How to Make Gmail and Outlook the Default Email Client on iPhone

With the introduction of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple has finally made it possible for third-party email clients to replace the Mail app. This means that you can now set Gmail or Outlook as the default email app on iPhone and iPad.

What do you need

To set a default third-party email client, your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 14 or iPadOS 14. To confirm, go to Settings> General> Software Update. If your device has an older version of iOS or iPadOS, you will see an option to upgrade (as long as your device is compatible with iOS 14 or iPadOS 14).

You also need to update your preferred email app, Gmail or Outlook. Go to the App Store, search for “Gmail” or “Outlook,” then tap Update if you see the option listed.

How to set Gmail as the default email client

Gmail is among the best third-party email apps for iPhone and iPad with top-notch email organization and dialing capabilities. To set it as the default email client on your iPhone or iPad, follow the steps below.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Then scroll down and select Gmail. Follow by tapping on the option labeled Default Mail App.

From the list of email apps that appear, select Gmail, and then exit the Settings app.

Gmail is now the default email client on your iPhone and iPad. Any mailto links you tap will automatically bring up Gmail.

How to set Outlook as the default email client

Outlook comes with a dizzying array of features that make it an amazing email app to use on iPhone and iPad.

To set it as the default email app client, start by opening the Settings app on your iOS or iPadOS device. Then scroll down and select Outlook. Follow by tapping Default messaging app.

Have the list of email apps displayed, select Outlook, and then exit the Settings app.

Outlook will now appear whenever you tap a mailto link while interacting with your iOS or iPadOS device.

Default email setting does not work

Despite setting up Gmail or Outlook as the default email app on your iPhone or iPad, you may still see the native Mail app appear when you tap a mailto link. There are several reasons why this is happening.

Update to iOS / iPadOS 14.0.1 or higher

There is a known bug in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 GM (Golden Master) version that automatically reverts the default email app setting to Native Mail every time you restart your iPhone or iPad.

At the time of writing, Apple has fixed the issue with the iOS / iPadOS 14.0.1 Incremental Update. Therefore, go to Settings> General> Software Update and update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS 14 or iPadOS 14.

Disable email app accounts

If you’ve set up an iCloud email account or any other third-party email account to work with the Mail app, it might prevent your favorite third-party email app from launching.

To resolve this issue, go to Settings> Mail> Accounts and turn off any iCloud or third-party email account integration with the Mail app.

Remove or hide the messaging app

Once you’ve set Gmail or Outlook as the default email app on your iPhone or iPad, you can choose to remove the native email app from your device. You can also choose to hide it in the app library.

Just long press the Mail app icon and then select the Remove app option. Next, tap Remove app to remove Mail app or tap Move to app library to hide it.

If you deleted the Mail app, you can still get it back by downloading it from the App Store. If you’ve chosen to hide it, you can access it through the app library – swipe right from the last slide on the home screen to access the app library.

If you want to set the Mail app as your default email client again, go to Settings> Mail> Default email app and select Mail.

Open garden

The ability to change the default email client on iPhone and iPad is one of the biggest improvements in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. You can also check how you can change the default web browser on your phone or tablet.