Google gives Gmail for iPhone a fresh look with new design
Google has finally given Gmail for iPhone and iPad a modern makeover with what they call Material 3 design. This update brings a fresh look to the app, making it more in line with contemporary design trends.
The first thing you’ll notice on the main page is the search bar. It’s now shaped like a pill, which is a bit different from the old rounded rectangle. If you use Google Chat or Meet within Gmail, you’ll see that the current tab is marked with another pill shape at the bottom, instead of just highlighting the icon.
The color scheme has shifted too. Blue is now the main accent color, replacing much of the red that was there before. The color changes depending on whether you’re using light or dark mode.
On Android, there’s something called “Dynamic Color” which changes app colors based on your wallpaper, but that’s not available on iOS. It would be cool if Google could make this work across devices or at least let you choose your colors on an account level.
Here’s what the new design looks like compared to the old one:
- Search Bar: From a simple rectangle to a sleek pill shape.
- Color Scheme: More blue, less red, with shades matching the theme you’re using.
- Compose Button: Now a vibrant blue rectangle when in dark mode.
- Menu: The side menu hasn’t changed much, but the overflow icon in emails has gone from vertical dots to horizontal dots in a circle.
Google Chat for iOS got a similar update recently, but other Google Workspace apps like Drive, Docs, and Meet remain the same for now. Other apps like Google Search, Maps, Photos, and Home have also adopted this new design.
This update, version 6.0.250119, is available now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad users, bringing a more unified and visually appealing experience to Gmail.