Gmail messages switching to unread after I view them

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Gmail messages switching to unread after I view them

iPhone 5s with iOS 7.1. I use Gmail in the default mail app, meaning it's an IMAP connection.

When a new message arrives, I open it on the phone. As soon as I do this, it changes the status to "read" but within a second or two it goes back to "unread". I have to manually mark it as read, or close the message and open it again to have it appear as read. It happens regardless of whether or not I read the message the instant it arrives, or if I read it sometime later.

This has been happening since before 7.1. I don't remember precisely when it started. Tried deleting the account and re-adding it. I don't have mail clients open anywhere else that might be changing the status unintentionally. It doesn't happen to my Exchange account in the mail app, nor does it make any difference if I'm on a wifi or cellular network. The push interval is 15 minutes, if it matters.

I'm getting quite frustrated with this. What am I doing wrong here?

iPhone 5s, iOS 7.1

Posted on Apr 5, 2014 2:28 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

sterling r

Community Specialist

Apr 7, 2014 7:08 AM in response to dparm

Hello dparm,

It sounds like the Gmail account you have set up in the Mail app on the phone is acting strangely on the device, even though you have already deleted and re added the account. I don't know if you have tried this before but I would next try removing the Gmail account as you had before in the settings, then close the mail app and any others that are running:

iOS: Force an app to close

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5137

Double-click the Home button.

Swipe left or right until you have located the app you wish to close.

Swipe the app up to close it.

When you have done that and restart the phone, add the account again, and test the issue:

iOS: Turning off and on (restarting) and resetting

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430

If it persists, I would next backup your device to iTunes with this article:

iOS: How to back up and restore your content

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

And your device with this article to delete the previous iOS installation, and install a fresh copy:

Use iTunes to restore your iOS device to factory settings

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1414

I would start by setting up the device as new, and adding the Gmail account to test it again. When it works, restore from your backup and verify it continues to work.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care,

Sterling

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Answer 2

dparm Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 14, 2014 8:33 AM in response to sterling r

Sterling R, thanks for the assist. I reset the settings and that seemed to fix it. Had to reconfigure a few things afterward, but a small price to pay. Thank you again.

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Answer 3

sterling r

Community Specialist

Apr 14, 2014 12:49 PM in response to dparm

Alright! Thanks for the update dparm! I am happy to know the issue has been resolved.

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Answer 4

dparm Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 18, 2014 5:02 PM in response to sterling r

Sterling, the issue has resurfaced after a few days. I'm about to lose my mind because this is such a bizarre problem.

My next step is going to be a backup to my computer, full erasure (including data/music), and then reconfigure the account to see what happens.

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