Got a tip for us?Let us know

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form

Gmail Now Converts Phone Numbers and Addresses to Links on Desktop and in iOS Apps

Monday September 18, 2017 4:49 PM PDT by Juli Clover

Google today announced an update to Gmail that will see the popular mail client able to convert addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and contacts to into clickable hyperlinks.

The new hyperlink feature is available on the web and in the Gmail mobile apps for iOS and Android -- Gmail and Inbox by Gmail. This is something that has long been available in Apple's own Mail app on iOS and Mac devices.

When an address is clicked from Gmail, it will automatically open up Google Maps. Clicking an email address will compose a new email using the user's default email client, and clicking a phone number will start a call request.

Google says it will take approximately one to three days for the new feature to roll out to all users.

Tags: Gmail, Google

Top Rated Comments

terrapinjess

110 months ago

Wait this wasn’t already a thing in the Gmail app?
Yikes

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

justiny

110 months ago

Apple can learn a thing or two from Google about software.

I agree Apple can learn a thing or two or ten about software. But definitely not from Google.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Nuttz565

110 months ago

Love the Gmail app.

The Apple mail app is seriously terrible.

Apple can learn a thing or two from Google about software.

I agree with the exception of messaging. iMessage is leaps and bounds better than any of the dozen or so messaging services Google has.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Born Again

110 months ago

Love the Gmail app.

The Apple mail app is seriously terrible.

Apple can learn a thing or two from Google about software.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dannyyankou

110 months ago

Finally, this is something many iOS apps have had for years

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dwman

110 months ago

It's not that Google was unforgivably behind in implementing this feature. This is mostly due to Apple having a patent on this technology which expired in 2016.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...

• 148 comments

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover

In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...

• 154 comments

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol

While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

• 37 comments

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...

• 80 comments