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Why is Gmail not pushed to iPhone?

mrochester said:
I'm not asking how to do it (because I can follow the instructions myself), I am trying to find out why I need to do it in the first place.

There's only Fetch or Manual for my GMail account
My MobileMe account shows Push, Fetch and Manual.

What is it specifically about iOS devices that means there isn't a "Push" option under the GMail account? This is what I'd like to know!
Click to expand...

There is a push option, if you set it up properly. See my below reply:


Yumunum said:
I don't know if anyone has a real answer to that. It could be for a lot of reasons. Maybe Google's trying to make the experience bad so you'll switch to an Android phone ;)

Android does have the best Email experience, I hate to admit it... I missed the sweet Gmail app once I switched to iOS
Click to expand...

There is an answer: instead of using the normal Push protocol, Google instead licensed ActiveSync, which is owned by Microsoft. Obviously a phone OS made by either Google or Microsoft will employ this technology seamlessly. Apple used APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) and later implemented ActiveSync. So, because Google and Microsoft only have one protocol, and Apple has two, you must inevitably choose which protocol to use when setting up your email on an iPhone.
 
Gmail sync may get implemented by default into iOS5. They just need to change the linker for the Gmail icon on mail setup. Google was quite late in getting on the activesync bandwagon so that's why it's not on there right now.
 
Vader said:
Could you please take the time to read the responses you are getting?

Gmail uses ActiveSync (a Microsoft technology) which is just like Push, but not the same thing. That is why you must set it up through Microsoft Exchange on the iPhone. Naturally you would just set it up normally on the Android and WP7 as this is their implementation of what Apple calls Push.

Edit: Amazing how many very similar responses this gets at the same time. So many people trying to help, but the OP just doesn't want to read our answers!
Click to expand...

Rather ironically your post is the first one where someone has actually attempted to explain why this "workaround" is required on iOS devices rather than simply telling me what I need to do to make it work.

So GMail uses ActiveSync to push mail, but Apple haven't included said ActiveSync in iOS devices? However, Microsoft and Google have included ActiveSync in their respective devices, and hence it works without needing to setup an Exchange Server. And the reason Apple has gone with a different push solution is because ActiveSync is a Microsoft technology. So where does Apple's version of push technology come from? Is it prorietary Apple technology or are they using something different again?

And actually, I've just learnt that Apple doesn't really help matters by having a separate 'Gmail' option when setting up mail on the iPhone. So of course, because I have Gmail, I selected the Gmail option, but this subsequently means that push doesn't work!
 
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LinksAwakener said:
There is a push option, if you set it up properly. See my below reply:




There is an answer: instead of using the normal Push protocol, Google instead licensed ActiveSync, which is owned by Microsoft. Obviously a phone OS made by either Google or Microsoft will employ this technology seamlessly. Apple used APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) and later implemented ActiveSync. So, because Google and Microsoft only have one protocol, and Apple has two, you must inevitably choose which protocol to use when setting up your email on an iPhone.
Click to expand...

Don't mind me, I'm just a dumbo. lol. I see, thanks for explaining that very nicely.
 
mrochester said:
So GMail uses ActiveSync to push mail, but Apple haven't included said ActiveSync in iOS devices?
Click to expand...

/eyeroll

iOS does use ActiveSync but only when an account is setup as an Exchange account, which is what you need to receive push email for Gmail.

Yahoo accounts on iOS seemingly make use of IMAP IDLE but that isn't implemented for Gmail accounts on iOS for some reason, either that or Yahoo uses a different proprietary way of doing push.

I don't know if Android and WP7 set Gmail accounts up as Exchange accounts or if they utilize IMAP IDLE but my guess is on the former, regardless iOS has the same functionality you just need to setup your Gmail account as an Exchange account on your iOS device (there is no server configuration needed).
 
mrochester said:
Rather ironically your post is the first one where someone has actually attempted to explain why this "workaround" is required on iOS devices rather than simply telling me what I need to do to make it work.

So GMail uses ActiveSync to push mail, but Apple haven't included said ActiveSync in iOS devices? However, Microsoft and Google have included ActiveSync in their respective devices, and hence it works without needing to setup an Exchange Server. And the reason Apple has gone with a different push solution is because ActiveSync is a Microsoft technology. So where does Apple's version of push technology come from? Is it prorietary Apple technology or are they using something different again?

