Gmail is Google's email service. With over 1 billion active users, it's one of the most popular email platforms in the world. What makes Gmail stand out from the rest and why would you use it over other platforms?
Apr 18, 2017 Therefore, I do highly suggest this app, just know it does have certain limitations, as I mentioned limited settings options, you will still have to go to your actual Gmail account online for those, but that is understandable, as this is not your actual Gmail, it's a companion program to help with reasons I listed above for why it is so convenient. Apr 12, 2018 Absolutely not. The iOS app is robust and was recently overhauled to look and work in almost the same way the Android app does. You get every feature, including the ability to delete emails from your lock screen. If you want a Gmail account but prefer the iOS Mail app, you can easily add your Gmail account and get all your email that way.
Here's everything you need to know!
What's new with Gmail?
April 12th 2018: Gmail for web is getting a facelift
Gmail is currently testing a new design for Gmail on the web to bring it more inline with the Gmail mobile app.
The new design includes a few features that were originally introduced for Google's Inbox app including smart replies and snooze.
Smart replies gives you the option of quickly replying to emails with pre-made suggestions, while the snooze features enables you to tempoairly remove emails from your inbox until a certain time.
No exactly release date is known as of yet, but the updated design should be rolling out in the next few weeks.
First off, how much does Gmail cost?
Free! Gmail is completely free to use. You can, of course, pay for premium features, like more inbox storage and that sort of thing, but if you don't need that, then you're good to go!
There is, however a paid version, which lets you choose a custom email domain, like your company name, and you get unlimited group email addresses, 99.9% guaranteed uptime, twice the storage of personal Gmail (30GB), no ads, 24/7 support, Microsoft Exchange support, and more.
So if you're switching to Gmail with business in mind, you'd probably want to opt for the paid version.
Prices start at $5 per month, per user.
Does it work just like my current email service?
Yes and no. Gmail is incredibly Google and works in a very Google-like way, which is why it benefits from so many features. Google does make Gmail accessible via traditional POP and IMAP protocols as well, though, if that's your bag. (Also via Exchange, if you opt for the business version.)
You can head to google.com and sign in there or you can download the iOS or Android app.
You can send text emails, attach files, photos, and videos, Cc, Bcc, etc. — it's a full-featured email client.
Do I need to switch to Android to be able to use it fully?
Absolutely not. The iOS app is robust and was recently overhauled to look and work in almost the same way the Android app does. You get every feature, including the ability to delete emails from your lock screen. If you want a Gmail account but prefer the iOS Mail app, you can easily add your Gmail account and get all your email that way.
Can I migrate my existing email?
Yep! Google has some migration tools you can use to make the whole process easy and efficient.
Can I have multiple email addresses?
You bet! Using your original Gmail ID, you can create up to 30 email aliases. Sick of receiving mail on one of those aliases? Just delete it and the spam stops!
Does anything else come with a Gmail account?
And how! Signing up for Gmail doesn't just get you an excellent email client; you get access to the entire 'G Suite', which is Google's suite of cloud apps, including Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, and more.
These apps don't cost you a thing, and you can access them from just about any device, via the web or the corresponding app. Docs is a great word processor; sheets is a spreadsheet app á la Excel; Drive is where you can store all of your files (up to 15GB of storage for free); and Calendar lets you keep track of all of your events and reminders.
Do I have to use all of those apps?
Nope, not if you don't want to. Google includes G Suite in order to complete your user experience. That way, you sign in once, and you have access to everything you need, be it your notes, spreadsheets, slideshows, whatever. If you prefer Microsoft Office or whatever you're already using, you never have to touch anything but your actually email if you don't want to. Just know that it's always there if you need it.
Is it secure?
Gmail is quite secure, and if you're unsure, it supports two-factor authentication, so you can rest assured that if your password's ever figured out by those who would do harm to your account, they would still need the six-digit code to sign in.
You can also enable S/MIME protocols to encrypt your emails in transit.
Is it private?
Google is an advertising company. As such, it's algorithms do scan mail so Google can display ads that are as relevant as possible to your interests. That way you're less likely to be annoyed and more likely to click or tap on those ads.
All that data is anonymized and kept secure by Google, and isn't sold off to any unsavory marketing types.
You're going to have to decide if that's fair payment for the mail service.
Should I switch?
