Gmail not working on iPhone? Fixes for the Mail app and Gmail app
Gmail on iPhone breaks in different ways in Apple’s Mail app and in Google’s Gmail app. Start by checking which one is failing.
The fix
9 fixes, quickest first
- 1
Check your connection and Gmail’s status.
Open a website to test your internet, and check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for Gmail.
- 2
Check gmail.com in Safari.
If you can sign in and see your email there, your account is fine and the issue is the app.
- 3
Refresh and restart.
Pull down in the inbox to refresh, close the app and restart your iPhone.
- 4
Update iOS and the Gmail app.
Install updates in Settings › General › Software Update and the App Store.
- 5
Mail app: remove and re-add your Gmail account.
Go to Settings › Apps › Mail › Mail Accounts, tap Gmail, then Delete Account. Add it again with Add Account › Google. This fixes most issues after a password change.
- 6
Mail app: set Fetch.
In Mail Accounts, tap Fetch New Data, choose Gmail and select Fetch, then set the schedule to Every 15 Minutes.
- 7
Turn on IMAP in Gmail.
On a computer, open Gmail › Settings › See all settings › Forwarding and POP/IMAP, choose Enable IMAP and save.
- 8
Gmail app: sign out and back in.
Tap your profile picture › Manage accounts on this device, remove the account and sign in again.
- 9
Check your Google storage.
If your 15 GB is full, Gmail stops sending and receiving. Check at one.google.com/storage.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Gmail work in the Gmail app but not in iPhone Mail?
The Mail app connects through IMAP and your saved Google sign-in. If you changed your Google password or IMAP is off, Mail stops syncing while the Gmail app keeps working. Remove the account from Mail and add it again.
Why do Gmail emails arrive late in iPhone Mail?
Gmail does not support Push in Apple Mail, so Mail checks on a schedule. Set Fetch to Every 15 Minutes, or use the Gmail app for instant notifications.
What to try next
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