If Gmail won’t load, keeps crashing, or won’t let you sign in on your iPhone SE 3, you’re not the only one. Whether it’s a glitch after an iOS update or a problem with your internet connection, there are several ways to get Gmail working again. This guide walks you through the best troubleshooting tips to fix Gmail on your iPhone.
1. Check Gmail on Safari First
Before anything else, try logging into Gmail.com through Safari on your iPhone.
If it works there, the issue is likely with the Gmail app itself—not your account or the server.
If Gmail doesn’t load in Safari either, the issue could be related to your internet or Google’s servers. Try again later or check Google’s service status online.
2. Force Quit the Gmail App
Apps can freeze or glitch if left running too long in the background. Force quitting often clears temporary bugs.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause (or double-press the Home button).
- Find the Gmail app in the app switcher.
- Swipe up on Gmail to close it.
- Reopen Gmail and see if it works.
3. Restart Your iPhone
A quick reboot clears temporary bugs and frees up system memory.
- Press and hold the Side button.
- Slide to power off.
- After the phone shuts down, press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears.
If your phone is frozen or unresponsive:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
4. Refresh Your Internet Connection
Gmail needs a strong and stable internet connection to work.
Try the following:
- Toggle Wi-Fi off and on (Settings > Wi-Fi).
- Switch between Wi-Fi and Cellular Data.
- Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 30 seconds, then turn it off again.
Then re-open Gmail and try again.
5. Check for Gmail App Updates
Outdated apps often cause issues. To update Gmail:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right.
- Scroll to the list of apps with available updates.
- Tap Update next to Gmail, or choose Update All.
Once done, restart your iPhone and check Gmail again.
6. Offload Gmail and Reinstall It
If Gmail is lagging or crashing, it might be due to storage or cache issues. Offloading the app clears system files without deleting your data.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap Gmail, then tap Offload App.
- Confirm, then restart your iPhone.
- Tap the Gmail icon on your Home Screen to reinstall it.
7. Delete and Reinstall Gmail
If offloading doesn’t help, try deleting the app entirely.
- Long-press the Gmail icon.
- Tap Remove App > Delete App.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Open the App Store, search for Gmail, and reinstall it.
Once installed, sign back into your Google account.
8. Reset Network Settings (if Gmail won’t load at all)
If the app is failing to connect or refresh, your iPhone’s network settings might be messed up.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Your phone will restart and you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi. Then, try Gmail again.
9. Reset All Settings (if the issue started after an update or settings change)
This restores all system settings to default without deleting your data.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
After your iPhone restarts, open Gmail and test it out.
Still Not Working? Try This
- Remove and re-add your Google account in the iPhone Mail settings if you also use Gmail in Apple’s Mail app.
- Use Gmail through Safari as a temporary workaround.
- Check Google’s server status online—there may be a global outage.
- Contact Apple or Google Support if the issue persists.