Gmail on the web originally had a rather unorganized left column for accessing Mail, Chat, Rooms, and Meet. Google announced a redesign for a cleaner look in January this year. The changes started rolling out a couple of weeks later. It added a new navigation rail to the left end of the screen, introducing separate buttons for Mail, Chat, Spaces, and Meet. A collapsible panel next to this rail housed Gmail folders and labels. The company says this approach makes it easier to stay on top of what’s important to you. In June this year, Google followed up with another round of visual changes for Gmail on the web. It introduced the Material You design elements that you see in the Android app as well. The company also offered a Gmail-only view allowing you to remove the shortcuts for Chat, Spaces, and Meet if you do not use those often. The plan was to make this integrated redesign the default interface for Gmail on the desktop while also giving users more customization options. But all this while, Google allowed you to switch back to the original design with just a few clicks. It asked for optional feedback on why you’re going back. But not anymore. The company is making the changes permanent. Once the latest update is live for you, you can no longer access the original Gmail view on the web. The ability to add or remove Chat, Spaces, and Meet shortcuts as well as customize the Gmail theme, inbox type and other settings aren’t going away, of course.
The new Gmail user interface is now rolling out
Google started rolling out the new standard experience for Gmail on the web to users on Rapid Release domains this Tuesday. All eligible users should see the change over the next couple of weeks. The changes will be live on Scheduled Release domains starting on November 29. Everyone will get the new design with no option to go back by mid-December. Apart from Google Workspace Essentials customers, the option to switch to the original Gmail view will be gone for all other Google Workspace customers.
