There are only two reasons I prefer the Mail on iOS over the native Gmail app. One, it allows me to ‘read all’ unread messages at once, helping me get rid of the hundreds of notifications, and the other being able to add more than one email account to it. However, turns out Gmail is preparing to give a tough competition to Mail on iOS and other multi-account email titles with a support for a similar feature in its own app on iOS. Which means, Gmail or not, you will be able to access multiple accounts through your Gmail app soon. For now, the feature remains firmly in the testing phase, though Google is opening the beta to anyone with a Gmail account to evaluate the service.
Via a Twitter post from its official account, Gmail today announced that the new feature would bring Google‘s iOS client in line with the company’s Android offering. On Android, similar to desktop, the Gmail app allows a user to login through multiple accounts. But then again, on Android, supporting multiple accounts makes sense as Gmail is the platform’s default email service. Akin to Mail on iOS, Gmail serves as Google’s go-to email app for sending, receiving and managing messages.
If you are interested in testing the beta, you can sign up by filling out a form through a dedicated beta webpage. Prerequisites for entry into the program include current status as a Gmail user, ownership of a non-Gmail email account (which should be everyone with an iOS device) and iOS 10 or later. Apple Insiderreports that Google is using Apple’s TestFlight app and backend to run its new multi-account access beta feature, suggesting a new version of the Gmail app is required for integration. 

Google has always been very prompt with updates to its email services app. Recently, it introduced Advanced Protection System, which is specially designed for high risk accounts like that of journalists, business leaders, and political campaign teams. Under the Advanced Protection System, logging in to your Gmail account will be done through the physical Security Key. Other modes like 2-step verification process, codes sent via SMS, or the Google Authenticator app will not be valid. With this, Google aims to give maximum protection against the most common hacking technique, phishing. The second feature under this program limits access to your personal data from third-party apps. Signing up for new services or apps requires data like email details and documents as well.