I didn't see the update that allows self purchase either.
I have a Sony Android phone and the current Gyft app in the Play Store for me is 1.4
I ended up sending it to a guy in my office then told him to send me the e-mail. From there it's pretty self explanatory.
What was in the email? A gyft code or the actual giftcard code?
I am seeing on Reddit that people are using the "send to someone else" option, but selecting their own email from the contacts list. Hopefully they will update the app to make this easier.