Mail App only checks and downloads email when open

I just got an iPad, so this might sound like a n00b question, but it's bugging me a lot.

I have an iPad 2 Wifi, running iOS 4.3.5. I configured my Gmail in the mail app, have set the mail to Push, and am connected to Internet via wifi.

Now the problem is the mail app only checks for and downloads new mails when I open the app. If I press home button to go into another app, the mail app wont check for new email. Its only when I switch to mail app does it update. I would like it to be set up so that the mail app has push mail functionality and gives notifications automatically.

See this link for more details and an detailed "how-to" (Setting up Google Sync with your iOS device - Google Mobile Help), but essentially, you have to have your Gmail account set up on the iPad as an Exchange account, not the plain Gmail account (it's only for IMAP polling - it won't push).

You'll have to delete the old Gmail account and re-establish it on the iPad as an Exchange, but once that's done, it should work in pushing you your mails.

Again, the link will walk you through the steps (easier than me typing ... and they've got pictures!).

Hope this helps.

Marilyn

Thanks Marylin, it worked!

Phew! Always good to hear back that advice actually works! :D

Glad you got it sorted and that we were able to help. Yay!

Marilyn