How to add attachments from the Files app in Gmail for iOS

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Gmail iOS iPhone X
Google has been giving Gmail for iOS a lot of love lately.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Gmail is finally adding the ability to add attachments to emails straight from the Files app for iOS, giving users another crucial productivity tool.

Until now, the only way to send stuff from your Files app via Gmail was by using the sharing tool inside the Files app and creating a new email with it. Now users can reply to emails inside of Gmail for iOS and add attachments from Files without having to jump between apps. We’ll give you a quick rundown on how to use the nifty feature that’s starting to roll out to users globally.

Files attachments in Gmail

1: Compose or reply to an email.
2: Tap the attachment icon in the upper right.
3: Swipe down to the Attachments section.
4: Tap the folder icon to select an attachment from the Files app.
5: Select the file you want to attach and go back to composing your email.

The folder icon isn’t labeled “Files” and doesn’t have the same icon that the Files app uses, so some users might not understand what they’re selecting. Here’s a little GIF walkthrough of what the UI steps look like:

Adding Gmail attachments from the Files app is super-easy.
Adding Gmail attachments from the Files app is super-easy.
Photo: Google

Google says the Files attachment feature started rolling out to all iOS users on February 12. It may take up to 15 days for the feature to become visible in your Gmail app, though.

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