Configuring GMail Access (with Push Notification) on an iPhone/iPad/iPod

The first thing you're probably thinking is "why not just use the standard Gmail account type?" and it's a perfectly valid question. I recommend using exchange because it gives you Push Email - this means when you get email it "instantly" appears on your device rather than your device checking for email at regular intervals (called Polling Email). Depending on your volume of emails having Push Email could save you considerable amounts of battery power (and time).

To enable Gmail with Push Email on an iPhone follow these steps.

Open the "Settings" application go to "Mail, Contacts, Calendars" and click "Add account...";

iPad: "Add Account" Under Settings

As you can see you have a list of options of which the one you're probably using the most at the moment is Gmail. Click on the top one, "Microsoft Exchange";

iPad: Add An Exchange Account

Enter your details here;

iPad: Add An Exchange Account (completed)

Click on the blue "Next" button at the top right of the entry dialog. The will now be a few seconds pause which an attempt is made to automatically identify the server you're trying to connect to. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to work so after a few seconds you are presented with the same information again this time with a "Server" entry box;

iPad: Add an Exchange Account With Server

Enter the server "m.google.com" and then click "Next" again.

Your account will now be verified by Google and providing you have entered everything correctly you will then be presented with the option what to sync with your device;

iPad: Select Items To Sync

You can select any/all of the options (or even none).

When you're done click "Save" at the top right and you'll now have Push Email on your device.