In an era where digital communication is paramount, Apple has recently rolled out significant updates to its Mail app across various devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With the introduction of these updates, users have noticed considerable alterations in the app's appearance and functionality. If you're among those who prefer the familiar look and feel of the Mail app prior to these updates, read on to discover how you can revert to the classic version.

When Apple launched the iOS 18.1 update, it introduced an innovative feature called priority messages, which is designed to enhance user experience through the use of Apple’s AI technology. Following this, iOS 18.2 presented new Categories that automatically organize emails into four distinct sections: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. This transition not only streamlined email management but also incorporated contact photos and business logos, aiming to provide a richer context for conversations in the inbox.

The rollout continued with the release of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4, marking the complete implementation of these changes across all Apple devices. However, for users who may not favor the new interface or find it less intuitive, Apple has included several options to restore the classic functionality. Let’s explore how to navigate these changes and revert to the traditional Mail experience.

How to Disable Mail Categories

The newly introduced Categories view has garnered mixed reactions. While some users appreciate its organizational capabilities, others have criticized it for adding unnecessary complexity. For many long-time users, the traditional chronological inbox view is not only a familiar comfort but a necessary tool for managing emails effectively.

Although the Categories feature does not physically relocate emails out of the inbox, it alters the visual layout and functional flow, which can feel somewhat counterintuitive. Users have reported confusion due to the overlap between Primary and Priority messages, where the functionality is similar yet not identical, leading to a lack of clarity in managing emails efficiently. Additionally, the fact that emails can appear in multiple categories simultaneously further complicates matters.

To return to a classic inbox view on your iPhone or iPad, you can simply swipe left across the categories to access an “All Mail” view. On a Mac, this option is available to the right of the new category buttons. If you wish to completely disable the categories, follow these straightforward steps:

• Open the Mail app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Tap the More button (three dots) located in the upper right corner of your inbox.
• Select List View from the pop-up menu.

The More menu also includes an “About Categories” feature that provides an overview of how your messages have been sorted over the past week, although it does not allow you to correct any misclassifications.

On a Mac, the process is similarly simple:

• Click the More button (three dots) at the top of your inbox view.
• Uncheck the Show Mail Categories option from the dropdown menu.

This change will revert your inbox to the traditional chronological order immediately, providing instant relief for those who preferred the old layout. While the categorization feature may still see improvements over time, users can easily switch back and forth between views as desired.

How to Remove Contact Photos in Mail

In an effort to enhance user experience, Apple has incorporated contact photos into the Mail app, allowing users to identify senders at a glance. However, this feature can sometimes lead to a cluttered inbox, especially when the app fails to recognize certain businesses or when contacts do not have associated photos.

If you find the contact photos detracting from your email experience, you can easily disable them:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Scroll to the bottom and tap on Apps.
• Find Mail in the list and tap on it.
• Under “Message List,” toggle off the switch next to Show Contact Photos.

To reinstate the contact pictures, simply reverse the process. In the upcoming iOS 18.5, currently in beta testing, Apple plans to introduce a more convenient option that will allow users to disable contact photos directly from the Mail app.

For Mac users, the process is straightforward as well:

• Click Mail in the menu bar and select View.
• Uncheck the Contact Photos option from the dropdown menu.

How to Disable Priority Messages

The introduction of priority messages, particularly for devices equipped with Apple Intelligence, was designed to help users identify their most important emails quickly. However, the underlying AI has not reached full maturity and may occasionally flag junk or phishing emails as priorities, creating unnecessary risks.

If you prefer to disable this feature due to its occasional inaccuracies, you can follow these steps:

• On your iPhone or iPad, tap the More button (three dots) in the upper right corner of your inbox, then uncheck Show Priority.
• On a Mac, click Mail in the menu bar and uncheck the Priority Messages option from the dropdown menu.

Keep in mind that this option will not be available on devices that lack Apple Intelligence support.

Conclusion

As Apple endeavors to enhance the Mail experience across its ecosystem, it is apparent that the company is striving for a more intelligent and organized approach to managing emails. However, with such significant modifications being rolled out, it is not uncommon for user preferences to be overlooked. Thankfully, Apple has provided several options for users to disable or ameliorate many of these new features, allowing for a degree of customization that was not always present in previous updates.

Although the current implementation may not cater to everyone’s preferences—and in some cases can lead to confusion—there is optimism that Apple will take user feedback into account. Continuous efforts to refine the system promise a future where email management is smarter, more flexible, and less intrusive.