How to Make a Gmail Desktop App for Windows

While Google offers no official Gmail app for computers, you can use a workaround to turn Gmail’s desktop site into a PWA app on Windows. You’ll be able to launch and use it, similar to how you would a normal app. You’ll want to do this if you dislike other email clients’ interfaces and would prefer Gmail’s native email style.

The way this workaround works is you use either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your PC, launch Gmail, and make a desktop app out of Gmail’s website. Your app then acts and works as if it’s a native Windows app, and you can even uninstall it when you don’t need it.

Turn Gmail Into a Desktop App Using Chrome

If you’re a Chrome browser user, use the following steps to make an unofficial Gmail app for your Windows PC.

First, launch Chrome and access Gmail.com. Ensure you’re signed in to your account on the site.

When Gmail’s inbox loads, in Chrome’s top-right corner, click the three dots and choose More Tools > Create Shortcut.

On the “Create Shortcut” window, click the text field and type the name you want to use for your Gmail app. Enable the “Open as Window” option, then click “Create.”

And that’s all. Your native Windows Gmail app is now ready. You can find it in your PC’s “Start” menu by entering in the app name you chose above.

Once you launch the app, it’ll load your Gmail inbox, and you can read and send new emails from within this app. You’re all set.

Create a Gmail Desktop App Using Edge

If you’re a loyal Edge user, you don’t have to leave your web browser to make a Gmail app. Use an option within Edge to turn Gmail’s site into a native app.

To do that, while inside Edge, launch Gmail.com. Make sure you’ve signed in to your account on the site.

When your inbox loads, in Edge’s top-right corner, click Apps > Install This Site as an App.

On the open window, select the text field and enter a name for your new app. Then, choose “Install.”

If you’d like to add a custom icon for your app, then on the open window, select “Edit” and choose your ICO or PNG icon file.

Edge has now created and installed your unofficial Gmail app on your PC. To open it, access the “Start” menu, enter the name you chose for your app, and select your app in the search results.

Your Gmail experience is now open as a desktop app. Enjoy.