Originally Posted by
robertk328 Here's the setting. To get to it you go to SETTINGS->Mail/contacts->gmail
Tap on your email address at the top and you will get an account detail page. At the bottom is "advanced" so tap that.

Robert, as far as I know "deleted" messages go to the "trash" folder in webmail.
You don't have to use the "archive" folder, you can use the trash as default.
I think there is a setting within the webmail where you can change that default behavior. If I remember well mine us set to "trash". All messages in "trash" will be deleted permanently after about 30 days.
I will check where my "done" emails go to and how long I can recover them.
I assumed they will be deleted after about a month but not sure about it after your complaint about the app.
Edit: quick check already convinced me you are right! Thanks for bringing this up!