With the release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple now allows users to set third-party apps as the default browser and email app on their iPhone and iPad. There is good news for Gmail users, as the popular email app can now be set as the default email client on iOS devices.
The latest version of the Gmail app, which is now available in the App Store, adds the ability to allow Gmail to act as the default iOS email client. (Developers must enable the feature in their apps, and be approved by Apple.)
After downloading the update from the App Store, simply open the Settings app, scroll down the screen until you see the Gmail menu option in the apps list, tap that, then tap “Default Mail App” on the Gmail options screen and then tapping “Gmail” in the default email list.
If you’re an “all Google, all the time” type of user, you can also set the Google Chrome browser as your default web browser by following the steps above, but substituting “Chrome” for “Gmail” in the instructions.
Be aware that there is currently a bug in iOS 14 that resets the default browser and email apps back to Safari and Mail, respectively, every time you restart your iPhone or iPad. Apple is aware of the bug and is working on a fix.