Skip to main content

Google's Material Design standard, Undo Send, arrive on Gmail for iOS

gmail app
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Gmail on iOS has finally caught up to its Android counterpart. As Google boasts, though it probably shouldn’t, the update is the “biggest overhaul of the app in nearly four years.” Gmail on iOS is now faster, features Material Design, and has some highly requested features.

One of the biggest features in the update is “Undo Send,” which debuted last year in Gmail on the web and on Android. The feature has been available in the Gmail teams task-oriented email app, Inbox, on Android and iOS as well. Undo Send, as the name suggests, lets you quickly stop an email from flying off to a recipient — you know, in case you accidentally spelled someone’s name wrong.

gmail
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Searching on the new Gmail app is now a lot faster as well, and misspelled searches will come with spelling suggestions. You can also swipe emails away to archive or delete them — you can pick which action you want in the app’s settings.

It’s unclear why exactly it took so long for Google to update the iOS app for Gmail — the previous version looked like a wrapper around its mobile site. In any event, Material Design, the design guidelines proposed by Google in 2014, along with its smooth animations have finally made its way to this app.

There are also a few updates to Google Calendar on iOS, namely a month view and a week view in landscape mode. Both of these viewing options have been available on the Android app for some time.

Google Calendar also supports Apple’s Spotlight Search, so you can search for “events, reminders, and goals” directly from your device without having to open the app. Finally, you can add alternate calendars — such as an Islamic or Hindu calendar — in a manner that allows you to see everything in one place.

Editors' Recommendations

Julian Chokkattu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more…
This could be our first look at iOS 18’s huge redesign
An iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro standing upright on a desk.

While iOS 17 fell short on a visual overhaul, Apple is rumored to be working on an updated identity for its next iOS version. Previous reports have claimed that the upcoming iOS 18 will feature visionOS-like elements introduced on the Apple Vision Pro. A new report confirms this with a leaked image of the iOS 18 Camera app.

According to a report from MacRumors, the next version of the Camera app could feature visionOS-style design elements. It is based on an iPhone frame template that the publication received from an anonymous source who claimed to have received it from an iOS engineer. It is said to have been included as part of the Apple Design Resources for iOS 18.

Read more
10 reasons you should buy an iPhone in 2024
Purple iPhone 14 (left) and a green iPhone 15 in hand.

The iPhone 15 lineup — which includes the standard iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro — is the iPhone at its best. It's the latest series of iPhones available today and the default choice if you're buying a new iPhone in 2024.

But it’s not the only choice of iPhones you can purchase. In fact, Apple still sells the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and the iPhone SE on its website. You could also find other iPhone models available – refurbished or new — from other retailers or carrier stores.

Read more
We now know when Apple is adding RCS to the iPhone
The iPhone 14 Plus held in a man's hand.

Last November, Apple made a surprise announcement when it confirmed that RCS was coming to the iPhone in 2024. It's something iPhone and Android phone users alike have been waiting years for, but there was just one small problem: Apple never said when in 2024 RCS was coming. Thanks to Google, of all companies, we now have a better idea of when RCS is heading to the iPhone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Android website was recently updated with a new page dedicated to Google Messages. If you click on the "See more features" button for the section talking about RCS, there's a section titled "Better messaging for all" with the following text: "Apple has announced it will be adopting RCS in the fall of 2024. Once that happens, it will mean a better messaging experience for everyone."

Read more