Google is reportedly working on a new way to help users bring order to their messy Gmail accounts on mobile devices. Initially spotted by industry expert AssembleDebug, a “Manage Subscriptions” section will be added to the app's sidebar menu, which will house all the newsletters and promotions you receive. Tapping the option will take you to the “Subscriptions” page which displays all the mailing lists you are currently subscribed to. Tech news site PiunikaWeb claims that the window shows you messages based on criteria you specify.
Exactly what those criteria may entail is unknown; However, AssembleDebug found code strings for the function, providing information on how it might work. There appear to be filters that allow you to highlight certain mailing lists based on the number of messages they send “per quarter”. You can select groups that send “less than 10”, “between 10 and 20”, or more than 20 emails in a period of time. Next to the entries will be the mailing list logo with an unsubscribe button.
Then, maybe every three months or so, you'll be able to check who sends the most newsletters. At least that's the idea. Without an official word, it's hard to say for sure, although we may not have to wait long to find out more.
Just around the corner
Several Reddit users claim to have found Manage Subscription in their Gmail accounts on mobile devices. Several people say they found a blue window advertising the section, but when they went to check it, the page was completely blank. Nothing happened. Another poster said that clicking on the message only took them to a screen with a page that loaded incessantly.
PiunikaWeb theorizes that perhaps Google “accidentally enabled” the feature on its servers, but didn't release the patch properly. Maybe it's in this weird limbo where people can see the section, but it doesn't do anything. We can't find it in our Gmail accounts. Therefore, it is possible that its sudden appearance on some accounts really was an accident.
What it does show is that the update could be almost ready for release. It may need a little more time in the oven. Manage Subscription will be a welcome inclusion in all other recent Gmail updates, such as the more prominent unsubscribe button, whenever it's implemented. Speaking from personal experience, it will be a great help in organizing the chaos known as the Primary tab.
While we have it, check out TechRadar's list of the best Android phones for 2024.
