Can't archive mail with Google Apps mail as Exchange

I have the exact same problem. I don't think you're the only one. But I think few people are using Google Apps for Business and have set up push notifications and set up Exchange accounts on the iOS devices. I've done (probably) the same Google searches as you have and have concluded that this is a defect in Apple's Exchange account support. Also, though the "Archive" folder doesn't exist in Gmail (it's called All Mail), Google won't let you create a folder named "Archive"; it says it's a reserved name.

This Gmail support thread suggests the native Gmail app for iOS as an alternative, as it supports push notifications. Of course, this is not entirely satisfying, since in iOS mailto: links won't open the Gmail app, but at least I don't have to choose between deleting and archiving all my mail. (I admit that sometimes deleting all my mail sounds appealing.)

Do please update this thread if you've learnt anything more. Thanks!

Faced with exactly same issue. Also have not found a solution so far.

I think the problem is there is no option for Exchange mail boxes under Settings -> Mail -> Account Name -> Account -> Advanced that says "MAILBOX BEHAVIORS". There should be something like this for Exchange but isnt. It should allow you to choose to send Draft, Deleted and Archived messages to certain folders. My other account that isnt a Google Corp Account is standard gmail and I use GMAIL instead of Exchange for that one and it gives those options and never any issue Archiving.

My 2 cents anyways. I hope they fix this since I need PUSH instead of FETCH for at least my work email.

Anthony

Had to same issue. Here's a work-around:

1- Turn off mail in the Exchange account. Leave contacts, calendar, and reminders on.

2 - Create a new mail account in settings using the "Gmail" option (not Exchange) using the same login credentials as your Exchange account.

3 - Now in the new Gmail configuration, disable all EXCEPT mail. Then go to Account-->Advanced and select "Deleted mailbox" under under "Move discarded messages into:"

Note: If you don't use reminders under your Exchange account, you could simply use the "Gmail" account option and forgo having 2 configurations for one account. Since I do not use Google notes but wanted the reminders, so I have to use Exchange option. E-mail does not behave normally, however. So creating a separate configuration for just the mail under a Gmail configuration makes it behave like my other e-mail accounts.

Had to same issue. Here's a work-around:

1- Turn off mail in the Exchange account. Leave contacts, calendar, and reminders on.

2 - Create a new mail account in settings using the "Gmail" option (not Exchange) using the same login credentials as your Exchange account.

3 - Now in the new Gmail configuration, disable all EXCEPT mail. Then go to Account-->Advanced and select "Deleted mailbox" under under "Move discarded messages into:"

Note: If you don't use reminders under your Exchange account, you could simply use the "Gmail" account option and forgo having 2 configurations for one account. Since I do not use Google notes but wanted the reminders, so I have to use Exchange option. E-mail does not behave normally, however. So creating a separate configuration for just the mail under a Gmail configuration makes it behave like my other e-mail accounts.

I used a variation of @qdean's approach to accomplish exactly this.

I have been searching for a solution for this problem for months. I’ve wanted to use the iOS Mail app with Google Apps push notifications, but of course it’s broken and the workaround forces you to choose between mapping “delete” to either Trash or Archive unconditionally. Unacceptable.

Also, Google Apps Exchange support is also broken for the Calendar app; when it is enabled, I can’t see any of the shared calendars that my Google Apps account can access. The iOS Gmail driver can see all calendars, and can both delete and archive as designed. But it doesn’t support push, only periodic fetch.

My solution is to define TWO accounts in Mail, Contacts and Calendars, both to the same Google Apps login. One account uses the Exchange driver (which I named Gmail Push), the other uses the standard Gmail driver (which I named Gmail). In the Gmail Push account, I enable Mail and Contacts, and also enable notifications. In the Gmail account, I enable Mail, Calendars and Notes. I set Fetch frequency to every 30 minutes. Finally, I go into the Mail app, edit Mailboxes and uncheck the Gmail Push mailbox. This way, I don’t see every message twice.