And actually, I've just learnt that Apple doesn't really help matters by having a separate 'Gmail' option when setting up mail on the iPhone. So of course, because I have Gmail, I selected the Gmail option, but this subsequently means that push doesn't work!
Click to expand...

Meh, like i said before...my gmail is pushed. The problem is your question. What you not-so-elegnatly have asked is "Why doesnt apple just automatically setup push with a button?".
Otherwise, gmail can be pushed, easily with no complicated workarounds. Any statement to the contrary is simply for the sake of being argumentative.
 
wvphysics said:
Meh, like i said before...my gmail is pushed. The problem is your question. What you not-so-elegnatly have asked is "Why doesnt apple just automatically setup push with a button?".
Otherwise, gmail can be pushed, easily with no complicated workarounds. Any statement to the contrary is simply for the sake of being argumentative.
Click to expand...

I think the problem is that when setting up email, Apple list a separate "Gmail" option without any indication that this actually lacks full functionality. The best solution would be for Apple to make it so that when the Gmail option is selected, it does all of the Exchange Server settings for you.
 
Android and WP7 offer the same "workaround" as you put it since it's not a default feature of Gmail. It's just that WP7 and Android have the Gmail option listed as the link to Activesync on Gmail. The problem with Apple listing this as a default option is that Activesync on Gmail doesn't always work and there have been many outages in the past since it's not an included default feature in Gmail. Gmail IMAP however is a supported feature of Gmail which hasn't gone down to my knowledge.
 
mrochester said:
I think the problem is that when setting up email, Apple list a separate "Gmail" option without any indication that this actually lacks full functionality. The best solution would be for Apple to make it so that when the Gmail option is selected, it does all of the Exchange Server settings for you.
Click to expand...

Yes! They should have "gmail for dummies" option. :rolleyes:
 
doboy said:
Yes! They should have "gmail for dummies" option. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

He has a point.

Why, whenever anyone I know gets a new iPhone, do I have to tell them "Don't click on G-Mail when setting up G-Mail!"

You think that's the non-dummy way for Apple to set that up? Why should I have to explain that to people?
 
It's because it's not a supported feature of Gmail. It's just an add-on and from time to time it goes down. There's a reason why it's not in the Gmail settings menus right now.
 
Small White Car said:
He has a point.

Why, whenever anyone I know gets a new iPhone, do I have to tell them "Don't click on G-Mail when setting up G-Mail!"

You think that's the non-dummy way for Apple to set that up? Why should I have to explain that to people?
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I have no idea how push email, imap or POP3 mail systems work (hence the reason why I've had to post this question to begin with) and my experience with Apple products is that the obvious option is usually the correct one. However, this appears to be one instance where that isn't the case (and I've only found this out by posting this question!).
 
Small White Car said:
He has a point.

Why, whenever anyone I know gets a new iPhone, do I have to tell them "Don't click on G-Mail when setting up G-Mail!"

You think that's the non-dummy way for Apple to set that up? Why should I have to explain that to people?
Click to expand...

That's like asking why does android have two separate email setup's? their system is so retarded it's not even funny.
 
Small White Car said:
He has a point.

Why, whenever anyone I know gets a new iPhone, do I have to tell them "Don't click on G-Mail when setting up G-Mail!"

You think that's the non-dummy way for Apple to set that up? Why should I have to explain that to people?
Click to expand...

I'm sure Apple will change that in due time since it was a recent implementation from Google. Not sure why you have to tell everyone you know about setting up gmail sync. Most people don't need it pushed and 15 min fetching is more than enough for the majority. Also I find that IMAP implementation is more user friendly and prefer it (although I use sync for speed).
 
truciet said:
That's like asking why does android have two separate email setup's? their system is so retarded it's not even funny.
Click to expand...

No kidding. I have two android devices. Also you can't even zoom in gmail app.:(
 
doboy said:
Not sure why you have to tell everyone you know about setting up gmail sync.
Click to expand...

Because they say "Hey, Small White Car. I want to get my G-Mail instantly like I did on my old Blackberry. Do I just click 'G-Mail' to set it up?"

