FairEmail: The Overlooked Ultimate Email App for Android Users

Choosing the ideal Android email application can often feel like a fairy tale dilemma, where everything just falls short of perfection. Among these options lies FairEmail, an open-source app that may just be your best match, even if it hasn’t caught your attention until now.

Introducing FairEmail

After experimenting with numerous Android email solutions, I stumbled upon FairEmail. This innovative app prioritizes user privacy and is entirely open-source, supporting a variety of email accounts, although it does not accommodate non-standard protocols like Microsoft Exchange. However, it does work seamlessly with Outlook, and there are plenty of excellent alternatives available for Outlook users as well.

One of its most attractive features is that FairEmail is completely free for an unlimited number of accounts, including a host of impressive features such as:

Unified inbox for all your messages
Conversation threading for better organization
A selection of themes, available in both light and dark modes
Support for email encryption and decryption
Alerts for unauthenticated messages
A confirmation prompt before opening links (this feature can be disabled)
An ad-free experience
Energy-efficient design to save battery life
No user tracking or analytics
Backup functionality

The app’s minimalistic design may not appeal to everyone at first glance. However, this simplicity is part of its allure, allowing users to concentrate solely on their emails without distractions. Thanks to its efficient energy consumption, FairEmail has proven to be my top choice among Android email apps for maintaining battery health.

If you are an iOS user, you may need to explore alternative email applications instead.

How to Set Up Your Email Account

Upon your first installation of FairEmail, the setup process might initially feel daunting. Fortunately, the Main tab provides a guided experience for adding your first email account. While you can settle for the default settings, I encourage you to take a moment to customize your preferences. Start by selecting the Wizard option to follow the straightforward prompts for account setup. Should you encounter any issues, a manual setup option is available just below.

Adding new email accounts with the Wizard option.

To add additional accounts later, click the hamburger menu at the top left, tap on Settings (indicated by the gear icon), and choose Main.

Once your accounts are added, you’ll have immediate access to your recent emails. If you cannot find older messages, simply tap the three-dot menu located at the top right and select Fetch more messages.

Customization Options Galore

FairEmail prides itself on its highly customizable interface, allowing users to modify nearly every aspect of the app according to their tastes. While some premium features require a fee, many customization options remain accessible for free.

To explore the diverse settings, navigate to the hamburger menu and select Settings (either the gear icon at the top or the option further down the list).Take your time to examine the various categories available:

Receive
Send
Connection
Display
Behavior
Privacy
Encryption
Notifications
Integrations
Miscellaneous
Backup

While the extensive number of options can be overwhelming, this feature is a double-edged sword: it requires time to tailor the settings, but the end result creates a personalized experience that feels custom-built for each user. In comparison, few Android email applications offer such extensive customization capabilities, particularly at no cost.

If you’re interested in changing your app theme, navigate to the main email list (whether for a single account or your Unified Inbox) and select Select Theme.

Exceptional Support and Ongoing Updates

If you’re accustomed to more straightforward applications like Gmail, the array of options within FairEmail may initially come as a surprise. However, this comprehensive application truly excels in the realm of user support.

During my first week using FairEmail, I found solutions to every query I encountered, including resolving a peculiar issue involving Gmail accounts displaying messages in both the Inbox and Archive folders.

At the bottom of the help section, you can find a form to report bugs or seek assistance from the developer.

Quality Features with Optional Premium Upgrades

As of now, the only premium feature I personally miss from the free version is the option for color-coded email accounts—a feature I became accustomed to in previous applications.

In a refreshing twist, unlike many Android apps, FairEmail offers premium upgrades for a one-time fee of merely $6.49, eliminating the need for a subscription. Opting for the upgrade grants you access to a continually expanding array of features, which include:

Color-coded folders and avatars
Custom notification sounds per account; the free version permits only a single sound
Delayed message sending capability
Pre-written reply templates
Integrated calendar features
The ability to create filter rules
Biometric and PIN authentication options
Export functionalities
A widget for easy message access

Although these premium features are not essential for basic email functionality, I appreciate the one-time fee structure that allows users to support development efforts without ongoing costs.

While the free version remains ad-free, users will encounter a notification at the top of their messages encouraging upgrades. You can dismiss this reminder by tapping the hamburger menu, navigating to Pro features, and selecting Hide small message for 8 weeks. This notification will only surface occasionally, serving as the app’s only advertisement.

It’s crucial to note that FairEmail is merely a client; therefore, users must provide their email accounts. For those seeking a privacy-focused email provider, consider exploring reputable alternatives. If you require a temporary solution, throwaway email providers are also available.

Source & Images