Gmail on Android finally gets a crucial feature six years after iOS

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Gmail for Android is finally catching up to the iOS version with the addition of a useful feature.
• You can now create new labels directly on the Android app.
• The Android app still doesn’t allow changing the label’s color, but it’s a positive first step anyway.

Labels in Gmail are an effective way to tame inbox overwhelm. While they’re not as powerful as automatic filters or Google’s new AI‑powered sorting features, labels help you organize incoming mail and keep important messages easy to find.

Creating a label

The option appears in Gmail’s overflow menu, accessed by tapping the hamburger button (three horizontal bars) in the top‑left corner. Above the existing labels, a new Create label entry is shown. Tap it, enter a name for the label, and hit Save. The newly created label will appear alongside the other labels in the same menu.

Managing labels

To edit or delete a label:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose the Gmail address.
3. Select Manage labels.

From here you can rename the label, adjust its sync frequency, or delete it. Note that there is currently no option to customize a label’s color.

Assigning a label to an email

1. Long‑press the email you want to label.
2. Tap the three‑dot button in the top‑right corner.
3. Choose Label as.
4. Select one or more labels and tap OK.

Availability

The feature is visible on one of the author’s three Gmail accounts and works across all Android devices using that account. It appears in version 2026.01.26.862970449.Release of the Gmail app for Android and seems to be a server‑side rollout. It’s unclear whether this is the start of a gradual rollout or a test. Google has not yet updated the feature’s support page, but an update is expected soon.