Gmail Needs to Borrow This Outlook Feature—Right Away!

Abdullah Mustapha

February 13, 2025

Even small changes can improve an app’s usability. Outlook recently introduced a simple but powerful feature. Users can now minimize email drafts on mobile. This feature is something Gmail users have wanted for a long time but still don’t have.

Gmail Users Seek Outlook’s Draft Minimization for Improved Usability

Gmail on mobile has a frustrating limitation. When composing an email, you might need to check another message or copy information. But Gmail forces you to exit the draft completely. To continue, you must find it in the drafts folder and reopen it. This process is inconvenient and interrupts your workflow.

Many users have found this frustrating, especially when working on long emails that require referencing multiple sources. The constant back and forth between the inbox and draft folder disrupts concentration and makes the process more time-consuming than it should be. For professionals who rely on quick communication, this limitation can be a significant hurdle.

Outlook’s Simple Fix

Outlook has solved this problem with a draft minimization feature. It is available for Android Beta users on version 4.2447.0 or later. iOS TestFlight users need version 4.2449.0 or later. The feature is also rolling out to more users.

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The update is easy to use. A new minimize button appears at the top-right corner of drafts. Tapping it hides the draft but keeps it accessible. Users can check their inbox or calendar without losing progress. To resume, they simply tap a button in the Mail or Calendar tab.

This small tweak makes a big difference. Now, users can quickly switch between composing emails and reviewing past messages without hassle. It brings mobile email apps closer to the functionality long enjoyed by desktop users.

Why Gmail Should Add This Feature

This raises a question: Why hasn’t Gmail added this yet? Google has the resources to implement it easily. A draft minimization option would improve productivity and user experience. It would allow seamless email multitasking.

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Gmail’s lack of this feature stands out because Google is known for prioritizing user experience. While Gmail continues to innovate in other areas, this simple quality-of-life improvement has been overlooked. Adding this feature would make Gmail’s mobile experience smoother, more efficient, and more in line with modern user expectations.

Outlook is leading the way with this update. It’s time for Gmail to follow. Until then, Outlook users can enjoy a better, smoother email experience. With mobile communication playing a critical role in both personal and professional life, small changes like this can have a significant impact.

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