Gmail Not Working on iPhone [Fixes]

Gmail not only works effortlessly with Android devices but also offers the same performance on iPhone. However, like other email services, sometimes Gmail may also encounter issues. If you are an iPhone user and Gmail is not working on it, you can consider the different workarounds provided below.

Ways to Fix Issues When Gmail Not Working on iPhone

Whether you are unable to send or receive emails or have trouble signing into your account, all such issues can be easily fixed by considering the following solutions.

1. Error Messages Like “Cannot Get/Send Mail” or “Can’t Connect Using SSL”

If you are seeing error messages like “Cannot Send Mail”, “Cannot Receive Mail”, or “Can’t Connect Using SSL”, you can try overcoming the problem by visiting the Gmail website on your iPhone and enabling your device again. Here are the steps that you will need to follow:

• On your iPhone, open the Safari web browser.
• Next, go to the gmail.com page and sign into your account with which you are facing issues.
• Then, copy and paste this link (https://accounts.google.com/b/0/displayunlockcaptcha).
• After that, press the Continue button.
• You will then see a page that reads “Account access enable. Please try signing into your Google account again from your new device or application”.
• You should now be able to open the iPhone’s Mail application and start sending/receiving emails as usual.

NOTE: In case you are unable to open Gmail in Safari, check your internet connection. In certain cases, the problem can also occur if the Gmail server is down.

2. Check Device Activity

Although, the problem with Gmail generally gets resolved by following the above-mentioned steps, however, if the problem persists, you can consider checking your Gmail account for any emails from Google notifying you about “unusual” sign-in.

These kinds of notification emails generally include a red box that reads “REVIEW YOUR DEVICES NOW”. Click on this link (if required) to enable your iPhone.

As an alternate option, you can also consider signing into your Google account (via your smartphone or computer) and inspecting your device and Activity Dashboard.

• Sign into your Gmail account.

NOTE: If performing this step on your iPhone, tap on the “Go to the mobile Gmail site” link and then on the “View Gmail in Desktop” link located at the bottom of the Settings menu.

• Next, select your Gmail account profile picture and press the Google Account.

NOTE: You don’t have to select your account picture if performing this action on your iPhone.

• Select the Device activity & security events.
• Then, scroll down to the Recently used devices section and press the REVIEW DEVICES option.

After following these steps, select your iPhone. In most cases, you will be provided details of your most recent login on the screen. However, if there is an Enable button provided, press it. After that, try signing into your Gmail account using the Mail application on your iPhone.

3. Consider Enabling IMAP

One of the most common reasons responsible for issues with Gmail on iPhone is IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). This protocol is known for allowing your Gmail account to send all your account information to and from your mobile device. While IMAP doesn’t cause a problem, however, if it is turned off (for any reason), it may prevent Gmail from working on your iPhone properly.  To check whether IMAP is enabled or not, follow these steps.

• Go to the gmail.com page using your desktop or laptop computer and sign into your account.
• Next, click on the Settings option (gear icon) located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
• Then, select the Settings option from the drop-down menu and go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
• After that, navigate to the IMAP Access section and select the Enable IMAP option, if it isn’t already enabled.
• Enabling IMAP for your Gmail will allow the Mail application on your iPhone to begin sending/receiving emails.

NOTE: If you don’t have access to a desktop or laptop computer, you can follow these steps on your iPhone to enable IMAP.

• Go to the gmail.com page using the Safari browser on your iPhone.
• Next, tap on the “Go to the mobile Gmail site” link located at the bottom of the screen.
• Then, tap on the More button located in the upper-left corner of the screen.
• After that, go to the “View Gmail in” section and tap on the Desktop option.
• Now, from the menu bar running along the top of the screen, select the Settings option.
• Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and navigate to the IMAP Access section to select the Enable IMAP option.

4. Facing Issues With Gmail on iPhone (iOS 6 or Earlier Version)

The above-mentioned workarounds are majorly suggested for the most recent iOS versions. In case you are using iOS 6 or earlier versions on your iPhone, you may need to allow “less secure” apps to access your Gmail account.

• Sign into Gmail.

NOTE: If performing this step on your iPhone, select the “Go to the mobile Gmail site” link and then the “View Gmail in Desktop” link located at the bottom of the Settings menu.

• Next, select your Gmail account profile picture and click on the Google Account option.

NOTE: You will not have to select your account picture if performing this step on your iPhone.

• Then, select the Device activity & security events option and scroll down to the “Allow less secure apps” section located at the bottom of the page.
• After that, click on the slider to move it to the “enabled” position.
• You will then be able to use Gmail through the Mail app of your iPhone.

5. Delete and Restore Account

If even after following the above-mentioned steps you are unable to overcome the problem with Gmail on iPhone, you can consider removing your Gmail account from the smartphone and then configure it again.

To remove the account,

• Tap on the Settings option on your iPhone.
• Next, go to Passwords & Accounts>Gmail Account.
• Then, tap on the Delete Account option.

To re-add the account,

• Navigate to the Passwords & Accounts section.
• Next, select the Add Account option.
• Then, select Google, enter your Gmail address and press the Next button.
• After that, make sure that the Mail option is enabled. Also, enable Contacts, Calendars, and Notes if you wish to access them on your iPhone.
• Finally, tap on the Save option.
• Your Gmail account should now function properly on your iPhone.

So, these are the common workarounds that you can follow to make Gmail work on your iPhone without any issues.