Gmail will not shut down in 2024 — here is what will actually change with the discontinuation of the basic HTML view.

A viral post on social media platform X claims that Google will shut down Gmail in August 2024. The rumor is supported by a screenshot that looks like an official message from Google. However, this is fake. Instead, Google is discontinuing support for Gmail’s basic HTML view, as already planned back in January.

The fake message stated:

“We want to share some important news about Gmail. After many years of connecting millions of people around the world, enabling seamless communication, and helping create countless connections, the Gmail journey is coming to an end.”

While Gmail is an extremely popular product with more than 1.8 billion active users and is tied to Android accounts, such an announcement is absurd. The fake screenshot has been viewed more than a million times on X, according to Gizmodo. It is most likely a photoshopped version of the real message that appeared last year, notifying users that Gmail’s basic HTML mode was going away.

The HTML version of Gmail, while lacking many features like chat, spell check, search filters, and advanced formatting, offered certain advantages such as speed and compatibility with very old devices. This was especially useful for users with weak internet connections, where loading animations and complex interfaces was not feasible. The decision is also criticized from an accessibility perspective, as many visually impaired users rely on the simplified interface.

Now, the official Google support page recommends using the latest version of Gmail in your browser. If the browser supports it, Gmail will automatically open in the updated interface without the basic HTML mode, but with “the latest features and security updates.”