How to Get Gmail as a Desktop App on Windows
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Key Takeaways
- While Gmail does not have an official desktop app for managing emails on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook computers, you can integrate your Gmail account into email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird.
- You can also install Gmail's desktop website on Windows as a PWA app using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, providing a native app-like experience.
Do you want to use Gmail as a desktop app, much like how you use other email clients like Outlook? Does Google officially offer a Gmail app for computer users? As a Gmail user, you've probably asked yourself these questions. Let's dig in and look at how you can get a desktop Gmail experience.
Does Gmail Have an Official Desktop App?
No, Gmail doesn’t offer an official app to manage your emails on your Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook computer. While there is an Outlook desktop app for Outlook accounts and Apple Mail for iCloud email accounts, there is no desktop app by Google for Gmail accounts.
However, note that Gmail does allow you to use your email account in various email clients you can install on your computer. This means if you have an email client like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird, you can integrate your account into these apps. You can then send and receive all your Gmail emails through that desktop app.
If you’re an Android, iPhone, or iPad user, you do have the option of using the official Gmail app for your device.
How to Download Gmail as a Desktop App for Windows (via PWA)
While Google offers no official Gmail app for computers, you can use a workaround to turn Gmail’s desktop site into a PWA app on Windows. You'll be able to launch and use it, similar to how you would a normal app. You’ll want to do this if you dislike other email clients’ interfaces and would prefer Gmail’s native email style.
The way this workaround works is you use either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your PC, launch Gmail, and make a desktop app out of Gmail’s website. Your app then acts and works as if it’s a native Windows app, and you can even uninstall it when you don’t need it.
Turn Gmail Into a Desktop App Using Chrome
If you’re a Chrome browser user, use the following steps to make an unofficial Gmail app for your Windows PC.
First, launch Chrome and access Gmail.com. Ensure you’re signed in to your account on the site.
When Gmail’s inbox loads, in Chrome’s top-right corner, click the three dots and choose More Tools > Create Shortcut.
On the "Create Shortcut" window, click the text field and type the name you want to use for your Gmail app. Enable the "Open as Window" option, then click "Create."
And that’s all. Your native Windows Gmail app is now ready. You can find it in your PC’s "Start" menu by entering in the app name you chose above.
Once you launch the app, it’ll load your Gmail inbox, and you can read and send new emails from within this app. You’re all set.
Create a Gmail Desktop App Using Edge
If you’re a loyal Edge user, you don’t have to leave your web browser to make a Gmail app. Use an option within Edge to turn Gmail’s site into a native app.
To do that, while inside Edge, launch Gmail.com. Make sure you’ve signed in to your account on the site.
When your inbox loads, in Edge’s top-right corner, click Apps > Install This Site as an App.
On the open window, select the text field and enter a name for your new app. Then, choose "Install."
If you’d like to add a custom icon for your app , then on the open window, select "Edit" and choose your ICO or PNG icon file.
Edge has now created and installed your unofficial Gmail app on your PC. To open it, access the "Start" menu, enter the name you chose for your app, and select your app in the search results.
Your Gmail experience is now open as a desktop app. Enjoy.
How to Uninstall Gmail's Desktop App
Later in the future, if you no longer wish to keep Gmail as a desktop app on your computer, it’s easy to remove the app. Since the app works just like your other native apps, you can use the same method you use for other apps to delete this app.
To remove Gmail from your Windows 11 PC, head into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps. There, next to Gmail, click the three dots and choose "Uninstall." Select "Uninstall" in the prompt.
On Windows 10, open Settings > Apps. Select Gmail on the list, click "Uninstall," and choose "Uninstall."
Windows has removed your Gmail app from your PC, and you’re all set.
And that’s how you bring Gmail’s emailing experience as a native desktop app to your Windows PC. We hope you enjoy sending and receiving emails using your newly-made app.
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