[ad_1]
Google has created a set of “lite” applications that are designed for your special Android Go configuration for phones with more limited resources. However, everyone could probably use such lightweight alternatives to Google’s main apps, assuming they’re willing to live with the compromises too. Fortunately, Google has made some of those apps available outside of Android Go phones, and for at least a day, it seemed like Gmail Go would become one of them. Unfortunately, that joy was short-lived, and Google shut down the app’s accidental availability.
Released in 2018, the Gmail Go app was actually a pretty weird version of the full version, and in a pretty good way. In terms of core functionality, it’s pretty much identical to the core Gmail experience, only half the size in terms of storage consumption. In other words, it almost makes the sheer size of the main Gmail app questionable.
Given the recent accusations of bloating Gmail with an unnecessary Meet tab, it was not surprising that many were enthusiastically launching Gmail Go when it became available for almost every Android phone. But then, just as it unexpectedly arrived, it was also removed without warning. You can’t install Gmail Go now unless you have an Android Go phone, at least not through the official and simple means.
Google confirmed with Android Police that removing the increased availability of Gmail Go was intentional. In fact, it was just a mistake that the app could even be installed on all Android phones. As for whether it plans to change that, Google is not saying so for now.
It’s definitely disappointing that Google hasn’t made Gmail Go more available yet, especially when other “Go” apps are. Perhaps because it paints the main Gmail app in a more negative light, it has decided not to shake the hornet’s nest anymore.
