New Gmail update: How to turn it back – and what features you'll miss if you do

Features include a snooze email function, a fresh design and a 'confidential mode' that protects outgoing emails

The new Gmail update offers greater security through a Confidential Mode (Getty Images)

Google is rolling out a major new update to its popular Gmail platform, however some users are not happy with the new layout.

The new Gmail update features a snooze email function, a fresh design and a 'confidential mode' that protects outgoing emails.

However hundreds of Gmail users took to social media to complain about Google's new design. Fortunately for them, there is a way to switch it back to the old version, but only for a limited time.

"Approximately 12 weeks after the GA [general availability] announcement in July, any users who’ve opted out of the new Gmail will be automatically migrated to the new experience, with no option to opt out," Google said in a blogpost announcing the changes.

"Users who’ve already transitioned to the new Gmail will lose the ability to opt out."

To switch back to the previous version of Gmail, users can simply go to the "Settings" cog in the top right corner and click "Go back to classic Gmail".

Reverting back to the more familiar layout still allows the option to change back to the new version. Simply go back to Settings and click "Try the new Gmail".

When launching the new Gmail for the first time, users will be able to select "default", "comfortable" and "compact" mode

Perhaps the biggest update, beyond the overall look, is the confidential feature, which allows users to put an expiration date on sent emails. This means that after a certain time, the messages will disappear from the recipients inbox.

The email can also not be forwarded or printed and senders have the option to add a passcode in order to access it.

Confidential mode is not set as a default, so to use it Gmail users will need to select the confidential mode icon at the bottom of the compose email window.

The snooze emails function allows people to postpone emails to a future date or a time that's more convenient.

"Your email will come back to the top of your inbox when you want it to, whether that's tomorrow, next week, or this evening," Google explains. "You can find your snoozed items under 'Snoozed' in the Menu."

The new tools are designed to help Gmail users "work faster and more efficiently", while also improving their security.