Default Split Inbox

Split Inboxes are intentional sections at the top of your inbox that help you stay focused and organized. They help you prioritize important emails and batch process similar messages.

To help you reach Inbox Zero, the total number of conversations appear beside each Split. If you've reached Inbox Zero in a Split or if the total exceeds 999, the count will not be displayed.

To navigate between Splits on Desktop, hit Tab to move right and Shift+Tab to move left. On Mobile, simply tap the Split name at the bottom of the screen.

Enable Split Inboxes

Superhuman Mail provides a variety of default Splits so you can easily create priority in your inbox.

Desktop

To view a list of default Splits:

1. Hit Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) → Split Inbox Library.
2. Select the Split you would like to add to your inbox. 
3. Select Turn on Split Inbox.  

Mobile

To see a list of default Splits on Mobile: 

1. Pull down from the top of the inbox for Superhuman Command, then swipe right — like you're making an "L." 
2. Type Split Inbox Library. 
3. Under General, tap the Split you would like to add to your inbox. 
4. Tap Turn On. 

Once you've enabled a Split, messages meeting that criteria will automatically sort into that Split.

💡 Tip: Learn more about the Split Inbox Library here. 

Edit Split Inboxes

You can quickly make edits, reorder, or disable any of the default Splits. 

Desktop

To edit or disable a Split:

1. Click Settings → Split Inbox. 
2. Click ⚙️ next to a Split to modify it's contents or select Turn off Split Inbox. 

When a Split is turned off, conversations from that Split will move back to Important or Other. 

To reorder your Splits, click and drag the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines). 

Mobile

To edit or disable a Split:

1. Pull down from the top of the inbox for Superhuman Command, then swipe right — like you're making an "L." 
2. Type Split Inbox Settings.
3. Select the account where you want to edit or disable the Split.
4. Tap the Split you want to edit.
   • Tap the red minus sign to remove a definition. 
   • Tap Add Email or Domain to add another definition. 
   • Tap Turn off Split Inbox to disable the Split. 

Conversations from a disabled Split will return to Important or Other.

To reorder your Splits, tap Edit in the top right corner, then tap and drag the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines). 

Add to a Split Inbox

You can add messages from certain email addresses, domains, or containing certain subject lines to a Split Inbox.

Desktop

1. Select the conversation you would like to add to a Split.
2. Hit Cmd+K or Ctrl+K → Add to Split Inbox.
3. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select your definition, then hit Enter.
4. Select the target Split and hit Enter.

Mobile

1. Tap the conversation you would like to add to a Split.
2. Pull down from the top of the inbox then type Add to Split.
3. Tap to select the criteria you'd like to add.
4. Tap to select the target Split.

💡 Tip: To see conversations in both their Split and the Important - Other Split, click Settings → Split Inbox. Click ⚙️ next to the Split, then check the box beside Also show conversations that match this Split Inbox in Important or Other.

Common Default Splits

Below are the most commonly used Split Inboxes in our library.

• Important • Other — Important contains all person-to-person and high-priority messages, while Other contains emails sent to mailing lists, and automated messages such as marketing, social, networks, and automatic updates. This setup minimizes distractions and helps you focus on key messages first. If messages are miscategorized in these Splits, learn how to move them between Important and Other. 
• Shared – Includes all conversations shared using Cmd+K or Ctrl+K → Share Conversation or Comment, helping you collaborate more efficiently within your team.
• Team — Contains all conversations with people who share your domain, making it easier to stay responsive as a manager or teammate. You can choose whether Team emails should also appear in the Important Split.
• VIP — Captures all conversations involving people you classify as VIPs, ensuring you never miss their messages. VIP emails also appear in the Important Split by default, unless you disable this option.
• News — Contains newsletters you’ve added to stay informed and up to date.
• Calendar — Includes emails from notifications@calendly.com, calendar-notification@google.com, and emails with calendar invite files (.ICS files) so you can easily manage all your calendar updates in one place.

Custom Splits 

Learn how to customize your own Splits here.

FAQs

How many Splits can I have? 

Though there isn't a limit to how many Splits you can enable, we recommend no more than seven for optimal productivity. Having more than that can slow you down as it creates more places to check. 

Are Splits like folders? 

No. Splits should contain emails that still require action. Folders, on the other hand, are best for storing messages you’ve already actioned.

Can my Splits reflect the unread count instead of the total count? 

There isn't a way to change the total count to show unread only, however, you can filter unread conversations by hitting Cmd+K or Ctrl+K → Filter Conversations.