How to Set Gmail as the Default Email App on iPhone or iPad

This article explains how to change the default email app to Gmail on an iPhone or iPad, and includes a list of other email programs you can make the default.

How to Set Gmail as the Default Email App on iOS 

Apple loosened up its restriction on default apps for email, allowing users to use an app other than Apple Mail. To set Gmail as your default email app, you need a few things:

• iOS 14 or higher installed on your iPhone, or iPadOS 14 or higher installed on your iPad
• The Gmail app installed on your device. If you don't have it yet, it's a free download from the App Store.

Once you've met those requirements, follow these steps to set Gmail as the default email app on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Scroll down until you find the settings for Gmail and tap that.

3. Tap Default Mail App.

4. Tap Gmail so that the checkmark appears next to it.

5. Go back to the home screen or do anything else. Your choice is automatically saved.

With that change made, any time you tap a link that would open your email program—such as to write a new message—the Gmail app will open.

How to Switch Your Default Email App Back to Apple Mail

Decide you want to go back to the Apple Mail app as your default instead? Follow the first three steps from the last section, but tap Mail instead.

Other Apps That Can Be the Default Email App

Gmail isn't the only app you can set as your default email app on the iPhone or iPad. The list is growing all the time, but as of this writing, here are all of the apps can be set as your default email app:

If you want to make any of these your default email app, follow the same steps from earlier, except in step 2 tap on the app you want to make the default instead of Gmail.