What to know
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The Create label option shows up in the Gmail navigation drawer (left menu) once the feature is live for your account.
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Rollout is account-by-account, so one Gmail address on your phone may get it before another.
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The rollout has been spotted in Gmail for Android version 2026.01.26.x.
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Label color customization still is not available in the Android app.
Getting labels right is one of the easiest ways to keep Gmail from turning into a scrolling problem, especially when multiple projects, receipts, and alerts pile up. With a new update, creating a label on Android is finally something that can be done in the same place you read and triage mail.
Creating labels on Gmail Android
Creating labels used to be a desktop-first task, even though labeling is a day-to-day mobile workflow for a lot of people. Google is now closing that gap by adding label creation to the Android app, which brings it closer to the experience iPhone users already had.
Where to find Create label in Gmail on Android
Once the feature hits your account, the Create label entry appears in the navigation drawer. It can show up between Manage subscriptions and your existing labels, and you may also see a small badge on the hamburger menu indicating something new is live.
How to create a new label in Gmail Android app
Step 1: Update Gmail and confirm the rollout
Make sure Gmail is updated, since the rollout has been seen with version 2026.01.26.x of Gmail for Android. If Create label does not appear after updating, the most likely reason is that it has not been enabled for that specific account yet.
Step 2: Open the Gmail navigation drawer
Open the Gmail app and tap the hamburger menu to open the left-side navigation drawer. This is the same place where Gmail lists folders and your existing labels.
Step 3: Tap Create label
Scroll until you see Create label in the navigation drawer. Tap it to open the New label prompt.
Step 4: Name the label and save
Enter the name you want for the label in the New label dialog. Save it, and the label should then appear alongside your other labels in the drawer.
How to delete labels on Android (and what has changed)
Alongside label creation, label deletion is also becoming more practical on mobile. In Gmail settings, making a label selection can now surface a Delete option. The path is Settings > your Gmail address > Notifications > Manage labels.
Limitations
Label colors still cannot be customized in Gmail for Android, even with this update. Also, because the feature is rolling out account-by-account, it can appear for one Gmail address on your device while staying missing for another for a while.
A tidy inbox workflow that works well with labels
Labels are most useful when they match decisions you actually make while reading mail. A simple approach is to create labels around: active projects, finance items, personal admin, and newsletters, then apply them as soon as messages arrive.
If it is not visible yet, the rollout is likely still pending for that specific account even if Gmail is fully updated.
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