In recent iOS releases (now iPadOS), Apple has worked to improve multitasking on tablets. Split view allows you to use two applications at the same time, and Gmail on iPads now supports this feature.
Google is addressing a long-standing complaint with Gmail for iOS by adding support for Split View. That system-level feature was introduced with iOS 9, 2015, but Google’s email client was never able to support it until last month.
The company only officially announced this “Multitasking with Gmail” preview today, and it’s already widely available:
Using an iPad, you can now multitask with Gmail and other iOS apps. You can use Gmail and Google Calendar at the same time with Split View to check your schedule before replying to an email to confirm the meeting time. Or you can easily drag and drop Google Photos images into an email without leaving Gmail.
Version 6.0.200531 was released three weeks ago, although the release notes do not mention support for Split View. It’s a long-time addition that makes one of Google’s key apps a better citizen of the iOS platform.
Split View requires that you have the “Allow Multiple Applications” preference at the system level – Settings Application> Home Screen and Dock> Multitasking – enabled. After that, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen when Gmail is active to open the Dock and drag another app on the screen.
Google recommends that users take advantage of keyboard shortcuts for “even more efficiency while multitasking.” This feature is available to both G Suite customers and free Google accounts.
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