Gmail for Android is currently undergoing testing of a new “mark as read” button within its notifications. This feature aims to enhance user experience by allowing individuals to manage their inboxes without needing to open the app. Despite being on the latest version of the app, this capability is not widely available yet, indicating it is part of an A/B testing phase with a select group of users. For those who struggle to keep up with a crowded inbox, the ability to mark emails as “read” without distractions is a significant time-saver.
Users can usually determine the importance of an email based on the sender and the subject line alone. Unfortunately, Gmail for Android currently lacks a shortcut in notifications to mark emails as read, which will hopefully change soon. Recently, a user named Kurt Gomez reported seeing the “mark as read” button in his Gmail notifications for one of his accounts, suggesting a gradual rollout that may differ from one user to another. Despite having the same version of the app, another user confirmed they did not see the button, indicating that Google is likely conducting this feature test on an account-by-account basis.
So far, reports of this feature remain scarce, with only a few users mentioning its existence. It seems that Google is assessing user engagement before making a wider rollout. This anticipated feature aligns Gmail for Android with its iOS version and similar email clients. If you haven’t accessed the new button yet, exploring the AutoNotification app could be a solution, offering customizable notifications.
For now, users can continue using traditional methods, such as opening emails or utilizing swipe gestures, to mark messages as read. Ideally, Google will continue to enhance the Gmail app by focusing on fundamental features.
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