Security News > 2023 > September > Google is retiring its Gmail Basic HTML view in January 2024
Google is notifying Gmail users that the webmail's Basic HTML view will be deprecated in January 2024, and users will require modern browsers to continue using the service.
The basic HTML view is a stripped-down version of Gmail that does not offer users chat, spell checking, keyboard shortcuts, adding or importing contacts, setting custom "From" addresses, or using rich text formatting.
One of the biggest reasons users use HTML view is that text-to-speech tools used by users with visual impairment are more reliable, as the Standard view introduces technical complexities that are harder for these tools to manage.
"Basic HTML view will be supported until early January 2024. Until then, your organization can still use the current basic HTML view," Google shared in email notifications to Google Workspace admins.
"Once basic HTML view is disabled, users will automatically be redirected to the standard Gmail view which provides the latest in Gmail security and features."
The Standard view will be the only option, so users reliant on the Basic HTML view need to prepare for the transition or switch to desktop email clients.