Users of various devices, including Samsung models, are encountering screen flickering issues while using the Gmail app. Some individuals have reported instances where text disappears completely or is replaced by blank white boxes within their messages.
Expressing frustration, Gmail enthusiasts have turned to social media platforms to voice their concerns. One user named Jeremiah posted on X, questioning when Android would function properly on folding phones like the Samsung Fold, citing ongoing flickering problems on the inner screen for four days.
Similar grievances have surfaced on Google’s support forums, with one user detailing the persistent screen flickering that disrupts email reading despite attempts to resolve the issue by force-stopping the app, clearing the cache, restarting the tablet, and updating all components.
Google product expert Kimiya Kitani has attributed the problem to Android System WebView, a key Android element enabling apps to display web content within the app interface. Kitani mentioned that certain devices, particularly Samsung tablets, are experiencing intermittent challenges with Android System WebView, and the matter has been escalated to Google for resolution.
While the exact number of affected users remains uncertain, reports indicate that Samsung foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold series and select Galaxy tablets are among the most severely impacted devices.
In the interim, a temporary workaround has been suggested. Kitani recommends rotating the device, as this action often stops the screen flickering. The proposed solution involves opening the email in portrait mode, rotating the device to landscape mode until the screen displays correctly, and then switching back to portrait mode.
As users await a permanent fix from Google, utilizing this simple workaround may offer relief from the flickering issue.