Google Rolls Out ‘Material Theme’ for Gmail on Android and iOS

• Google has finally started rolling out its redesign for the Gmail app for mobile users.
• The redesign first came to the web version last year in April, and the update for mobile users has been long overdue.
• The redesign will be implemented via a gradual rollout over the next few weeks.

Gmail users on Android and iOS will see some major changes to the user interface in the coming weeks as Google is pushing out a complete redesign for the mobile apps. Google’s “Material Design” was implemented to the web version of Gmail last year in April and mobile users have been waiting for the past 9 months to check out the new design and features.

Google has moved some of the buttons around as part of the redesign with the account switcher being moved to the top right-hand side of the app as part of the search bar. The search bar serves as the navigation bar for the Gmail app while the Floating Action Button stays at the bottom-right corner. Google Drive, Calendar and Docs have already received a similar redesign, and other Google apps will be receiving a similar update soon.

Image Courtesy of Google Blog

Even though Google made some major design changes to the Gmail app, the functionality remains the same with no new features. Google also does not seem interested in adding Inbox’s grouping system. If you are still using Google’s Inbox service, then you will be forced to switch to Gmail soon as the app will be shut down by March 2019.

If you have any saved preferences for the Gmail app, they will not get changed as part of the redesign, and it will retain your inbox sorting preferences as well. Other than the icons, buttons and some UI changes, there is not much else to look forward to. The app feels cleaner and more modern. Google announced that the update will be rolling out to Android devices starting today and iOS devices should receive an update in the coming weeks.

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