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How to enable pinch-to-zoom in the latest Gmail update on Android

Gmail settings screenshot - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereThe Android Gmail app just got an update in the Play Store, enabling some much-requested features that, until now, have only been available to our friends carrying Nexus devices. Namely, the update allows those of you on Android 4.0 and higher to auto-fit your email messages to your screen, pinch to zoom, and the ability to swipe messages to archive or delete.

The official changelog also mentions the ability to attach photos and videos from within Gmail, larger photo previews and gallery views for photo attachments, and the routine bug fixes and performance improvements. But that’s not what we’re really excited about.

However, if you’re anything like me, you eagerly accepted the update, but were subsequently stumped when actually trying to pinch and zoom – it doesn’t seem to work at first. That’s because you have to enable it yourself in the settings; it’s not enabled by default.

Just press your menu button and navigate to Settings General settings Auto-fit messages. Make sure the box is checked next to that. You can also change your swiping settings right above that.

That’s all there is to it. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally have pinch-to-zoom and message swiping in Gmail. Now, if only we could get the official Jelly Bean build for the HTC EVO 4G LTE – then my technological life would be complete. For now, at least.

qrc Gmail - for some reason we don't have an alt tag here

Download: Play Store

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John F

John was the editor-in-chief at Pocketables. His articles generally focus on all things Google, including Chrome and Android, although his love of new gadgets and technology doesn't stop there. His current arsenal includes the Nexus 6 by Motorola, the 2013 Nexus 7 by ASUS, the Nexus 9 by HTC, the LG G Watch, and the Chromebook Pixel, among others.

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