Google is bringing a long-overdue feature to the Gmail app on Android.
Users can now create labels directly within the app — a capability that has been available on the web and iOS for years.
The update marks a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement for Android users.
For users deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem, Gmail remains a central productivity tool. While the web version offers robust customization options and the mobile apps are generally polished, feature parity has not always been consistent across platforms.
At times, the Android app has lacked certain features available on iOS and the web — and vice versa.
According to a report by 9to5Google, that gap is beginning to close. The Gmail app on Android now allows users to create labels directly from their phones.
How new feature works
Users can access the new option by opening the hamburger menu inside the Gmail app.
A “Create label” option should now appear in the menu. After selecting it, users can name their new label and start organizing emails accordingly.
This makes it easier to manage inboxes, categorize messages and streamline daily workflows without needing to switch to a desktop browser.
Still missing
While the addition of label creation is a welcome update, the feature is not fully aligned with the web version.
The Android app currently does not allow users to set custom label colors — a feature available on Gmail’s web interface.
According to 9to5Google, label color customization is also not available on iOS, meaning both mobile platforms still lack that specific capability.
The new feature is being rolled out on an “account-by-account basis.”
This means some users may see the label creation option on one Gmail account but not on another within the same app.
As with many Google updates, availability may vary. Users are encouraged to update their Gmail app to the latest version and wait for the feature to appear if it has not yet rolled out to their account.
