Native Gmail App Returns to App Store - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Native Gmail App Returns to App Store

by

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

190 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
190 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
190 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)
190 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
190 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)
190 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

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

Apple Says macOS 27 Won't Be Compatible With These Macs

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:29 am PDT by
During WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. macOS 27 will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. Apple will unveil macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote this Monday, June 8, and the...
MacBook Neo on Yellow Feature

MacBook Neo is So Popular That Apple Reportedly Doubled Production

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:24 am PDT by
On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said he believes that MacBook Neo shipments to Apple were doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10...
iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....