How to Set Up "OR" Filters in Yahoo Mail

Filter messages that meet one of multiple criteria in Yahoo Mail

Yahoo filters screenshot

Lifewire 

by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated June 01, 2019

By default, filters in Yahoo Mail are "and" filters, which means that they combine all specified criteria when filtering incoming messages. If you prefer to send messages that meet just one of several criteria to a specified folder, then you can set up "or" filters in Yahoo Mail using a workaround.

Instructions in this article apply to the standard web version of Yahoo Mail. It is also possible to edit filters in the Yahoo Mail app for Android via the Settings menu.

Yahoo Mail "AND" Filters vs. "OR" Filters

In Yahoo Mail, it's possible to set up filters that route incoming mail to designated folders. While you can set up a single filter for messages that are from a certain sender and have a specific subject, you can't make a filter for messages that are from a certain sender or have a specific subject.

Nonetheless, you effectively create "or" filters by combing two regular filters. For example, you can set up a filter for a certain sender, make another filter for a specific subject, then instruct both filters to move messages to the same folder. That way, all messages with the specified sender or subject (or both) will show up in the target folder automatically.

How to Create an "or" Mail Rule Using Two Filters

To make an "or" filter in Yahoo Mail using the workaround:

  1. Select the Gear icon at the top of the Yahoo Mail window.

    Select the Gear icon at the top of the Yahoo Mail window.

  2. Select More Settings from the menu that appears.

    Select More Settings from the menu that appears.

  3. Select Filters in the left sidebar.

    Select Filters in the left sidebar.

  4. Select Add new filters.

    Select Add new filters.

  5. Fill out the form that appears using the drop-down menus to specify the first criterion for your filter.

    Fill out the form that appears using the drop-down menus to specify the first criterion for your filter.

  6. Specify the folder you want to move the message to whenever the filter is applied.

    Specify the folder you want to move the message to whenever the filter is applied.

  7. Select Save.

    Select Save.

  8. Repeat the steps above to make a second filter using the second criterion. Direct the second filter to the same folder as the first filter, then save it.

You can keep adding single-criterion filters for as many "or" conditions as you need.