How do I use Gemini in Gmail?

1. Drafting Emails ("Help me write")

Instead of starting from a blank page, you can give Gemini a prompt to write the first draft for you.

• How to use it:

  1. Open Gmail and click Compose (or hit Reply on an existing email).

  2. Look for the "Help me write" button (it looks like a magic wand icon) in the toolbar at the bottom of your compose window.

  3. Type a clear instruction (e.g., "Write a professional email asking the client for an extension on the project deadline until Friday").

  4. Click Submit (up arrow in a blue circle).

  5. If you like it, click Insert. If you want a different vibe, use the Refine dropdown to choose Formalize, Elaborate, or Shorten.

2. Email Summaries (Thread Summaries)

When you get pulled into a massive back-and-forth thread with 20+ replies, Gemini can give you the "TL;DR" (Too Long; Didn't Read).

• How to use it:

  1. Open the long email thread you want to catch up on.

  2. At the very top of the email chain, look for a small chip that says "Summarize this email".

  3. Click it, and a bulleted breakdown of the key decisions, updates, and action items will appear at the top or in the side panel.

3. AI Inbox Overview (Gemini Q&A Panel)

This turns Gemini into an assistant that can search and synthesize information across your entire history of emails, saving you from hunting for old receipts or tracking numbers.

• How to use it:

  1. Look at the top-right corner of your Gmail dashboard (next to your profile picture) and click the Gemini star icon to open the side panel.

  2. In the chat box that opens, type a natural language question about your inbox.

  3. Examples you can use:

     • "What is the tracking number for the shoes I ordered last week?"

     • "Summarize the feedback my manager gave me on the presentation."

     • "When does my flight to Chicago land tomorrow?"

  4. Gemini will answer and provide direct clickable links to the source emails.

4. Suggested Replies (Contextual Smart Replies)

Instead of the generic "Thanks!" or "Got it!", Gemini reads the incoming email and suggests full-sentence responses tailored to the situation.

Important: Even if you meet the requirements, a suggested reply may not always be available.

• How to use it:

  1. Open an email you need to reply to and click Reply.

  2. Just above your text cursor, you will see 2–3 custom button options generated by Gemini based on the content of the message (e.g., "Accept invitation", "Decline with apology", or "Ask for more details").

  3. Click one of the suggestions. Gemini will instantly populate the text field with a fully written response matching that intent.

5. Proofreading & Editing (Refine)

If you've written an email but worry it sounds too blunt, too wordy, or has typos, Gemini can polish it before you hit send.

• How to use it:

  1. Type out your draft in the compose window as you normally would.

  2. Highlight the text you just wrote, or look at the bottom toolbar for the "Refine" pencil/wand icon.

  3. Click it and choose how you want to alter your text from the menu:

     • Polish: Fixes grammar and smooths out phrasing.

     • Formalize: Makes it sound more corporate or professional.

     • Casual: Softens the tone for a friendlier message.

  4. Review the change and click Replace to update your email.