Gmail gets new animations for swipe actions

Google recently introduced new animations for swipe actions on its Android app. This is a minor update but it offers a refreshing visual experience on Gmail. It’s not available on the Gmail app for iOS yet.

Gmail offers mail swipe actions which are shortcuts to archive, delete, mark as read/unread, move to, and snooze mails. These swipe actions are distinguished by a background colour. Google offers two swipe actions for left and right that can be customised in the settings menu. In the new update, Google has added animated icons for the swipe actions, 9to5Google reported.

The new animations for the swipe actions are now live on the Gmail for Android app. You’ll need the latest version 2021.03.07 of the app to see the new swipe actions. There’s no word on when the swipe actions will be available on the iOS app. Deleting a mail will show the trash can lid opening, while archiving moves the arrow to a box. Snoozing a mail will show the animation of a clock spinning, and marking a mail read/unread shows the envelope icon opening and closing.

This update comes shortly after Google integrated ‘Chat’ and ‘Rooms’ in Gmail. The new Chat and Rooms tabs can be activated from the settings menu of the Gmail app. The Chat tab will show individual messages and small group chats as well. Rooms is for larger conversations with groups along with the ability to share chat, files and tasks. These features have been available for Google Workspace users, and have been rolled out to free users as well.