Separating emails from multiple accounts on GMail app, on iOS 17.6.1

November 28, 2024 9:32 AM

I have a few Gmail accounts on my iPhone 2nd gen SE (one for my father, one for admin etc). I get constant updates from my dad's GPS tracker, which I do need to see in real-time (vs having them go into my junk folder or elsewhere). However I am missing important emails because all the emails are blended together on the GMail app (which I am super used to). I want to split up the inboxes i.e. be able to go the inbox of my main Gmail account, and only see important emails from that account, but still be able to switch into the inboxes of other accounts easily, AND, see real-time email notifications from my dad's tracker.

Years ago, I understood how filters worked and that was fine, but now Gmail randomly decides frequent emails are junk -- which the tracker emails are not -- and sends them into junk, trash, or some other random category.

If I tag or filter these notifications in the Gmail ios app, will I see them as they arrive? I can have them go to a different Gmail address -- the problem is they all end up blended together in my inbox on the Gmail app (this is what I want to change! I want to split up the inboxes.)

So far I have missed three super important, time-sensitive emails, finding them days later.

Like if I use Outlook for iOS, that's fine, I know it will properly filter things -- but will I still get the tracker notifications in real time as they come (and see them)?

I also like sticking with the Gmail ecosystem because files in the emails can just go to Drive, which is shareable with Android users who very occasionally need to see them. If I use Outlook, they'll go to Microsoft's cloud I guess?

Will Iphone's mail app do what I want? Initially I didn't like how it worked, haven't tried it in a bit. Files would then go to iCloud I suppose?

TIA

posted by cotton dress sock to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Years ago, I understood how filters worked and that was fine, but now Gmail randomly decides frequent emails are junk -- which the tracker emails are not -- and sends them into junk, trash, or some other random category.

There is a filter setting "Never send it to Spam" that you can use to make sure emails are never marked as spam.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:53 AM on November 28 [1 favorite]

If I’m understanding what you’re looking for, the Apple Mail app will do this by default, no filters needed. Each account has its own inbox. There’s also a combined inbox but you don’t have to use it.
posted by sriracha at 10:32 AM on November 28 [3 favorites]

Are these accounts you're forwarding to your personal Gmail account, or separate accounts added through the Gmail app on your phone? If I add another account on my phone, I can switch between them by tapping the profile picture in the top right. That should also let you set notification preferences separately for each account.
posted by sagc at 12:22 PM on November 28

I would write a rule for any email address the notifications can come from to apply a specific label and never send to spam.

Gmail's iOS app also has one combined inbox and an option to view each individual inbox. You switch between the combined inbox and a single one using the hamburger menu in the top left. Then to switch between each inbox, you use the circle in the top right.

If that isn't the solution for you, then I would start by moving the most important email account to the Apple Mail app. If the gmail app is still too mixed up, then move another account to another mail app. There are a lot of them out there. If it is still a gmail address, you should be able to move those files to drive even if you're not using the gmail app.
posted by soelo at 8:26 PM on November 28 [1 favorite]