Can’t Access Gmail? Try These URLs

Like any other website, Gmail can be pretty hard to get to at times, right? Sometimes it can get really frustrating. You see, sometimes I try to logon to Gmail to get to a really important email and then it takes ages to load. I’m pretty sure the internet’s fine, because everything else is working properly. I can only wish I had this list of URLs to type in when Gmail’s acting up.

Safe mode – http://mail.google.com/mail/?labs=0. In case Gmail Labs features are buggy, this url disables the features so you’d be able to get in your mail and remove some of the features from Gmail’s settings page.

Secure mode – https://mail.google.com/. It uses encryption to secures the traffic between your computer and Gmail’s servers. Use it on public computers, public/unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and/or to bypass some proxies and web accelerators. There’s a Gmail setting that makes Gmail to always use secure mode (“Always use https”). By the way, secure mode can be slower than the standard version.

Older version – http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1. If you’re not a big fan of Gmail version two, or if v2 is too slow for you at the moment, use this to switch to the original Gmail. This loads faster, and has the retro feel of old Gmail.

Basic mode – http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=html. This loads the plain HTML version of Gmail, without the bells and whistles that made Gmail lead the pack. However, if even the original Gmail doesn’t work for you, the definitely HTML Gmail will.

Mobile mode – http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=mobile or http://m.gmail.com. This would be a simplified Gmail interface made for mobile phones.

iPhone mode – http://mail.google.com/mail/x/gdlakb-/gp/. This version is optimized for the iPhone and other Webkit-based browsers (such as Google Chrome).

iGoogle gadget – http://www.google.com/ig/gmailmax. This version would be the one used for the iGoogle homepage. Very useful for bypassing corporate firewalls that blocks Gmail at work.

“No browser checking” mode – http://mail.google.com/mail?nocheckbrowser. If you are using a new browser or one that isn’t compatible with Gmail, you will be served HTML mode. Use this to bypass browser checking and get full Gmail. Be warned that Gmail may be wonky with this URL though.

So there, use this list to access Gmail during those times when you really, really need to check your email but you can’t.