How to set Gmail as the default email app on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14

One of the lesser-known iOS and iPadOS 14 features lets you change the default email app for iPhone and iPad. However, for this option to become available, third-party email clients must be updated with compatibility. Microsoft was the first to reach out as they updated Outlook with this feature as soon as iOS 14 was deployed.

Google reacted today, 5 days later, as it just released an App Store update for Gmail that includes support for the default email app for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. This means you can now replace the stock Mail with Gmail as the primary email client on your Apple device.

How to set Gmail as the default email app

• 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
• 2. Scroll to the end of the list until you reach Gmail and press it.
• 3. Press on Default messaging app.
• 4. To select Gmail.

Fact: Remember you need Gmail for the iOS version 6.0.200825 or later, to make this setting available. App Store direct download link for Gmail is available here.

Video Tutorial Create a Default Gmail Email App

Watch this video guide and learn how to implement the tips provided above. A demo that shows how Gmail works as the default email app is also included:

What does it mean?

Making Gmail the default email app on your iPhone will cause every interaction you have with emails to use Google’s default email client. For example, if you tap an email hyperlink in Safari, the browser will open Gmail “New mail” compose instead of the standard Mail application.
If you’re better with Gmail, you should definitely go for the switch.

Google Chrome as default browser

iOS 14 also allows the same privileges for the default web browser. This means that you can replace Safari and create the main browser for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge or DuckDuckGo on your iPhone or iPad.
The steps are similar:
1. Open the Settings app under iOS 14 or iPadOS 14.
2. Scroll down to Chromium (or any other compatible third-party browser).
3. Press on Default browser application.
4. To select Chromium.

Important: In these early stages of iOS 14, there is a bug that resets your default email and web browser settings every time you restart your iPhone or iPad. Apple acknowledged the problem and promised to fix it with an upcoming software update.

Are you planning to use Gmail as your default email app on iPhone and iPad? Let us know in the comments section available below.

Related: For lesser-known new iOS and iPadOS 14 features, tap here.