gmailscreenies
As noted by Google, the company's native Gmail app for iOS has returned to the App Store. The app debuted two weeks ago, but was quickly pulled after a bug breaking notifications was discovered as soon as users began installing the app.

Two weeks ago, we introduced our Gmail app for iOS. Unfortunately it contained a bug which broke notifications and displayed an error message, so we removed it from the App Store. We’ve fixed the bug and notifications are now working, and the app is back in the App Store.

Google notes that in addition to the notification bug fix, the company has also improved the handling of image HTML messages and has promised to continue "iterating rapidly" to bring new features to the app.

Top Rated Comments

alangrehan Avatar
185 months ago
It's up on the UK store... Just checked for updates and it's there...

Works too! :p

I take it back... It's getting deleted!

when you get an email. You hear tri-tone... but no on screen notification... Nothing in notification centre... only thing that happens is you badge icon changes (in my case from 5 to 6). Not entirely obvious what the notification is for when I've got a few apps that us tritone as a notification - Whatsapp to be specific.

What a crock. Native mail app it is!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
r2shyyou Avatar
185 months ago
Can anyone explain to me why I should use this instead of the native Mail app? Is there any features this app has over the Mail app that is better? Just trying to get some ideas on if or why I should use this when the Mail app seems very sufficient.

Thanks.

I've now downloaded this app twice; once when it was initially released and once just a few moments ago. I've also now deleted this app twice.

The only thing I want that this app has that the native Mail.app doesn't have is the ability to show labels on emails in the Inbox. I have somewhere around 150 filters set up, some to label and archive mail instantly and some to just label mail but not archive it.

When mail comes in, it isn't always from the same email address or from the same "@whatever.whatever" suffix so I don't know if it's been properly labeled (yeah, I'm a bit OCD about labeling and organizing my email).

With this (cr)app, I can see the labels but with the native Mail.app I can't. Whatever though, it ain't nearly good enough to make me switch.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bpaluzzi Avatar
185 months ago
Can anyone explain to me why I should use this instead of the native Mail app? Is there any features this app has over the Mail app that is better? Just trying to get some ideas on if or why I should use this when the Mail app seems very sufficient.

Thanks.

Labels
Push + correct delete, simultaneously

Funnily through this thread, I've found out that one can use Gmail Push via Microsoft Exchange. That was the only reason I wanted Google's own mail app badly. Not anymore. Now that I know about the Microsoft Exchange workaround, I've deleted the Gmail app. First, the icon is butt ugly (the only black icon on my springboard), second, the interface is no different from their web app, which is unacceptable considering all their resources.

Will be patiently waiting for Sparrow's Gmail app, which is due early next year. Those guys (just like people behind Tapbots) have some exceptional design skills.

ActiveSync / Exchange doesn't properly delete your emails with Gmail. It moves them to the All Mail folder. And if you do a bulk delete without reading them, they stay as "unread" in your All Mail folder. Very annoying.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DesertSilver Avatar
185 months ago
The "app" has a panes for labels, ability to search, native looking "compose", dropdowns, buttons, pinch to zoom, app icon, badge showing number of unread emails...

With numerous people saying this is just the webpage in app form, can someone enlighten me on what else would be expected in a "true app"? Genuine question, since I'm not sure what else would be expected from an app that simply handles emails.

One could argue that the Facebook and Twitter apps do not give us any additional functionality than their respective mobile sites.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wetrix Avatar
185 months ago
Would have been fine pre-notification centre, but it seems to really miss the mark on iOS5 with no visuals.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fins831 Avatar
185 months ago
Has anyone figured out how to disable the ads? Advice would be welcome.

Yeah delete the app, setup m.google.com in exchange server...and use the iOS5 push email
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...