Gmail app not auto populating recipient field?

[airborne]

I just noticed this afternoon the Gmail app is not auto populating the recipient field any more when composing an email, normally I start typing the address and a list of similar emails pops up. Now there's a new pop up "Allow contacts suggestions" and when you tap on it's asking for the permission to read your phones address book, I haven't changed any setting in Gmail so I'm mystified as to why this is happening.

Is this something new?

I just want Gmail to work as it always has, auto populate the email recipient list from the "Frequently contacted" list that Gmail harvests from previous emails you've sent or received.

 

[backstreetboy]

I moved over to Google Inbox ages ago. Much better and no ads!

 

[Milano]

Working fine on my version ..

 

[airborne]

I moved over to Google Inbox ages ago. Much better and no ads!

What's the benefits of inbox over Gmail, I don't get ads in the Gmail app either?

 

[airborne]

Working fine on my version ..

View attachment 483920

And your Gmail app is using its native contact list not the phones?

 

[Milano]

And your Gmail app is using its native contact list not the phones?

Yes it auto completes the email address from a history of anyone I have ever emailed from my gmail app or from my desktop. Your desktop gmail via your browser auto completes correctly? Btw also no adverts on my gmail app.

Edit: did you go to settings, apps, permissions and check your gmail apps permissions for contacts as it may be reliant on your phone contacts being synced with gmail contacts (even though it pulls more than contacts). May be worth checking.

 

[backstreetboy]

What's the benefits of inbox over Gmail, I don't get ads in the Gmail app either?

There will be ads under the promotions tab. For one it lets you power through your inbox very fast but there's a zillion other reasons.