I would love to say "Yep! Click 'G-Mail' and it'll ask if you want to setup Fetch IMAP or Push Exchange. Just pick the one you want!"

But I guess I'll have to wait for that a little longer.
 
Small White Car said:
Because they say "Hey, Small White Car. I want to get my G-Mail instantly like I did on my old Blackberry. Do I just click 'G-Mail' to set it up?"

I would love to say "Yep! Click 'G-Mail' and it'll ask if you want to setup Fetch IMAP or Push Exchange. Just pick the one you want!"

But I guess I'll have to wait for that a little longer.
Click to expand...

Tell them two words, "search google" :p
 
Small White Car said:
But that's exactly the point. "Search Google" shouldn't be one of the first things you have to tell a new iPhone user. That's pretty much the opposite of every iPhone commercial.
Click to expand...

Bingo. That just isn't in the spirit of an Apple product. It should be immediately obvious which option to select, and I think in this instance, they have faltered slightly.

It was only when I realised email was being pushed to my WP7 and Android phones that I started to question why it wasn't working on the iPhone, and was compounded by the fact that Apple had specifically invited me to select a "gmail" option when setting up mail, which I would expect to work fully.
 
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mrochester said:
Bingo. That just isn't in the spirit of an Apple product. It should be immediately obvious which option to select, and I think in this instance, they have faltered slightly.

It was only when I realised email was being pushed to my WP7 and Android phones that I started to question why it wasn't working on the iPhone, and was compounded by the fact that Apple had specifically invited me to select a "gmail" option when setting up mail, which I would expect to work fully.
Click to expand...

I do agree that it's not straight-forward like it should be, but there is a reason why it's not as clear cut as Apple usually is. Google uses two different ways of pushing email: the first was Google Sync, a brainchild of Google to avoid ActiveSync, which is what is used by the "Google" option when setting up the iPhone. The second, which was adopted after the iPhone 3G came out, does use ActiveSync (the "Exchange" option). Again, not trying to excuse the matter, just explaining it, FYI in case you were curious...
 
LinksAwakener said:
I do agree that it's not straight-forward like it should be, but there is a reason why it's not as clear cut as Apple usually is. Google uses two different ways of pushing email: the first was Google Sync, a brainchild of Google to avoid ActiveSync, which is what is used by the "Google" option when setting up the iPhone. The second, which was adopted after the iPhone 3G came out, does use ActiveSync (the "Exchange" option). Again, not trying to excuse the matter, just explaining it, FYI in case you were curious...
Click to expand...

So I assume it's anticipated that Apple will fix this soon so that the Gmail option points to the correct push service? To me it just looked like there was something wrong with my iPhone and iPad!
 
mrochester said:
So I assume it's anticipated that Apple will fix this soon so that the Gmail option points to the correct push service? To me it just looked like there was something wrong with my iPhone and iPad!
Click to expand...

You have to realize that if Apple wants people to sync with Gmail using Google Sync, because it's Google's own protocol, they have to include it in iOS. And there really isn't a better name to call it since Google is the only one who uses it.

So the option is to keep it as it is, or remove the "Google" option which could break the connection for those people who currently USE that option. So, I have no idea what they'll do, but if I were them I wouldn't change it.
 
Wow, it took the OP so long to understand that setting up his email as a microsoft exchange account would allow emails to be quickly pushed to his phone. (even after he was presented with an OFFICIAL google page detailing the setup process in the 2ND reply to his post).

We get it OP, gmail pushes fine on your W7 and android phones. It pushes fine on iOS too, when set up as a microsoft exchange account!
 
UCLAKoolman said:
Wow, it took the OP so long to understand that setting up his email as a microsoft exchange account would allow emails to be quickly pushed to his phone. (even after he was presented with an OFFICIAL google page detailing the setup process in the 2ND reply to his post).

We get it OP, gmail pushes fine on your W7 and android phones. It pushes fine on iOS too, when set up as a microsoft exchange account!
Click to expand...

I already understood there was a "workaround", I just wanted to know why that was the case. And the reason is because the GMail option when setting up email on an iOS doesn't provide full GMail functionality.
 
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