If you're perfectly happy with your current email client, then there's really no reason — it's all up to personal preference at the end of the day. However, if you are considering switching, then Gmail is easily one of the best email clients around because you get so much more than email.
Any other questions about Gmail?
Let us know in the comments below!
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Lawsuit timeGoogle faces privacy lawsuit over tracking users in apps without consent
Law firm Boies Schiller Flexner has filed another lawsuit against Google. This time, the law firm has accused Google of tracking users in apps even after opting out.
Several people are experiencing issues with Gmail (especially G Suite) email accounts in Mail on Mac. It seems that the Mail App is not working as expected for some Gmail users. More specifically, some Gmail users have said that after installing the macOS 10.14.4, and launching the Mail app, some Gmail users are asked to authenticate their email addresses. They get a notification saying:
See also: macOS Mojave Freezes or Stops Responding, Fix
“Enter the password for the account “(null)”: Google requires completing authentication in Safari.” This takes users to a Google web login form. However, shortly after authenticating, the Mail app asks for authentication once again, and again, as the process does not stick and goes into an endless loop.
Please note that we contacted Apple regarding this issue, and we were told that Apple is currently working on a fix.
In the meantime, you can try the following fixes:
1– Changing your Gmail account’s security settings may fix this problem. Open Google’s My Account site (https://myaccount.google.com) and click Security (On the left navigation panel) and then scroll down and find the “Less secure app access” section and turn this on (note that Google recommends this OFF).
See also: Mail App Keeps Crashing
2- Set up your email account using IMAP. Please note that this process will delete your messages and will no longer available on your Mac. But do not worry, your mails will not be removed from Google’s servers, you can still access your mails via gmail.com web site. Here is how:
- Open the Mail App
- Click Mail
- Click Preferences
- Click Accounts
- Select your Gmail account
- And click the (-) remove button
- Now we will re-add your Gmail account
- Before that, let us make sure that IMAP access is enable. If not, you can do that easily. To enable IMAP in Gmail, login into your Gmail web client (gmail.com) and then click Settings:
- Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
- Select Enable IMAP (IMAP access section)
- And scroll down and click Save.
- Now again in Mail App, choose Mail
- Click Add Account
- Select Google, then click Continue
- Enter your email and click Next
- Enter your password and click Next
- And follow the instructions
If this does not work, try the “Add Other Account” option and add smpt/imap info manually:
- Incoming server: imap.gmail.com
- Outgoing server: smtp.gmail.com
3- Open Safari and go to https://accounts.google.com/b/0/DisplayUnlockCaptcha and then enter your username and password, then enter the letters (captcha) then try again.
4-Please try the following:
- Quit Mail App.
- Open Keychain (Applications > Utilities or Spotlight Keychain)
- Search: google.oa
- Find the accounts that you are having trouble accessing, and delete Keychains
- Now go to https://accounts.google.com
- Sign in with your problematic account
- Click Security (left menu)
- Find the “Third-party apps with account access” section and click “manage third-party access”
- Click macOS and to revoke its access
- Then sign out (https://accounts.google.com)
- On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Internet accounts and re-authenticate your account
- And open your Mail and try again
5-Still having the problem? if so try this:
- Download and install Charles (a proxy app): https://www.charlesproxy.com/latest-release/download.do
- Authorize automatic proxy, when asked
- In Charles go to the Help menu and then choose SSL Proxying > Install Charles Root Certificate
- Keychain Access will open. Find the “Charles Proxy…” (you may type Charles to search).
- Double click on it.
- Expand the Trust section and set to “Always Trust”.
- Close the window, enter your password when you are asked.
- In Charles, choose SSL Proxying Settings (Proxy menu).
- Add a new location with Host: people.googleapis.com
- Go to the Tools menu and then choose Rewrite and click Add.
- Add a new location with Host: people.googleapis.com.
- Add a new action:
Type: Body
Where: Response
Replace Value: {“names”:[{“metadata”:{“primary”:true},”displayName”:”Your Name”}],”emailAddresses”:[{“value”:”your@email”}]}
Why Does Mac Not Have A Gmail App Download
- And now on your Mac, open System Settings and Internet Accounts and re-authorize your account.
- Now test to see if it is working, if your issue is resolved now, feel free to remove the Charles app.
Why Does Mac Not Have A Gmail Apps
See also: macOS Mojave Draining Your Mac Battery Life? Here Is How To Fix