Some FAQs on New Gmail

The New Gmail was launched a little more than a month ago, and I thought it is time to take a look at the issues which are still troubling the common user. The questions are gleaned from the various threads I responded to or came across in the Gmail Help Forum, and I hope that this post manages to mention and answer most of them, if not all.

• How do I switch back to old (classic) Gmail?

The answer is very simple. In New Gmail, click on the Gmail Settings (Gear) button and from the drop-down options, click the first one, "Go back to classic Gmail". Here is a screenshot to help you.

• I'm unable to find Contacts in new Gmail.

No worries. Contacts can be found by clicking the 9-dot apps launcher in the top-right corner of the screen. Here is a screenshot:

Of course, some may not see the Contacts app in amongst the apps when they click on the 9-dot apps launcher. Like the screenshot below. If this happens to you, simply click the More link you see at the bottom and the Contacts app will appear in the next group of apps.

 

As have been mentioned and demonstrated in a previous post, How to access Contacts from New Gmail, you can drag n drop to move those icons around. So, you can replace any of the initially visible apps in the first group with the Contacts app.

In this context, it is important to mention that the usual way of accessing contacts in the classic Gmail, by clicking on the Gmail logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then clicking Contacts in the drop-down menu has been changed recently. Now when you click on the Gmail logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then click Contacts in the drop-down menu, a notification pops up informing you to click on the 9-dot apps launcher to access Contacts. 

• I don't see the Snooze option (included on June 24, 2018).

If this is what you see:

You would need to turn ON Gmail's Conversation View from the General tab under Gmail Settings.

Be sure to click on the "Save changes" button at the bottom of the Settings page. Once done, you should have the Snooze option back.

• I can't find my labels OR the left panel for labels is collapsed.

The solution for the collapsed left panel is to click on the 3-bar "Hamburger" menu, that's to the left of the Gmail logo.

• I don't see New Gmail (or some features of it) on my account.

First, check if you are using the latest version of a supported browser which would commonly include Chrome, Firefox, IE/Edge and Safari.

Visit the General tab under Gmail settings and then scroll to find the Smart Compose, Experimental access and Nudges sections. Be sure you enable them and then click on the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.

The list of featured offered under New Gmail can be found in this article: Learn what's new in Gmail.

• I do not like the Hover menu options.

If you are inconvenienced by the "Hover" menu in new Gmail, you now have the option to turn it OFF from Gmail Settings. Under the General tab, in the "Hover actions:" section, select the "Disable hover actions" option and click on the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.

• Settings > Labs is gone!

Yes. The Labs tab is renamed as Advanced.

For more information on this, please read my first blog on new Gmail - Explaining the New Gmail - What does it mean for you (section B. The Inside, #10).

• I am unable to find my tasks in New Gmail.

This is a 3-step process. (a) Revert back to classic Gmail, click on Gmail at the top-left corner and click on Tasks. Then create a dummy task and click on the Trash Can icon at the bottom to delete it. (b) Once the task is deleted, you'll see a confirmation banner, with a link to see the "recently deleted items". Click on it. (c) You'll now be taken to the list displaying the recently deleted tasks. If you see your old tasks in there, click on the "Undelete tasks" icon to bring them back.

If you are unable to find your previous tasks under the "recently deleted items" list, there is no other way to recover those missing task items.

• I never want to use the new look.

When Google releases a new version of a product, like new Gmail, it typically goes through the following phases:

• Opt-in - you have the choice to start using it. Google will often suggest you try it.
• Opt-out - the feature is turned on for everyone, but you have the option to turn it off.
• Release - the feature is turned on for everyone and can no longer be removed.

It's likely the new Gmail look will follow that same sequence at a schedule determined by Google. So, the suggestion is to get acquainted with the new interface and features at your own pace now, rather than having to learn things overnight when the old (classic) Gmail is retired.

• I don't have new Gmail in my G Suite account (included on June 24, 2018).

These new features are being rolled out to G Suite users through an Early Adopter Program (EAP). To opt into the EAP, administrators need to enable the new Gmail for their domain or organization, then users need to opt in.

To opt into the Gmail Early Adopter Program:
Sign in to your Google Admin console using an administrator account.

• From the Admin console Home page, go to Apps > G Suite > Gmail.
• In User settings, scroll to New Gmail Early Adopter Program.
• Click Allow my users access to the new Gmail UI and features.
• Click Save. It may take up to one hour for changes to propagate to all users.

Here are the relevant screenshots:

• I don't like X, Y, Z features of New Gmail.

Let me include some examples here. People have been complaining about the absence of "Search" functionality in the hovercard. Where, unlike classic Gmail, clicking on the Email link opens the Compose window instead of running a search on emails sent to and received from that address

and the "Black notification box" in the lower-left corner, which also includes the "blue-on-black" Undo option.

For all issues presently without a solution, the way forward is to use the Send Feedback option to share your opinion and suggestions with the team at Google. From new Gmail, first, click on the Gmail Settings (Gears) button, then click on Send Feedback. In the next screen, be sure to highlight sections of the page which are essential to your feedback or block other sections to ensure your privacy. If your feedback doesn't require a screenshot, check that option off. Ensure your feedback is as detailed as possible to help the team understand why it is an inconvenience to you. You can also use this process to submit bug-reports which you may come across.

• I have other issues or problems.

This blog-post is also represented in part as a Gmail Help Forum post by me. In there, if you are having trouble with account access/recover, sending/receiving messages, lost messages, or anything else not specific to the user-interface changes in the new look, then please post a new question.