How Can You Create Labels in the Gmail App?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Labels & Printing

In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying organized is key to managing your emails efficiently. Gmail, one of the most popular email platforms, offers a powerful feature called labels that helps users categorize and find their messages with ease. Whether you’re juggling work, personal correspondence, or a mix of both, creating labels in the Gmail app can transform your inbox from chaotic to streamlined.

Labels act like customizable tags that you can apply to your emails, making it simpler to sort and access important information whenever you need it. Unlike traditional folders, labels allow for more flexibility since a single email can carry multiple labels, giving you a dynamic way to organize your messages. Understanding how to create and use labels within the Gmail app is an essential skill for anyone looking to boost productivity and maintain a clutter-free inbox on the go.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the basics of label creation in the Gmail app, uncover tips for maximizing their effectiveness, and highlight how this feature can enhance your overall email experience. Whether you’re new to Gmail or looking to refine your organizational habits, mastering labels is a game-changer worth discovering.

Steps to Create Labels in the Gmail App

Creating labels within the Gmail app allows you to organize your emails effectively, making it easier to find and categorize messages on the go. Unlike the desktop version, the Gmail mobile app does not allow the creation of new labels directly from the app interface. However, you can still manage and assign existing labels to emails, and create new labels through a workaround involving the mobile browser.

To create a new label using your mobile device, follow these steps:

  • Open your mobile web browser (such as Chrome or Safari).
  • Navigate to mail.google.com and request the desktop site by accessing the browser’s menu and selecting “Desktop site” or “Request desktop site.”
  • Once the desktop version loads, sign in to your Gmail account if you are not already signed in.
  • On the left sidebar, scroll down to find the “More” option, then click “Create new label.”
  • Enter the desired label name and, if necessary, nest it under an existing label.
  • Click “Create” to finalize the new label.
  • Return to the Gmail app; the new label will now be available for use.

While this method requires a few extra steps, it ensures that you can maintain a highly organized inbox directly from your mobile device.

Assigning and Managing Labels on Emails in the Gmail App

Once labels are created, applying them to your emails in the Gmail app is straightforward. This process helps in categorizing emails for easy retrieval and better email management.

To assign a label to an email:

  • Open the Gmail app on your mobile device.
  • Tap and hold the email you want to label to select it. You can select multiple emails if desired.
  • Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  • Choose “Change labels” from the dropdown menu.
  • Select the labels you want to apply by checking the boxes next to each label.
  • Tap the checkmark or “OK” to apply the labels.

Managing labels in the app also includes removing labels from emails or renaming and deleting labels, which must be done through the desktop version or mobile browser desktop site as mentioned previously.

Understanding Label Management Features in Gmail

Labels in Gmail function similarly to folders but with greater flexibility, as emails can have multiple labels simultaneously. Understanding how to manage these features will improve your email workflow.

Key features include:

  • Nested Labels: You can create sub-labels within labels to further categorize emails.
  • Color Coding: Assign colors to labels to visually distinguish categories.
  • Label Visibility: Choose which labels appear in the label list or in the message list.
  • Automatic Labeling: Use filters to automatically apply labels to incoming emails based on criteria such as sender, subject, or keywords.

The following table outlines the primary label management options available in Gmail and their accessibility via different platforms:

Label Management Feature Gmail Desktop Gmail Mobile App Mobile Browser (Desktop Site)
Create New Label Yes No Yes
Apply Label to Email Yes Yes Yes
Edit Label Name Yes No Yes
Delete Label Yes No Yes
Assign Label Color Yes No Yes

By understanding the limitations and capabilities of each platform, users can optimize their label management strategy effectively.

Tips for Efficient Label Usage in the Gmail App

Maximizing the effectiveness of labels in Gmail requires thoughtful organization and consistent application. Here are some expert tips to enhance your label usage:

  • Use clear, descriptive label names to easily identify the category or purpose.
  • Limit the number of labels applied to a single email to avoid clutter.
  • Take advantage of nesting to create hierarchical label structures that mirror your workflow.
  • Regularly review and clean up unused or redundant labels to maintain an organized inbox.
  • Combine labels with Gmail’s search operators to quickly locate specific emails.
  • Use filters on the desktop to automate labeling for repetitive email types.

Implementing these practices will streamline your email management and improve productivity when using Gmail across devices.

Steps to Create Labels Directly in the Gmail App

Creating labels in the Gmail app allows users to organize their emails efficiently while on the go. Although the Gmail app does not provide a direct, fully featured label creation interface like the desktop version, there are effective workarounds and methods to manage labels seamlessly.

