
Apple’s latest redesign of the Mail app incorporates vibrant colors and dynamic features that some users welcome, while others yearn for the simplicity of the classic interface. If you are among those who prefer a streamlined experience, you’re in luck—restoring the old look is entirely possible!
1. Disable Contact Icons
One of the significant changes introduced in the revamped Mail app is the addition of colorful contact photos beside your emails. While these visuals are designed to enhance your ability to identify senders quickly, they can clutter your inbox.

If you find these icons distracting, you can easily remove them. Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, then navigate to Apps and select Mail from the list.

Next, in the Message List section, toggle off the Show Contact Photos option. Now, you will see a cleaner, less hectic inbox without the colorful distractions!

2. Disable Categories
The redesign introduced a categorization system meant to streamline email management. These categories include labels such as Primary and Updates, providing a structured approach to your inbox. However, if you prefer a straightforward view of all your emails without the overhead of categories, you can easily switch it off.

To achieve this, simply choose the List View option, which will hide the categories and present your emails in a clean format.

3. Ungroup Emails from the Same Sender
While the category grouping feature is intended to organize your inbox by clustering emails from the same sender, this might not suit everyone. For those who prefer to see every email as an individual item in your inbox, you have the option to ungroup these threads.

Head to a category with grouped emails, tap on the three dots in the upper right corner, and simply uncheck the Group by Sender box. This shift will make it easier for you to locate specific emails!

4. Disable Priority Emails
The Mail app’s AI feature highlights what it deems as priority emails based on various factors, but this classification is not always accurate. If you’d prefer not to be disrupted by AI’s selections, you can turn this feature off.
Simply open your Mail app and tap on the three dots in the upper corner, then deselect the Show Priority option.

5. Update Mail App Notification Count
Previously, the Mail app badge notification indicated the total count of unread messages, but this has now changed to represent only the new emails in the Primary category. If you wish to revert to the old system, there’s a simple fix.
Open Settings, navigate to Apps followed by Mail and then Notifications.

At the bottom, select Customize Notifications, and choose All Unread Messages to display the complete count of unread emails. This adjustment can significantly improve your workflow!


Bringing back the classic look of your Apple Mail app can enhance your productivity and align the app more closely with your personal style. Ready to enjoy a more familiar email experience? Follow the above steps and reclaim your inbox!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I revert to the old Apple Mail interface on my iPhone or iPad?
You can restore the classic look of the Apple Mail app by disabling contact icons, turning off email categories, ungrouping emails, and adjusting notification settings by following the steps outlined in the guide above.
2. What if I like some new features of the redesigned Mail app?
It’s perfectly okay to enjoy certain new elements of the Mail app while opting to revert other aspects. You can selectively disable specific features that you find unnecessary while keeping others active based on your preference.
3. Can I expect future updates to change these settings again?
Yes, Apple frequently updates its iOS and applications, which may introduce new features or modify existing ones. It’s wise to check for updates and changes to settings during new iOS releases to ensure your preferred email experience is maintained.
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