Google Apps on the iPhone

Accessing Google Apps on the iPhone recently became much easier with the new iPhone 3GS and the corresponding iPhone 3.0 software for earlier devices. The addition of Exchange push account setup allows iPhone Calendar synchronization with your Google Calendar, and Google’s mobile web client features are better than ever for accessing Gmail, Calendar and Docs through the iPhone’s Safari web browser.

There are a couple of different ways to access your Google Apps email on the iPhone. You can set up an IMAP account to view your email via the Mail application on the device, or you can use the Safari web browser to log in to Google Apps just like you would if you were on laptop or desktop computer. You can also download and install the free “Google Mobile App” from the Apps Store to provide a quick link to Google Apps via Safari.

Personally, I prefer to use both methods. Setting up an IMAP account allows me to see at a glance if I have any new email, and using the web browser gives me access to Gmail-specific features like Stars and searching my entire email  account, plus gives me access to all of my Calendars and Google Docs.

Your Google Calendar can be synchronized to the Calendar application on the iPhone by using the new Exchange push feature, but you can only synchronize your personal Calendar. You’ll have to use Safari to view other Calendars. Another nice feature of the Exchange push configuration is the ability to send Google Calendar invites from the iPhone Calendar app.

Complete info on configuring your iPhone for Google Apps is available on the OIT Help Desk’s website.