Learn how to enable the Gmail extension in Gemini and what you can do to get more out of AI in this field.
In this guide, I’m going to explain all the Gemini features in Gmail . I’m referring to all the features that are enabled when you activate the Google Workspace extension in Gmail . Obviously, I’m not going to limit myself to just talking about features; I’ll give you ideas to help you get more out of this feature. If you’re already used to using Gemini in your daily work , what I tell you here will be of great interest to you. I’ll help you get even more out of it by having AI interact with your email or help you manage it.
- How to activate Gemini features in Gmail?
- Ideas to get the most out of Gemini with Gmail
- Search for the trips you made
- Locate products you have purchased
- What was the last email I received?
- Check specific folders in your Gmail
- Gemini with Gmail, better from mobile
How to activate Gemini features in Gmail?
As I mentioned in the introduction, for Gemini to communicate with Gmail , you need to activate the corresponding extension. Before continuing, let’s make sure this is the case for you. I invite you to go to gemini.google.com or open the app on your mobile device and log in with your account, if you haven’t already. Then, click on Settings , a button you’ll see in the chatbot’s side menu. Then, in the menu, you’ll see Extensions . Click on it.
Gemini Settings
Next, make sure the Google Workspace extension is enabled. As you can see, Gemini can interact with major Google apps, including Gmail . While we’re going to focus on that one in this guide, I’ve already explained how to take advantage of Google’s AI with other productivity apps , like Google Tasks .
Activate the Workspace extension
Once you’re sure you have the extension activated, it’s time to get started. Gemini will now be connected to Gmail, and you’ll be able to start making requests related to your email. Want to know what its potential is? Don’t miss what I’m telling you now.
Ideas to get the most out of Gemini with Gmail
AI understands natural language very well. It also relies on the context of the conversation we’re having and understands our intentions beyond a request. Below, I suggest several prompts that will help you improve your productivity and get more out of the Gemini integration in Gmail .
Search for the trips you made
Gmail is where you receive travel confirmations . So, you can use Gemini to browse through it and remember the trips you’ve taken over the past few years. For example, you could ask it something like this:
- Search Gmail for trips I booked in 2022
Then, you have the opportunity to explore other years by simply texting “And in 2023” or “Search now in 2015.” Gemini will know you’re still scrolling through your emails and that you’re obviously expecting travel confirmations, not other types of messages.
On the other hand, if you don’t know exactly when you made the trip, you can also ask something like this:
- Search Gmail for when I made the trip to Prague
It’s possible that AI can make mistakes when localizing messages. For example, if you sent someone an email recommending sites in Prague, you might think you made the trip that year. Personally, I’ve had this happen. However, the accuracy rate is usually quite high.
Locate products you have purchased
It’s that easy to search for emails with Gemini
We continue to take advantage of the vast amount of information Gmail holds about us . Another type of email you’re sure to receive frequently is the one confirming your orders. Want to know when you bought that phone you liked so much? Well, ask something like this:
- Search Gmail for when you bought the Samsung Galaxy S23
Of course, you’ll have to adapt the prompt to the product you want to search for. In my case, it worked perfectly. Gemini not only told me the purchase date, but also mentioned when the device arrived and when the first Klarna payments were made . Points to the AI.
What was the last email I received?
Another useful feature of Gemini is checking your recent emails . You can ask it, for example, to tell you the subject, summarize the content of the most recent message, or show you the sender. For example, one request that works well is this:
- What is the last email I received?
Using this simple request, the results are usually correct. It’s possible that some less recent emails will also appear, but since the last email received in Gmail has been included , I think we can ignore it. You can then ask it for a few more things, such as a summary of the content of that last message.
Check specific folders in your Gmail
Another thing you can ask Gemini to do is scan Gmail folders or labels for emails . For example, you can ask it to show you the latest messages labeled in a specific way. In my case, I use the Mercadona digital receipt . To keep them from going through my inbox, I created a filter that sends messages from this supermarket to a similar label. Thanks to that, I was able to ask Gemini this:
- What was the last email tagged as Mercadona?
This way, I have a quick overview of my recent purchases at this supermarket. I must say that, in this case, the AI did a precise job of searching . And it not only showed me the most recent message, but also included the next ones on the list.
Gemini with Gmail, better from mobile
All the tests I’ve done for this guide have been from a computer . The truth is that the results the AI gives you will depend largely on how you phrase your requests. I’ll tell you right now that, whether you’re using a desktop or a mobile device, Gemini will get it right and get it wrong , sometimes in equal measure. However, on your phone, especially if it’s Android, you have an added feature: using Gemini as an assistant . So, just press the power button for the AI to get to work and, above all, to “listen.” You don’t have to type like you do on a PC; just ask for what you want out loud.
