Ben Schoon
Google has quietly announced that it will pull the plug on the basic HTML
version of Gmail starting in 2024.
In an email to some users (as noted on HackerNews), Google confirmed that it
would be shutting down the basic HTML version of Gmail starting in "early
January" 2024. The exact date isn't noted, but Google confirmed the same
information on a support page highlighted by the blog TenFourFox (via
Android Police).
The email sent to some users explains:
"We're writing to let you know that the Gmail Basic HTML view for desktop
web and mobile web will be disabled starting early January 2024. The Gmail
BasicHTML views are previous versions of Gmail that were replaced by their
modern successors 10+ years ago and do not include full Gmail feature
functionality".
The basic HTML version of Gmail has been lagging well behind when it comes
to the feature for years now. It lacks the filters that make Gmail super
useful today, as well as the new AI features and so much more. Really, the
only reason the option has continued to exist is for super-slow connections
and old web browsers, as the basic HTML version is much less
resource-intensive.
Also mentioned is the "mobile web" version, but this does not appear to be
referring to the default mobile view of Gmail.com, which is not basic HTML,
but rather the mobile version of the basic HTML view.
Accessing the basic HTML version is possible from Gmail's loading screen,
where a link to switch views is visible while your inbox loads. You can also
manually view it using a direct link.
As for why Google is opting to kill off the HTML view right now, we really
don't know, The motivation could stem from the simple fact that this
outdated view doesn't show ads, but it seems unlikely that all that many
people even use this view on a regular basis. Perhaps there are more
features coming that wouldn't work in basic HTML?
Regardless of the reason, it's certainly a shame for the many niche use
cases where accessing your email on a lightweight online client came in
handy.
If that describes you, you've got about four months to find an alternative.
9to5Mac.
