How to Fix Gmail Not Working on iPhone

Key Takeaways

  • Check for app and system updates, restart your iPhone, and ensure a stable internet connection
  • Enable IMAP, adjust fetch settings, and remove/re-add your Gmail account in the Mail app
  • Check Gmail storage, background app refresh, and device activity for the Gmail app

Gmail is one of the most widely used email services, and many iPhone users rely on it for their personal and professional communication. However, there may be times when Gmail stops working on your iPhone, causing frustration and inconvenience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and get your Gmail up and running again.

General Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into specific solutions, it’s essential to go through some general troubleshooting steps that can often resolve minor issues.

Update Your iPhone and Apps

Keeping your iPhone and apps up-to-date is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and fixing bugs. Here’s how you can check for updates:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update
  2. If an update is available, tap Download and Install
  3. Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
  4. Scroll down to see if there are any pending updates for the Mail or Gmail app
  5. Tap Update next to the app to install the latest version

Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches that may be causing issues with Gmail. Here’s how to restart your iPhone:

  1. For iPhone X and later: Press and hold the Side button and either of the Volume buttons until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears
  2. For older iPhones: Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears
  3. Slide the slider to turn off your iPhone
  4. After a minute, press and hold the Side button to turn your iPhone back on

Check Your Internet Connection

Gmail requires a stable internet connection to function properly. Ensure that your iPhone is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or has a strong cellular data connection. You can also try toggling Airplane Mode on and off to refresh your internet connection.

Troubleshooting for the Mail App

If you’re experiencing issues with Gmail in the Mail app, try the following solutions:

Enable IMAP

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is the protocol that Gmail uses to sync emails with third-party email clients like the Mail app. If IMAP is disabled, you won’t be able to receive or send emails from your Gmail account. Here’s how to enable IMAP:

  1. Open a web browser and sign in to your Gmail account
  2. Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner
  3. Select See all settings
  4. Navigate to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
  5. In the IMAP access section, select Enable IMAP
  6. Scroll down and click Save Changes

Adjust Fetch Settings

The Mail app fetches new emails from your Gmail account at specific intervals. If the fetch frequency is set too low, you may experience delays in receiving new emails. Here’s how to adjust the fetch settings:

  1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts
  2. Select your Gmail account
  3. Tap Fetch New Data
  4. Under Fetch, choose a more frequent interval (e.g., every 15 minutes)

Remove and Re-add Your Gmail Account

If the above solutions don’t work, you can try removing your Gmail account from the Mail app and re-adding it. This can help resolve any configuration issues that may be causing problems.

  1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts
  2. Select your Gmail account
  3. Tap Delete Account and confirm
  4. Once the account is removed, tap Add Account
  5. Select Google and follow the prompts to re-add your Gmail account

Troubleshooting for the Gmail App

If you’re using the dedicated Gmail app and experiencing issues, try the following solutions:

Check Gmail Storage

If your Gmail account is running low on storage space, it may cause issues with receiving or sending emails. To check your Gmail storage:

  1. Open a web browser and sign in to your Google account
  2. Go to one.google.com/storage
  3. Under Gmail, you’ll see your current storage usage
  4. If you’re running low on space, click Free up account storage and follow the prompts

Check Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content in the background, even when they’re not actively being used. If this feature is disabled for the Gmail app, it may cause syncing issues. Here’s how to enable Background App Refresh:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
  2. Ensure that Background App Refresh is turned on
  3. Scroll down and make sure the toggle for Gmail is enabled

Check Device Activity

If you’re having trouble signing in to your Gmail account on your iPhone, Google may have detected a suspicious sign-in attempt and blocked access. You can check your device activity and verify that it was you trying to sign in:

  1. Open a web browser and sign in to your Google account
  2. Click the Security tab in the left panel
  3. Under Recent security events, look for any sign-in attempts from your iPhone
  4. Click on the event and select Yes, it was me

Additional Tips

If none of the above solutions work, you can try the following additional tips:

  • Force Quit the Mail or Gmail App: Double-tap the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom on newer iPhones) to access the App Switcher, then swipe up on the Mail or Gmail app to force quit it.
  • Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset your Wi-Fi passwords and cellular settings, so be prepared to re-enter them.
  • Contact Apple or Google Support: If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, you may need to contact Apple or Google support for further assistance.

By following these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most issues related to Gmail not working on your iPhone. Remember to keep your iPhone and apps updated, ensure a stable internet connection, and follow the specific solutions for the Mail app or the Gmail app, depending on which one you’re using.