Gmail for iOS gets better handling of multiple emails with new edit mode, swiping between messages

Google on Wednesday released an update to its native Gmail app for iOS. The new version comes with better handling of multiple emails via a new edit mode as well as swiping to move between messages. You can download the latest release now directly from the Apple App Store.

The new swiping option works exactly as you’d expect it to: swipe left to see a newer email and swipe right to see an older one. The gesture is the easiest way to move between emails without having to navigate specifically to your inbox.

Here’s an action shot:

The new edit mode is arguably the bigger addition here. You can now more easily perform the same action on multiple messages, whether you’re archiving, deleting, moving, marking as read, muting, reporting as spam, or doing something else to them.

Here’s how it looks (after you’ve selected multiple messages and expanded the menu):

Note that the cells become “tappable” once you check one box. Here’s how it looked before:

Previously there was just an edit popup in the inbox, which obscured part of the last message on the screen. Now the edit mode means less real-estate taken up by those controls and more email in view.

Here’s the official Gmail version 2.1 for iOS changelog:

• Swipe left or right to move between messages without returning to the inbox.
• Take action on multiple messages more quickly: Selecting a message in the inbox now enables edit mode. Once in edit mode, tap on messages to select them and then choose to archive, delete, or more, from the new actions bar. You may select Cancel at any time to leave edit mode.
• And of course: performance improvements and bug fixes.

The iOS update isn’t as big as the most recent one for Android, but it’s certainly a welcome one. We’ll keep you posted as Google continues to keep improving its Gmail apps.

See also – Gmail for Android gets direct notification replies, archives in Jelly Bean, faster searching in ICS and up

Top image credit: ilco

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