Boost Productivity with Kiwi for Gmail: Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts

How to Set Up and Customize Kiwi for Gmail on macOS and WindowsKiwi for Gmail transforms Gmail and Google Workspace into a native desktop experience, combining email, Google Drive, Calendar, and Gmail add-ons into a single app. This guide walks through installing, configuring, and customizing Kiwi for Gmail on both macOS and Windows, plus tips to optimize productivity and troubleshoot common issues.

What is Kiwi for Gmail (short overview)

Kiwi for Gmail is a desktop application that wraps Gmail and Google Workspace web apps into a multi-window native app with system integration (notifications, native menus, dock/taskbar). It provides a focused workspace for people who prefer desktop email management over browser tabs.

System requirements and preparations

macOS: Generally supports recent macOS versions (check Kiwi’s site for exact compatibility).
Windows: Windows 10 or later is typical.
Gmail or Google Workspace account.
Stable internet connection.

Before installing:

Back up important emails or data as a precaution.
Close other Gmail browser windows to avoid session conflicts during initial sign-in.

Installing Kiwi for Gmail

macOS

Visit the official Kiwi for Gmail download page and click the macOS download link.
Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the Kiwi app to Applications.
Launch Kiwi from Applications (you may need to right-click and choose Open if macOS blocks unknown developers).
On first launch, grant any system permissions Kiwi requests (notifications, accessibility if using keyboard shortcuts, etc.).

Windows

Download the Windows installer from Kiwi’s official page.
Run the installer (.exe) and follow prompts to complete installation.
Launch Kiwi from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Accept any Windows prompts for permissions.

Signing in and adding accounts

When Kiwi opens, click “Add Account.”
Sign in with your Gmail or Google Workspace account via Google’s OAuth flow.
Allow the permissions Kiwi requests (these enable access to Gmail, Drive, Calendar, etc.).
To add multiple accounts, repeat the Add Account step. Kiwi supports multiple Gmail/Workspace accounts in the same app with separate windows.

Tip: Use different Google profiles if you need distinct sign-in sessions for the same account across multiple apps.

Basic layout and interface

Left sidebar: Mailboxes, Labels, and quick navigation.
Top bar: Search, compose, and account switcher.
Windows/tabs: Kiwi opens each account in its own window; you can also open Google Drive or Google Calendar in dedicated windows within Kiwi.

Familiarize yourself with window controls, the compose shortcut, and notification badge behavior.

Customizing Kiwi for Gmail

Themes and window layout

Choose window size and placement: resize and position account windows to match your workflow (side-by-side for multi-account monitoring).
Enable/disable the toolbar and compact view options (if available) to minimize visual clutter.

Notifications

macOS: Configure Kiwi notifications in System Preferences → Notifications to allow banners, sounds, and badges.
Windows: Manage Kiwi notifications in Settings → System → Notifications.
Inside Kiwi: Go to Kiwi preferences to toggle new mail notifications, sound alerts, and per-account notification settings.

Keyboard shortcuts

Kiwi supports Gmail keyboard shortcuts. Enable Gmail keyboard shortcuts inside Gmail Settings (web) and confirm Kiwi passes them through.
Configure app-level shortcuts in Kiwi preferences if the app provides custom mappings (e.g., open compose window, switch accounts).

Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar integration

Open Google Drive or Calendar from the Kiwi sidebar or account menu to work with files and events without switching to a browser.
Pin frequently used Google documents to the Kiwi window for quick access.

Dock/taskbar behavior

macOS: Use Dock preferences and Kiwi’s app settings to control whether the app shows unread badges and how windows consolidate.
Windows: Right-click the Kiwi taskbar icon to pin, unpin, or manage jump lists for quick access to accounts.

Productivity tips and workflows

Focus mode: Resize to a single-account window and hide distractions.
Multi-account monitoring: Place critical accounts on-screen simultaneously and silence nonessential accounts.
Templates and canned responses: Use Gmail’s templates and signatures through Kiwi to speed repetitive replies.
Keyboard-driven workflow: Learn Gmail shortcuts (e.g., c to compose, / to search) and keep them enabled.
Integrate calendar: Keep Calendar open in a side window to drag-and-drop times or quickly check availability.

Sync, caching, and storage considerations

Kiwi uses your Google account for storage—emails remain on Google servers. Kiwi caches data locally for performance.
If you have limited disk space, manage Kiwi’s cache from preferences or periodically clear local cache files.
For Workspace users, verify any organizational policies around third-party apps and OAuth access.

Troubleshooting common issues

Sign-in loops or OAuth errors: Ensure third-party cookies aren’t blocked globally; try signing in via a different browser profile or clearing Kiwi’s saved sessions.
Missing notifications: Check system notification settings and Kiwi’s in-app notification toggles. On macOS, confirm Do Not Disturb is off.
Slow performance: Close unused Google apps inside Kiwi, reduce open windows, and clear cache.
Attachment or Drive access problems: Confirm Kiwi has requested necessary Google permissions and reauthorize the account if needed.
Multiple-account conflicts: If sessions collide, remove the account and re-add it; verify no conflicting browser extensions or system-wide Google sign-in settings.

Security and privacy tips

Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on Google accounts.
Review app permissions in Google Account → Security → Third-party apps with account access and revoke unused access.
Keep Kiwi updated to the latest version for security patches.
For shared machines, lock or quit Kiwi when away; use separate OS user accounts for strong separation.

Uninstalling Kiwi

macOS:

Quit Kiwi.
Drag Kiwi from Applications to the Trash.
Optionally remove Kiwi cache and support files from ~/Library/Application Support/ and ~/Library/Caches/.

Windows:

Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
Find Kiwi, click Uninstall, and follow prompts.
Remove leftover data in %AppData% if desired.

Alternatives to consider

Gmail in a dedicated browser profile or progressive web app (PWA).
Mail clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or Outlook (may require IMAP/SMTP setup).
Native Google Workspace apps in separate browser windows.

Feature	Kiwi for Gmail	Gmail in Browser/PWA	Traditional Mail Client
Native desktop integration	Yes	Limited	Varies
Google Workspace apps integration	Tight	Native in browser	Limited
Multi-account windowing	Yes	Tabs/profiles	Varies
Offline mail handling	Cached	Offline mode limited	Depends on client

If you want, I can:

Provide step-by-step screenshots for macOS or Windows.
Write short copy for a setup checklist or onboarding email.
Which would you like?