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 Rumored Colors

What's Coming in September: New iPhones, Apple Watches and More

Thursday August 13, 2026 4:20 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, and it's also possible we'll get devices waiting on Siri AI like the Apple TV. iPhone 18 Pro The iPhone 18 Pro is going to look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It's getting some internal updates, including a new Wide camera with a variable aperture for more control over lighting ...
iPhone 17 One Year Later Thumb 1

Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?

Friday August 14, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by
For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27 Feature 1

30 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27

Friday August 14, 2026 6:24 am PDT by
Apple will release iOS 27 in September, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features on the way, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though, as the following feature list...

Top Rated Comments

77 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)
77 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
77 months ago
Until you restart it ;p
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
decypher44 Avatar
77 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)
77 months ago
For real.. how long again did it take them to implement dark mode? Lol
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
77 months ago
Now how about changing the default music app?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)