Gmail Now Able to Be Set as Default Mail App on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Gmail Now Able to Be Set as Default Mail App on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14

Apple in iOS and iPadOS 14 is allowing third-party apps to be set as alternatives to the default browser apps on the iPhone and the iPad, and now one of the most popular third-party email apps, Gmail, can be set as the default email app on your iOS devices.

gmaildefaultmailapp
With the latest Gmail for iOS update available in the App Store as of today, Gmail can serve as a replacement for the Mail app.

You can set Gmail as the default email app on your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ by downloading it from the ‌App Store‌, opening up the Settings app, scrolling down to Gmail in the apps list and then tapping on Default Mail App.

Google previously updated Chrome with the default browser function so it can be set to replace Safari on the iPhone and ‌iPad‌. Those who prefer Google's apps can now have a mostly Google-centric experience on the iPhone, at least when it comes to browser and email.

It's worth noting that there is currently a bug that resets the default apps that have been set to replace Safari and Mail every time a device is rebooted, so Gmail may have to be updated as the default email app whenever you restart your iPhone until Apple fixes the issue.

Tag: Gmail

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple

Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads. The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed...

Top Rated Comments

76 months ago
oh when it comes to becoming a default app, Google implements it in a hot second...but when it comes to other iOS features, Google drags its feet.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
76 months ago

oh when it comes to becoming a default app, Google implements it in a hot second...but when it comes to other iOS features, Google drags its feet.
They were also quick on blocking Picture in Picture for YouTube.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattkally Avatar
76 months ago
Until you restart it ;p
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
decypher44 Avatar
76 months ago

Remembered why I stopped you the Gmail app as soon as I set up. The ads are terrible, and no idea how to get rid of them. I can live with the Mail app not having push notifications for my gmail accounts just to avoid the ads
Ads? I have been using gmail and the iOS app for a long time. I had to check again to be sure. I don’t see any ads. Where would I find them in the app?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
76 months ago
For real.. how long again did it take them to implement dark mode? Lol
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
76 months ago
Now how about changing the default music app?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)