Now, I get a push notification as soon as a message is delivered to Gmail Push. I can delete the message from the notification, but I can’t archive it (you can take your pick… I picked delete). When I want to read/handle the message, I open the Mail app and process the message from the Gmail account (not the Gmail Push account). When I open the Mail app, it automatically refreshes, so the message appears quickly.

A bit ugly, but it works for me. :-)

I've contacted Google Support - and this is what they replied:

Hello Oren,

Thanks for contacting Google Apps for Work. My name is Derek and I'll assist you in this query.

I understand you have issues on iOS devices using Google Sync (ActiveSync) as a message is showing 'Unable to Move Message. The message could not be moved to the

mailbox Archive'

The issue seems to be cosmetic, if you select 'Archive Mailbox' from Advanced settings it will look for an Archived folder which does not exist the Google Apps account. In the end, the message will be moved to 'All Mail' which is the Archive folder for the Google Apps account, but it will display the error that it was unable to move it to the Archive.

I hope you find this information helpful. I will be leaving this case open for three business days. If there is any other question or concern, do not hesitate to contact us. I will be more than glad to assist you.

Sincerely,

Derek

Google for Work Support

-------------------------

Case: #08661495

Subject: Setup of Google Account with iOS - Unable to Archive

---

So basically - they are saying that if you setup Google as Exchange - it WILL archive the email, but will display an error alert on iOS.

This is VERY frustrating...

I've asked them if there's a way to maybe open a folder "Archive" that will solve this error alert issue.

Waiting for their reply.

You are correct.

I've just tested - and after you click "OKAY" on the alert - it removes it from the list in the Apple device, but it is not archived in Gmail.

I'll notify Google.

See what they answer.

Note:

The main problem with the above workaround is that if you have multiple email accounts (not only Google) - then the iOS Mail App folder "All Inboxes" will show you duplicate emails...

Another issue is - that if you click the Push notification - you'll reach the Google account (not the Exchange) and if you then try to Archive - it will still pop-up the alert.

Ok...

So after the only thing that came out with the correspondence with Google, was to open a "feature request" - I found a solution from an unexpected direction - Microsoft 🙂

I tried many MANY email clients. Even the new beta version of the promising "Polymail" app.

However, turns out Polymail doesn't support Exchange yet. So that's not a solution for me (Because I have multiple accounts - Google and Microsoft Exchange).

If you are only using Google email - then I must say that Polymail is VERY nice for both iOS and Desktop (but they are still in beta and a bit unstable.

http://polymail.io

SO, bottom line - my solution was to use Microsoft Outlook App.

Yes. I said it out loud - MICROSOFT OUTLOOK APP.

https://appsto.re/il/8OwV4.i

It's the only one I found that supports:

- Swiping gestures to archive AND delete that work! (configurable).

- Multiple accounts - Google, Exchange and many More.

- Push notifications with a preview

Hope this helps!

Enjoy! 🙂

Oren

It turns out archive will work just fine using an exchange setup for gmail on an iphone, but you need to tweak some setting in gmail and then, counterintuitively, set your iphone to "delete" messages. Here are the steps:

1. login into gmail and go to the mail settings.

2. under the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab, in the "IMAP Access" section, make sure your settings are as follows:

• "When I mark a message in IMAP as deleted" should be set to: "Auto-Expunge off - Wait for the client to update the server."

• "When a message is marked as deleted and expunged from the last visible IMAP folder" should be set to: "Archive the message (default)"

3. save the changes

4. on your iPhone, open the settings and go to "Mail, Contacts, Calendars"

5. select you Exchange gmail account, tap "Account" to enter the account setting and then tap "Advanced Settings."

6. under "Advanced Settings" make sure "Move discarded messages into" is set to "Deleted Mailbox."

7. close out of the mail settings and then open mail on your phone.

8. Send yourself a test email and try swiping to delete it once it hits your inbox. The phone will show the message as being deleted (red icon when you swipe left), but if you go to your "All Mail" folder your message will be happily sitting there, archived...