it hard to see who said what, and cause confusion when a subject line is reused. If you prefer every email to appear on its own, you can turn Conversation view off on the web, Android, and iPhone. This guide covers each one, what changes afterward, and how to fix common surprises.
Quick Answer
On a computer, open Gmail, click the Settings gear, and uncheck Conversation view under Email threading. Gmail reloads with each message listed separately. On the Gmail app, open Settings, tap your account (on Android), and turn off Conversation view. Each device and account has its own setting.
Conversation View On vs. Off
| On (default) | Off | |
|---|---|---|
| Inbox | One line per thread, with a message count | One line per email |
| Your sent replies | Shown inside the thread | Only in the Sent folder |
| Opening an email | Shows the whole back-and-forth | Shows just that message |
| Archiving or deleting | Acts on the whole thread | Acts on the single message |
| Best for | Following discussions | Handling each message separately, shared inboxes, support work |
Turn Off Conversation View on a Computer
Option 1: Quick Settings
- Go to Gmail in a web browser and sign in.
- Click the Settings gear in the top-right corner.
- Scroll to Email threading at the bottom of the Quick settings panel.
- Uncheck Conversation view.
- If Gmail asks you to confirm and reload, click Reload.
Option 2: Full Settings
- Click the Settings gear and then See all settings.
- On the General tab, scroll to Conversation view.
- Select Conversation view off.
- Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes.
This setting applies to Gmail on the web for that account. If you use multiple Gmail accounts, change it in each one.
Turn Off Conversation View on Android
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left.
- Scroll down and tap Settings.
- Tap the email account you want to change.
- Uncheck Conversation view.
On Android, the option is per account, so repeat it for each account you have added.
Turn Off Conversation View on iPhone and iPad
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines).
- Tap Settings.
- Find Conversation view (depending on the app version, it may be on the main Settings screen or under your account or inbox settings) and turn it off.
Using the Apple Mail app instead? Its equivalent is different: go to Settings > Apps > Mail (or Settings > Mail on older iOS) and turn off Organize by Thread.
What Happens After You Turn It Off
- Every email appears separately, sorted by date. Busy threads will now take up many lines.
- Your replies are not shown in the inbox. Find them in the Sent folder.
- Actions apply to single messages. Archiving, deleting, labeling, or marking as read affects only the email you selected.
- Nothing is deleted or changed. Turning Conversation view back on regroups everything.
With Conversation view on, archiving or deleting affects the entire thread, including messages you might not have read. If you ever lost track of an email that way, turning Conversation view off prevents it.
Tips for Working Without Conversation View
- Find related messages: search for the subject line, or use subject:"project update" in the search bar.
- Show messages from one person: search from:name or to:name.
- Keep your inbox manageable: use Compact density in Quick settings and consider filters or labels for frequent senders.
- Prefer threads but want separate replies? Gmail does not offer a middle setting. Changing the subject line when you reply usually starts a new conversation.
Need to clear out a lot of mail at once? See how to delete Gmail emails in bulk.
Troubleshooting
I turned it off, but my phone still shows threads
The web setting does not sync to the mobile apps. Change it in the app too.
I do not see the Conversation view option
Update the Gmail app. On a work or school account, the option should still be available, but Quick settings may look slightly different. Use See all settings > General instead.
Emails with different subjects are still grouped
This happens only with Conversation view on. Gmail groups replies using the subject and message headers. Turning Conversation view off separates them.
My inbox count changed
With Conversation view off, Gmail counts individual unread messages instead of unread threads, so the number may go up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Conversation view delete any emails?
No. It only changes how messages are displayed.
Can I turn off Conversation view for just one thread?
No. It is an account-wide display setting for each device or app.
Does this affect other people?
No. It changes only your view. Recipients see emails according to their own settings.
How do I turn Conversation view back on?
Repeat the same steps and check Conversation view again, or select Conversation view on in full settings and save.
Summary
- Web: Settings gear > uncheck Conversation view under Email threading.
- Android: Menu > Settings > your account > uncheck Conversation view.
- iPhone and iPad: Menu > Settings > turn off Conversation view.
- Change it separately on each device and each account.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.