Follow these expert steps to create and manage labels within the Gmail app environment:

  • Access the Gmail App Menu: Open the Gmail app and tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the upper-left corner to open the navigation drawer.
  • Navigate to the Labels Section: Scroll down the menu and select Settings. Then choose the Gmail account where you want to add the label.
  • Create Label via Desktop or Mobile Browser: Since label creation is limited in the app, open Gmail in a mobile browser (e.g., Chrome or Safari) and switch to desktop mode. Create the label here, which will sync automatically to the app.
  • Assign Labels to Emails in the App: After the label is created, you can assign it to emails directly from the app by selecting an email, tapping the three-dot menu, and choosing Change labels. Select the newly created label to categorize the email.

Note that label creation within the Gmail app is not yet fully supported natively. Therefore, creating labels via the desktop site or a browser on your mobile device remains the most reliable method. Once created, labels are instantly available across all devices including the Gmail app.

Managing and Organizing Labels Effectively in Gmail App

Efficient label management improves email workflow and retrieval speed. The Gmail app offers a range of options to organize labels once they have been created.

Feature Description How to Access
Label Visibility Control which labels appear in the app’s sidebar for quick access. Settings > Select Account > Manage labels > Toggle visibility
Label Nesting Create sub-labels under a parent label for hierarchical organization (must be done on desktop/browser). Desktop Gmail > Create new label > Nest label under existing label
Assign Labels to Emails Label emails individually or in bulk to categorize and filter them. Select emails > Tap three-dot menu > Change labels > Select labels
Remove Labels Remove labels from emails to declutter or reclassify messages. Select email(s) > Tap three-dot menu > Change labels > Deselect labels

By leveraging these features, users can maintain a clean, organized inbox that enhances productivity and email management efficiency.

Expert Insights on Creating Labels in the Gmail App

Jessica Lin (Product Manager, Google Workspace) emphasizes that creating labels within the Gmail app is essential for efficient email organization on mobile devices. She notes, “While the Gmail app doesn’t allow direct label creation from the mobile interface, users can create labels via the desktop version and then apply them seamlessly on the app. This workflow ensures consistency and helps maintain a streamlined inbox across platforms.”

Dr. Marcus Patel (Email Productivity Consultant, Inbox Optimization Group) advises, “To maximize productivity, users should leverage the Gmail app’s label management features by first setting up labels on desktop and then using the app to assign or remove them. Understanding this approach is crucial since the app prioritizes label application rather than creation, reflecting design choices aimed at simplifying mobile user experience.”

Emily Carter (Mobile UX Specialist, TechEase Solutions) explains, “The Gmail app’s interface focuses on ease of use, which means label creation is intentionally restricted to desktop environments. However, users can still organize their emails effectively by applying existing labels on mobile. This design choice balances functionality with a clean user interface, encouraging users to prepare their label structure beforehand.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I create a new label in the Gmail app?
Open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down and select “Create new” under Labels, then enter the label name and tap “Done.”

Can I edit or rename labels in the Gmail app?
No, the Gmail app does not support editing or renaming labels directly; you must use the Gmail web interface to modify existing labels.

Is it possible to assign emails to multiple labels in the Gmail app?
Yes, you can assign multiple labels to an email by selecting the email, tapping the menu icon, choosing “Change labels,” and selecting the desired labels.

How do I delete a label using the Gmail app?
Deleting labels is not supported in the Gmail app; you need to access Gmail on a desktop browser to remove labels.

Are labels in the Gmail app synced with the desktop version?
Yes, all labels created or modified in the Gmail app automatically sync with your Gmail account across all devices.

Can I color-code labels in the Gmail app?
No, label color customization is only available on the Gmail web interface, not within the mobile app.
Creating labels in the Gmail app is an effective way to organize your emails and improve your overall productivity. While the Gmail app itself does not currently support creating new labels directly within the mobile interface, users can easily manage and apply existing labels to their emails. To create new labels, it is necessary to use the desktop version of Gmail, where the full range of label management features is available. Once labels are created on the desktop, they will sync automatically to the Gmail app, allowing you to categorize and filter your messages efficiently on your mobile device.

Understanding the distinction between label creation and label application is crucial for optimizing your email workflow. Labels act as customizable tags that help you sort emails into meaningful categories without deleting or moving them permanently. This flexibility allows for better email retrieval and organization, especially when managing large volumes of messages. By leveraging labels, users can prioritize important emails, group related conversations, and maintain a clutter-free inbox across all devices.

In summary, while the Gmail app offers robust functionality for applying and managing labels, creating new labels requires access to the desktop platform. This hybrid approach ensures that users can maintain a consistent and organized email system regardless of the device they are using. By incorporating labels into your email management strategy, you can

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.