How to Make Gmail Automatically Open the Next Message

This article explains how to make Gmail take you to the next message automatically. Instructions apply to the browser version of Gmail on any desktop.

How to Enable and Configure Auto-Advance in Gmail

Here's how to adjust Gmail settings to get Auto-Advance working exactly how you want it to.

1. Select the Settings gear from your Gmail Inbox.

2. Select See all settings.

3. Select the Advanced tab.

4. Next to Auto-advance, select Enable.

5. Select Save Changes. You're taken back to the Gmail inbox screen.

6. Select Settings > See all settings again. Then, under the General tab, scroll down to the Auto-advance heading.

   The Auto-advance section only appears under the General tab after you've enabled Auto-advance.

7. You have three options:

   • Go to the next (newer) conversation: When you delete or archive an email, you'll go to the next newest thread.
   • Go to the previous (older) conversation: Instead of the newer message appearing, you'll see the next earliest thread.
   • Go back to the threadlist: You'll return to the inbox. This is effectively the same as turning Auto-advance off.

8. Click the option you want, and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes.

9. Auto-advance is now on and ready to use.