Updating pre-installed app to latest version of Gmail?

[Anonymous]

I noticed recently that the version of Gmail that came preinstalled with my Samsung Galaxy S2, is a very old version.  There's a much better looking version in the google play store, but despite being logged in it doesn't give me the option of updating.  It's as though it thinks I already have the most up to date version.  How can I update to the latest version?

For some reason I don't have this problem with other preinstalled apps, so it seems to be an issue for Gmail only?

Thanks

[jonsie]

Best bet is to uninstall the updates for the app in Application manager and then see if it will download the latest update from the Playstore.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply jonsie.  One question: if I try this and it doesn't work, will I then be left with no Gmail?  Or will it just reinstall the version it came with?  I ask because I use Gmail all the time and this would be a disaster!

[MI5]

Uninstalling updates won't remove Gmail completely - just any updates that have been applied. I suspect one update didn't take properly and has now locked you out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.  I deleted the updates and reinstalled but for some reason it still gives me version 2.3.6, which doesn't look very much like the version illustrated on Google Play.

Actually it's not the end of the world since I can always use the web-based Gmail in my browswer, which does look like the version on Google Play and is presumably always up-to-date.  It's just a bit annoying that I can't just click the app icon and get there straight away.  I suppose I could create a shortcut to it and add that to my screen?

[MI5]

That's most strange... 4.2.1 is the latest so you seem to be many versions behind. Never seen this before 😞

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is odd... I'm not able to completely remove the app and start again because it's a system app, so I can only undo the updates.  But when I do that it gives me V2.3.6 each time.

I wonder if the operating system on my phone isn't advanced enough to work with the later versions?  I do know there are some apps that don't work with my phone (for example Google Chrome browser isn't compatible), so maybe that's the problem?

(FWIW it's a SG S2, Android version 2.3.3, Build number Gingerbread.XWKF3.  I've no idea what any of that means :))

[MI5]

Ah, I was wondering that and yes, old software on the phone so that would explain it. Have you tried connecting to Kies for updates?

[Anonymous]

I have Kies on my phone so I could try that.  I'll let you know if it makes any difference.

[Anonymous]

I can actually go to settings>about phone>software update>check for update, but it connects to the server and tells me there are none available...