This Gemini trick completely changed how I manage emails

I never thought managing email, especially on the phone, could feel effortless. However, since Gemini rolled into Gmail, everything has changed.

I no longer scroll through endless threads or hunt for that one message with the meeting link. These AI-powered features stepped in and reshaped how I handle my inbox.

Skip the scroll and let Gemini summarize your emails

Gmail now generates an AI-powered summary card at the top of lengthy email threads. Tapping the button or automatic card displays the main points in bullets or short sentences.

Open a long thread and tap the Summarize this email chip. Gemini’s large language model reads the thread, extracts salient points, and outputs a concise recap.

The summary highlights key facts, decisions, and action items. These action items may include buttons like Remind me for calendar events or Visit site when the thread mentions a website.

I realized the value of this feature when I was looped into a never-ending thread about planning a weekend trip. Instead of scrolling through 20 messages about accommodation options, itinerary changes, and who’s bringing what, I asked for a summary. I got a neat recap:

Booked Airbnb in Perth for July 12–14. Sarah will handle groceries; everyone meets at Central by 9 am; bring sunscreen.

It saved me from reading through every reply and let me catch up in seconds. Needless to say, we let AI plan the trip. It was the most organized we’ve ever been.

You can now ask Gmail questions like a chatbot

Gmail Q&A (Ask Gemini in the mobile app) brings a chatbot-style assistant for email management. Tap the Gemini icon (a star or magic wand) in the upper-right corner to open a window for typing or selecting prompts about your emails.

You can use this feature to ask natural-language questions and receive responses based on your Gmail content. You can also use it to generate custom summaries, such as “Summarize all emails about the upcoming event.”

Gemini locates specific details such as PO numbers, flight times, or quoted prices. It can also filter messages by timeframe or sender. For example, “Show unread messages from this week” or “Emails from Sam last month.”

You can also ask follow-up questions about a thread, such as “What are the next steps mentioned in the recent project threads?”

I submitted some expense receipts and wasn’t sure if they’d been processed, so I used the regular search. Big mistake. It rounded up every receipt I’ve ever touched. Uber rides, takeout orders, even that $4 coffee from 2021. My inbox turned into a digital clutter drawer.

Out of frustration, I clicked on the Gemini icon and asked, “What’s the status of my expense claim from March?” In seconds, the exact email from finance surfaced.

Contextual reply suggestions based on the full conversation

Contextual Smart Reply upgrades Gmail’s classic Smart Reply with AI. Smart Reply was introduced in 2017. It used simple machine learning models to suggest simple answers.

The contextual version uses Gemini’s AI model to provide detailed responses based on the full email context. Tap Reply to an email. A carousel of three suggested replies appears at the bottom, each labeled with a brief intent summary.

Imagine getting an email from your dentist’s office reminding you about an upcoming appointment. Contextual Smart Reply might suggest, “Thanks for the reminder! I’ll be there at 10 am,” or if you need to reschedule, “Hi, I won’t be able to make it. Can we move the appointment to next week instead?”

Writing polished emails is now a tap away

The Help me write feature allows you to draft new emails or refine existing ones with prompts. Tap Compose and select Help me write to start a new draft. Enter prompts such as “A thank-you note for a job interview” or “Invite a colleague to lunch next week.”

Gemini generates a complete draft based on your input. If the draft misses the mark, tap Recreate to generate a new version with the same prompt.

Gemini handles grammar, structure, and tone to produce polished, ready-to-send emails. To improve a written draft, open it and tap Help me write. Then choose options, such as Polish, Formalize, Elaborate, or Shorten. You can accept the change or regenerate a new version.

These features need the right subscription and setup.

These features work best in English. They require an up-to-date Gmail app and a Google AI subscription, such as Google One or the Gemini for Workspace add-on.

According to Google, these features use Google’s privacy safeguards. The AI processes your content without sharing your data.