Gmail for Android Is Getting a Handy “Mark as Read” Button in Notifications

What you need to Know

• Gmail for Android is adding a new “Mark as read” button in notifications.

• The new button appears alongside existing actions like Reply, Archive, or Delete.

• This feature is more convenient than archiving or deleting low-priority emails.

• This update improves email triage and productivity for busy users.

• The update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance Gmail usability.

---

Google is updating Gmail for Android with a minor but useful change that might make it even easier to manage your messages. In a quiet but appreciated quality-of-life update, the company is adding a new "Mark as read" button natively inside of Gmail notifications. The new feature is being found by some users and might soon arrive as a popular addition to the Android Gmail experience.

A Step Forward in Notification Control

So far, Gmail for Android notifications provided users with the ability to interact with messages in two main ways: "Reply" and a choice to either "Archive" or "Delete"—adjustable via Settings > General settings > Default notification action. But in many cases, these actions seemed too drastic, particularly when you just needed to mark a message as seen without doing anything more with it.

The fresh "Mark as read" button now is situated as the first control in the row of notification controls. It enables users to quickly dismiss or manage emails without having to open the Gmail app. This minor adjustment can go a long way in boosting productivity by empowering users to triage emails faster, particularly during peak work hours or when multitasking.

Why This Matters for Users

Adding a "Mark as read" feature is not merely a usability patch—it's symptomatic of Google's emphasis on enhancing user agency and simplifying email management. For senders who get lots of emails, particularly newsletters or automated messages, this feature provides a less invasive alternative to archiving or deleting emails, without sacrificing the visibility of ongoing discussions.

Also, being able to quickly flag emails as read can be helpful in many situations—such as when you glimpse a subject line that doesn't merit a reply, or when you're simply trying to eliminate notification clutter on the move.

Limited Rollout

So far, the feature is being rolled out as a server-side update and has been seen only by a few users, according to Android Authority. It is not yet available on the majority of devices and might take some time to reach the masses. Google has a history of slow feature rollouts, particularly for essential apps such as Gmail. So users may have to remain patient as the update spreads more extensively.

This is not the first that Gmail has rolled out improvements in stages. Earlier upgrades, like scheduling emails or AI-powered Smart Compose suggestions, also took a similar gradual rollout route. So, if you haven't received the "Mark as read" feature yet, chances are it will reach your device in the weeks or months to come.

Material You Keeps Growing Parallelly

As this new Gmail feature is making waves, Google is also pushing its Material 3 Expressive design update on more Android devices. This is all part of the wider visual overhaul under the Material You initiative that centers around adaptive color schemes, rounded UI components, and a more personalized user experience.

As Gmail incorporates these changes, not only will users gain from more functional additions such as the new notification action, but they will also benefit from visually consistent and fresh design aspects that fit alongside the most up-to-date Android design.

Gmail's new "Mark as read" button in Android notifications might not sound like much, but it's one of those incremental details that might revolutionize the everyday experience of managing emails. For power users or working professionals who deal with hundreds of emails every day, having greater control in the very first step from the notification shade makes a real difference.

Though still in the initial rollout stage, this feature is an encouraging indication of Google's ongoing dedication to enhancing user experiences and enhancing app usability through intelligent, useful innovations.

Tune in to AndroBranch for new developments on Gmail, Android features, and everything tech!