Top 10: Android email apps

2019. Email client Spark lands on Android


Spark, a popular email client developed by Readdle, has successfully amassed one million users on iOS and macOS over the years. Now, the app has expanded its availability to Android users. Spark sets itself apart by offering power-user features, extensive customization options, and collaboration tools. The app can be downloaded for free, with the option to unlock additional collaborative features through in-app purchases. Although some features are not yet available on the Android version, the company is actively working on implementing quick replies, email templates, email delegation for teams, calendar view, and third-party app integrations. The app begins by introducing smart notifications, allowing users to filter out non-relevant emails and receive notifications for important threads. Additionally, the Smart Inbox feature categorizes newsletters and less important emails separately, enabling users to focus on crucial messages. This release comes at an opportune time as Google Inbox is shutting down. If you prefer smart email clients that automatically organize your inbox based on various criteria, Spark could be the perfect fit for you.


2019. Mobile Gmail gets Material Design UI



Gmail for mobile (available on iOS and Android) is receiving an updated appearance that aligns with the recent Material Design enhancements made to Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, and Sites by the company. Users will notice a familiar UI reminiscent of the Gmail web app, including the option to select from three different density styles. Additionally, there will be new fonts and visual refinements. In terms of functionality, the mobile app is gaining several new features that bring it on par with the web version. Similar to the desktop experience, users can now choose between the default view, as well as comfortable and compact styles. Google has also improved the account-switching process, making it more convenient. Another noteworthy addition is the inclusion of the large red phishing and scam warning box, which was previously available only in the web version, now appearing in the mobile app as well.

2018. Google discontinues Inbox by GMail



Google has officially announced the discontinuation of Inbox by Gmail, its experimental email client for Gmail, by the end of March 2019. The decision to close Inbox is aimed at redirecting Google's focus "exclusively on Gmail." Although this shift in strategy is understandable, it is disheartening to witness the departure of Inbox, which played a pioneering role in introducing many features that are now integral to the new Gmail experience. While the new Gmail incorporates most of Inbox's features, one notable omission is the absence of trip bundles. This highly valuable functionality automatically consolidates all flight, hotel, event, and car reservations into a unified bundle, representing one of Inbox's standout features. Google intends to introduce trip bundles to Gmail early next year, ideally prior to Inbox's shutdown.


2018. Yahoo Mail launches version for mobile web



Yahoo has announced the release of two new versions of Yahoo Mail: one optimized for mobile web and another designed specifically for Android Go, an Android variant tailored for more affordable smartphones. The primary objective of these updates is to enhance the mobile web and Android One experiences, with the intention of expanding the user base of Yahoo Mail among different segments of users. The focus is on attracting individuals who utilize lower-end devices, whether in emerging markets or as more casual mobile users in more developed markets. Currently, Yahoo Mail boasts 227.8 million monthly active email users, a relatively modest figure when compared to Gmail's 1.4 billion users reported in April of this year.


2018. Google launches a lightweight Gmail Go app for Android



Gmail Go is the latest addition to the Android Go lineup, designed to provide users with a more efficient Gmail experience on their smartphones. This app occupies less storage space and optimizes mobile data usage compared to the regular version of Gmail. Despite its streamlined design, Gmail Go retains essential features, including support for multiple accounts, conversation view, attachments, and push notifications for new messages. Additionally, it incorporates Gmail's familiar functionality of prioritizing emails from friends and family, while organizing promotional and social emails into separate tabs.


2015. Microsoft launches Outlook for iOS and Android



Microsoft has previously offered two Outlook-branded apps with certain limitations: the Outlook.com app for Android and the OWA apps for Android and iOS, which exclusively catered to Office 365 subscribers. However, the company has now introduced a new version of Outlook specifically designed for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. This revamped version is based on the Acompli application, which Microsoft acquired for $200 million in December. The new Outlook app bears a resemblance to the original Acompli app in terms of its look and feel. It provides support for various email services including Office 365, Exchange, Outlook.com, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, and other popular providers. Additionally, the Outlook app allows users to send attachments through multiple cloud services, such as Microsoft's OneDrive, Dropbox, and others. Similar to modern email applications, the new Outlook apps also feature customizable swipe gestures to enhance user experience and efficiency.


2014. Zoho Mail is available for iOS and Android phones


Zoho has finally launched the highly anticipated native mobile application for Zoho Mail on both iPhone and Android platforms. This app not only offers a sleek, user-friendly, and seamless interface for accessing emails on the go but also introduces exclusive Calendar, Contacts, and Files modules, creating a comprehensive suite of email applications. As a result, users are empowered to enhance their productivity while they are mobile. The app comes equipped with various features, including customizable push notifications, convenient swipe actions, email reminders for deferred messages, robust search capabilities, and the ability to work with attachments.