Google on Thursday updated Gmail for iOS with a trio of notable new features: quick actions, the ability to email files from other apps and a new attachment viewer. Gmail users on iPhone and iPad can now attach photos and documents to Gmail from other apps such as Instagram using the updated in-app share sheet, and open attachments from Gmail into any app.

Gmail for iOS 4.0
Taking advantage of Apple's addition of interactive notifications in iOS 8, quick actions enable Gmail users to archive or reply to emails directly from a notification without leaving the app. The functionality also works for notifications in Notification Center and on the Lock screen. The latest release of Gmail for iOS pushes the app to version 4.0 on the App Store.

What's New in Version 4.0
• Take quick actions - Archive or reply to messages directly from a notification
• Email files from other apps - Attach photos and documents to Gmail right from your favorite apps
• New attachment viewer - Open attachments from Gmail into any app

Gmail for iOS [Direct Link] is free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

Top Rated Comments

gmintz09 Avatar
142 months ago
Nice update, but why archive and not delete? I never have understood archive as an action in email. It doesn't get rid of it, it throws it to my "All Mail" section but still stays in my inbox. I would have preferred "Reply" and "Delete" as options.

Furthermore, these actions really don't work on the lock screen if you have a passcode/TouchID...I have to unlock my phone to complete the action. I also still have to leave the app I'm in to reply to an email. Not sure why it says I can do it right from the notification. Disappointing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
142 months ago
Nice update, but why archive and not delete? I never have understood archive as an action in email. It doesn't get rid of it, it throws it to my "All Mail" section but still stays in my inbox. I would have preferred "Reply" and "Delete" as options.

With Gmail, you are the product. Google wants you to retain as much email as possible so that they can profile you for adverting campaigns. Regarding "All Mail" messages staying in your inbox, you just need to adjust some settings. Archived messages don't stay in your Inbox when configured properly.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mpavilion Avatar
142 months ago
I recently switched from using the Gmail app to accessing Gmail via the Outlook app. I love it -- you can do almost everything that you can do via the Gmail app (except for "Labeling" messages while leaving them in the Inbox), plus a lot more... without the hassles and annoyances of the Gmail app (poor design, notifications that don't clear when you view the message in the app, account sign-in issues, etc.).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
technosix Avatar
142 months ago
I've been using all the Google iOS apps. They enhance the iPhone experience a lot. Very enjoyable.

Perhaps best of all is how rapidly Google Innovates without fear. They just do it and do it well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mms13 Avatar
142 months ago
Nice update, but why archive and not delete? I never have understood archive as an action in email. It doesn't get rid of it, it throws it to my "All Mail" section but still stays in my inbox. I would have preferred "Reply" and "Delete" as options.

You aren't using Gmail correctly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bozzykid Avatar
142 months ago
With Gmail, you are the product. Google wants you to retain as much email as possible so that they can profile you for adverting campaigns.
That simply isn't true. Deleting email will not have any affect on advertising campaigns shown to you. Google uses an automated process to scan emails when they arrive. Once you delete the email, nothing will change. So there is no incentive for Google to want you to archive the email. To be fair, Apple scans emails (incoming and outgoing) as well. They just choose to not retain the data for advertising purposes.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
airpods pro 3 design

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update

Tuesday January 13, 2026 11:29 am PST by
Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30. Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements." No other AirPods models received firmware updates today. How to install AirPods Pro...