After a year of exploring various third-party email clients, I recently returned to the Gmail Android app, drawn back by a series of enticing updates. The new subscriptions tab is a standout feature, the Material 3 Expressive animations add a delightful touch, and the integration with Gemini has proven beneficial. However, my initial enthusiasm was dampened by one persistent annoyance: the Meet tab.
How to remove Gmail’s Meet (and Chat) tabs
Upon my return, I found the Gmail app cluttered with two tabs at the bottom—one for my inbox and another serving as a shortcut to Google Meet. For users who frequently engage in Meet calls, this feature may be invaluable. Yet, for someone like me, who seldom uses Google Meet on mobile, the tab felt like an unwelcome intrusion, occupying precious screen space.
After enduring the annoyance for a few days, I decided to delve into the app settings to see if there was a way to disable it. To my delight, I discovered a simple solution. Here’s how to remove the Meet tab:
- Tap the menu button in the top-left corner of the Gmail app.
- Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select Settings.
- Choose your email address.
- Scroll down to the Meet section.
- Uncheck the box next to Show the Meet tab for video calling.
Once this box is unchecked, the Gmail app seamlessly returns to the inbox, now devoid of the Meet tab and its accompanying bottom navigation bar. This change not only enhances the visibility of my inbox but also contributes to a cleaner, more streamlined app interface.
It’s important to note that if you manage multiple email accounts within the Gmail app, you’ll need to repeat these steps for each account. Additionally, users with a Google Workspace account may encounter a Chat tab instead of, or alongside, the Meet tab. In such cases, the same steps apply, but you’ll want to look for the General section in your email settings to toggle the Show the chat tab option.
This is how the Gmail app should be
For those who regularly utilize Google Meet and Chat, having dedicated tabs can enhance the user experience. However, for individuals like myself, who rarely engage with these features, their presence can feel superfluous. The option to remove these tabs may not be a groundbreaking revelation, but for users returning to the Gmail app after a hiatus, it’s a valuable tip worth remembering.
Google’s willingness to allow such customization in the app’s navigation is commendable. With the Meet tab gone, the Gmail Android app in 2025 is not only functional but also visually appealing, free from distractions that hinder productivity.
