Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
The Gmail app is pre-installed on the top Android phones available for purchase. With over 1.8 billion users, roughly 20% of the global population uses Gmail. Despite its widespread use, advanced AI features, and Google ownership, one might expect Gmail on Android to offer the best email experience. However, I have found it to be just okay, if not lacking.
I have previously found the Gmail app’s features to be lacking compared to other top email apps for Android. I have used Blue Mail for a long time and recently switched to Outlook, which I found to be excellent. Despite this, when I got a new Google Pixel 9 Pro in September, I decided to give the Gmail app another chance. Unfortunately, I found that very little has changed since I last actively used it, about seven or eight years ago.
Upon revisiting the Gmail app for Android, I realized that it still falls short in many areas compared to its competitors and even its iOS counterpart. Here are some of the major reasons why I believe the Gmail app for Android is not as effective as other email services:
1. Inability to mark emails as read from notifications: Unlike the iOS version, Gmail for Android lacks the ability to mark emails as read from notifications, making it difficult to efficiently manage a high volume of emails.
2. Lack of ‘off time’ scheduling: The app does not allow users to turn off notifications for specific accounts during non-working hours, a feature that is available on many other email apps.
3. Inability to sync settings across devices: Gmail for Android lacks the capability to sync signatures, settings, and mailboxes across multiple platforms, resulting in a tedious manual configuration process when setting up new devices.
4. Limited filter and label management: The app does not provide the ability to create or edit filters and labels, essential tools for managing incoming emails efficiently.
Overall, Gmail for Android falls short in several key areas compared to its competitors, making it difficult to provide a seamless email experience for users.