Mail app not working on iPhone and iPad? 10 Easy fixes

Although Apple enabled users to change the default email app with iOS 14, many of us still rely on the stock iOS Mail app to access our emails for its ease and features. But like any other app, the Mail app may occasionally act up and stop working on your iPhone or iPad!

Whether the app doesn’t load or you can’t send or receive emails, don’t panic! We’ve some easy fixes to get the Mail app working again on your iPhone. Keep reading.

1. Check if the mail server is down
2. Check Mail Fetch settings
3. Look at your Notification settings
4. Enable mobile data for the Mail app
5. Check your iPhone’s storage
6. Force reboot your device
7. Remove email account and set it up again
8. Delete and re-install the Mail app
9. Reset all settings
10. Contact Apple support

1. Check if the mail server is down

Before we start troubleshooting, check the status mail server. If you use iCloud Mail, check out Apple’s system status website and ensure the server is up and running.

And if you are using any other email provider, visit the provider’s website. Contact the provider or system administrator if you are unable to log in via browser. Otherwise, move on to the next solution.

2. Check Mail Fetch settings

If the iPhone or iPad email is not updating, check and adjust the Fetch settings. Depending upon your email provider, the setting will either be set to Push or Fetch.

1. Launch Settings → Mail → Accounts.
2. Tap Fetch New Data.
3. Here, ensure that Automatically is selected.
4. Further, tap the Email ID and select Fetch or Push instead of Manual.

Note: You can also choose a manual Fetch schedule for better battery performance, but then remember that the notification will arrive accordingly.

3. Look at your Notification settings 

Another culprit behind delayed alerts could be wrong Notification settings. Let’s correct them.

1. Launch Settings → Notifications.
2. Select the Mail app or the third-party app you use.
3. Here, toggle on Allow Notifications and Time-Sensitive Notifications, if not already.

Additionally, if you are using a Focus mode on your iPhone, ensure that the Mail app is included in the Allowed Apps section and Time Sensitive notifications are turned on.

4. Enable mobile data for the Mail app 

Internet is a key requirement, and if you are facing network issues of any kind, the Mail app could be affected. So, check your Wi-Fi network, data plan, etc.

And if the Mail app is working while you are at the office or home but not when you are out and about. Then it’s time to check and tweak some related settings.

1. Go to Settings → Mobile data.
2. Scroll down to the Mail app or third-party app and ensure that it’s toggled on.

Note: If traveling, tap Mobile Data Options from here and toggle on Data Roaming to keep receiving emails.

5. Check your iPhone’s storage

If your iPhone storage is filled to the brim, you can’t receive new emails on your iPhone. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage to check out available space. Accordingly, clear out some data from your device.

Also, a packed iCloud storage could stop you from sending or receiving emails. So, check its status as well; go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud and free up some storage if needed.

6. Force reboot your device

Our favorite troubleshooting method at iGeeksBlog. And why not? Restarting your iPhone often fixes minor glitches. So without further ado, restart your device; if you need help with it, check out our guide on how to force restart any iPhone and iPad models.

If your Mail app is not working even after rebooting, hop on to the next solution.

7. Remove email account and set it up again

There is a possibility that this might be a server-related issue. And deleting and resetting your email account could help resolve it.

1. Open Settings → Mail.
2. Tap Accounts and select the troublesome email account.
3. Tap Delete Account → Delete from My iPhone to confirm.

Once done, re-add the account. Simply tap Add Account, select the provider, and sign in.

Note: When you back up your iPhone or iPad via iCloud or iTunes, only the Mail settings are secured, not your emails. And deleting or changing your email account settings might remove previously downloaded emails from your device.

8. Delete and re-install the Mail app

If nothing else is working, it’s time to clean the slate and start all over again. Delete the app and download it again from the App Store. This fresh start will probably eliminate all bugs and allow you to use your Mail app seamlessly.

9. Reset all settings

Going back to factory settings might also help. However, this also means that all your stored passwords, networks, and more will be deleted. So, proceed after a backup and caution.

1. Open Settings → General → Transfer & Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset and select Reset All Settings.
3. Enter the passcode and tap Reset All Settings to confirm the action.

10. Contact Apple support

If you still can’t get the Mail app to work properly, it is time to connect with Apple support. You can either visit the nearest Apple Store for tech support or schedule a callback.

Signing off!

Hopefully, these tips helped get your iPhone’s Mail app working again. If you need more assistance, please feel free to connect with us in the comment section below.

Some more iPhone troubleshooting guides:

• Phone app not working on iPhone? How to fix it
• Can’t update apps on iPhone or iPad? How to fix it
• iPhone battery drain overnight? 12 Ways to fix it
• iPhone contacts disappeared? Here’s the fix!