Gmail for iOS Updated With Quick Actions, Share Sheet and Attachment Viewer

Thursday March 5, 2015 9:36 AM PST by Joe Rossignol
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.

Tags: App Store, iOS, Gmail
36 comments

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gmintz09
61 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.
Rating: 5 Votes
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coolfactor
61 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.
Rating: 2 Votes
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mpavilion
61 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.).
Rating: 2 Votes
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technosix
61 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.
Rating: 2 Votes
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mms13
61 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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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bozzykid
61 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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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gmintz09
61 months ago

You never know when you need an old email. Archive is easier than filtering.


That's true...but for any email I get, I can easily label it and put it in a folder to save for later. I'd rather just be able to get rid of the email if I don't care about it. Archiving just leaves it there for me to have to sort out later anyways. To each their own I guess.
Rating: 1 Votes
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thisrocks
61 months ago
*Patiently awaits Google Inbox updates*

For anyone that hasn't given it a shot, I strongly recommend that you do. I stopped using Gmail almost as soon as my invitation was accepted. The workflow matches mine perfectly, but of course, that doesn't mean it's for everyone!
Rating: 1 Votes
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C DM
61 months ago
If only they would allow for a few more (basic) settings in the app, or at least follow the ones set online--for example, being able to disable conversation/thread view, or at least follow the selected setting set online.
Rating: 1 Votes
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