Gmail for iOS Updated for the First Time in Three Months

After neglecting the app for several months, Google today finally updated Gmail on the App Store for the first time in exactly three months.

gmail updated

Today's update, version 6.0.210124, says it includes "Bug fixes and performance improvements," but it is a notable update given it's the first one the app has seen in months. Alongside Gmail, Google Meet, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Calander, and Google Tasks have also received app updates today, with Google Tasks adding new iOS 14 widgets.

As with nearly all Google apps on the ‌App Store‌, Gmail had remained without a proper app update for months. Initial speculation was that Google was holding back app updates as a way to delay having to disclose to users its privacy practices. Updates for Google's more popular apps have started rolling out over the past few weeks, and Gmail is certainly one of the most high-profile ones to finally see an update.

Announced at WWDC 2020 and rolled out officially in December, Apple's privacy "nutrition labels" require developers to provide users detailed information about what data they collect and whether they share that data with third parties. As of early December, developers must provide this privacy information before a new or updated app can be made available on the ‌App Store‌.

Google updated Gmail with privacy labels just over a week ago, but the app itself was not updated until today.

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

sir1963nz Avatar
64 months ago
I use Apple Mail for all my email needs.
I will not have google, Amazon, Facebook Apps on my devices.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
64 months ago

Alright .. teach me.. Why would you use the google app (knowing google uses your data to make money) compared to the Apple iOS app. What are the benefits. Is it faster? Does it save battery? I just really want to know why this app is being downloaded?.
Push notification. Google got rid of Exchange Server several years ago. Apple Mail can access Gmail via IMAP, which is very inefficient (uses a lot of CPU). So Apple Mail defaults to "Automatically" fetch setting where IMAP email accounts are synched only your phone is plugged in or when you open Mail app. You can change the setting to every 15, 30, or 60 minutes, but at the expense of battery life.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnalan Avatar
64 months ago
WGAF.

Add PIP to YouTube ffs.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
64 months ago
I mean, we know Google apps would have egregious privacy policy. So why delay the inevitable?

While App Privacy and allowing users to preventing apps from using advertising identifier are great steps, I would like Apple to extend their efforts by:

* Contacts. Like Photos, I should be able to specify which set of contacts app can access.
* Calendar and Reminders. New add only permission. Most apps should not be able to read my existing calendar events.
* Local Network: A separate setting to allow AirPlay while blocking other local network activities.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jk1221 Avatar
64 months ago

Search history and location? Seriously???

I'm just puzzled at this point.
Yes. ROUGH location (the privacy card even says rough) using your IP to verify that you are in fact you logging into your account. A security feature that my app like banking apps use. The app has no GPS permissions. That is why it pops are is this you in this city logging in- it uses your IP address.

And search history of your email searches. That is how it has your prior search terms if you want to go back and do the same search again.

This is the problem with Apple's cards. There is not enough detail to explain to people what is actually going on. Most people have no idea what rough location is for instance.

And since we live in the conspiracy theory era now, more needs to be explained.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jk1221 Avatar
64 months ago

Push notification. Google got rid of Exchange Server several years ago. Apple Mail can access Gmail via IMAP, which is very inefficient (uses a lot of CPU). So Apple Mail defaults to "Automatically" fetch setting where IMAP email accounts are synched only your phone is plugged in or when you open Mail app. You can change the setting to every 15, 30, or 60 minutes, but at the expense of battery life.
Also all of the Gmail features- snooze, schedule send, multiple categories/labels, auto-predict, etc etc.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)