What is Gmail?

Gmail is Google email

Gmail is the name of Google’s email service. Its main web page is at https://mail.google.com, and Gmail email addresses always end in @gmail.com.

You might already have Gmail

If you use an Android phone, you might already have a Gmail address. This is because the username of your Google Account, which you use when you first set up your phone, is also a Gmail email address.

If you don’t have a Google Account, you can get one for free if you sign up for Gmail.

How to access Gmail

Gmail was designed to be accessed using a web browser, at https://mail.google.com. When smartphones came along, Google also made an official Gmail app, which comes pre-installed on all Android phones and tablets.

This app also works on the iPhone and iPad, and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

eSafety tip

Your device’s app store has lots of different unofficial email apps. It’s best to only use the official Gmail app with Gmail, as Google has very strong security, encryption, and the app will get the newest updates and features as Google rolls them out.

If you use a web browser, it’s best to access your Gmail through the official site at https://mail.google.com.

Using Gmail on a computer

You can use Gmail on a desktop or laptop computer by opening a web browser and typing https://mail.google.com into the Address bar.

You then sign in to your Google Account using your Gmail address and password, and you’ll see your Gmail Inbox, with new and unread email showing in bold.

We will show you how to do this in the How to create a Gmail account activity in this course.

Gmail is also your Google Account

Your Gmail address (which ends in @gmail.com) is also the username you can use with other Google web services and web apps, such as Google Photos.

You can find out more about Google’s suite of web apps in our Google cloud apps course.

Why choose Gmail for your email?

Because your Gmail address and password also sign in securely to your Google Account, you can use your Gmail as your main online identity.

Many sites offer a Sign in with Google option, which means Google handles the security and you don’t need to think up a new password or let that site see your Google password either.

eSafety tip

When you click Sign in with Google, depending on your browser settings, you might be signed in automatically. Otherwise, you might see a secure pop-up box where you can safely enter your Google password in a way that doesn’t let the other site see it.

After you use Sign in with Google, you will get an email to your Gmail address letting you know that the service was used to sign in to a website.

Gmail can help with online privacy

Gmail is safe to use because it doesn’t show your real location, and you don’t have to use your real name as part of the address.

You can also choose how your name to appears in the From field of emails you send. For example, instead of Judy Hatfield, you might set it to JudyH or The Hatfield Family.

You can find out how to do this in the How to create a Gmail account activity next this course.

Using Gmail and Chrome together

If you use your Gmail address and password to sign in to Google’s Chrome browser on your computer, you can use the Chrome’s password manager to handle all your online passwords, which can be easier than having to type them in yourself. Your Gmail address and password become the master password of the Chrome password manager.

You can find out more in our Free password managers activity.

eSafety tip

When you create your Gmail password, make sure to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that is meaningful to you but difficult for others to guess. Keep a copy of the password somewhere safe and consider changing the password regularly.

Using Gmail with your Android phone

If you use an Android phone, you can use your Gmail address and password to set up your profile and complete the initial sign in to the phone.

This will also sync email between your computer and your phone's included Gmail app, let you purchase apps from the Play Store, and turn on many other Google features.

Using Gmail with your Apple device

If you use an iPhone or iPad, you can download the official Gmail app from the Apple App Store and sign in to the app securely with your Gmail address and password. This will sync your email to your Apple device, so you can read it on your phone or tablet, as well as on your computer.

The Gmail app has been designed specifically for the smaller screens on smart devices. It will be much easier to use than trying to use the web browser version on your iPhone or iPad.

Well done!

This is the end of the What is Gmail? activity. You’ve learned what Gmail is and how you can access your Gmail email.

Up next, find out How to create a Gmail account, including tips on what to do first.