Mail not working on iPhone after iOS 18 Update

I first started having issues with Mail on a iPhone SE (3rd Generation) after updating to iOS 18.1.1. The sequence >>Connecting>>Checking for Mail>>Downloading X Messages>> took at least 45 seconds. Further IMAP sync was not working properly. I spoke w/Apple Support on 11/24/24 and was even escalated to the next level. We took the following actions during several interactions:

• checked fetch/push settings
• turned off VPN
• did diagnostics on the phone
• submitted videos and screenshots to document the problem(s)
• reinstalled Comcast email
• reinstalled complete Apple Mail app
• updated to iOS 18.2 on 12/25/24

None of this solved the problem. After a month of trying to fix the problem I decided to delete Apple Mail and use Gmail on my iPhone. Gmail is blazingly fast and IMAP sync is working properly with virtually instant response time. Given this, I'm going to stick w/Gmail. I've asked the Apple Support team to feel free to contact me if the Apple teams can fix this issue.

I think we all can agree that Apple IMAP has an issue that Apple is not resolving or even acknowledging at this time. I suggest that all of us, exam and everyone of us, submit a ticket instead of just replying to all of us that yours isn't working either. That doesn't move us towards a solution. Just my $0.02 worth

After testing and deciding to use Gmail on my iPhone SE (3rd Gen) because of the issues with iOS 18, I completely deleted the Apple Mail app. In Settings>>Apps>>Gmail you can specify the Default Email App, which I have set to Gmail. This last step may not be necessary if you do not have any other mail apps installed. This may help with the auto-launch issue.

Thank you. That was the discussion I meant to reference but could not find. It seems to me that Apple should provide a fall back to disable pipelining. Highly likely this is the problem I see on occasion where it spins around making no progress. Likely imap commands have been discarded.

I have no idea what sort of mail server code Comcast runs and I suspect they would not divulge that to me if I asked. That is why it’s a hard issue for an end user to pursue.

you can bet though that if a large company like Comcast is having trouble there are many frustrated users out there. The problem will only get worse as new phones are purchased and /or old phones are upgraded to iOS 18.

there is not even the slightest doubt in my mind that this problem started with iOS 18.

“you can bet though that if a large company like Comcast is having trouble there are many frustrated users out there. The problem will only get worse as new phones are purchased and /or old phones are upgraded to iOS 18.” - I use Comcast Xfinity email as well, am a long-time Comcast Xfinity internet AND Xfinity Mobile subscriber with 2 lines. When the iOS 18 versions were first released I was unable to utilize the Comcast email account via Apple Mail (I kept 17 on a couple of devices until I was certain the problem was fixed). Even my icloud mail accounts were functioning only so-so. I notified both Apple and Comcast of the problem and was told by Comcast that they expected to have the problem fixed at THEIR end within a couple of days (Apple customer support reps were clueless but passed my report on up their ladder). Sure enough Comcast resolved the problem, at least for my account, icloud accounts functioning gradually improved, and all’s been working fine for me ever since even with 18.2.1. So I suspect that the issue(s) is/are fairly complex if any Xfinity IMAP accounts are still not working correctly for Apple Mail across the country on all Apple devices running 18.

Not particularly useful if you already have a valid certificate for the mail server.

I already have a Digicert valid mail server cert, for access from external networks. However on the LAN, the mail server is accessed using its IP address. So the cert checking fails in the iDevice, however if explicit trust of the mail server cert was allowed when using the IP address then it would pass.

rjsqxxx wrote:

iOS 18 mail is awful. Hangs quite often. Apple should fall back to IoS 17 mail and figure out why it works so poorly.

Have you told Apple how you feel?

Product Feedback - Apple

Meanwhile, there are lots of other mail apps available in the App Store. Perhaps one of them would suit you better.

Hey, are you still using in 2024 hotmail ???? LOL Try Securityfile Mail NO ads NO phone number No spam!

I have the same problem on iPhone 11 Pro iOS18. When I delete mail account and add again problem solved on 10 min. After 10 min. problem is back.

But on iPhone 13 Mini iOS18 works good.

No, it’s a problem created with the rollout of iOS 18. Apple admits to the problem.

In settings go down to Apps then open Mail, the account settings are now buried under there.

Can confirm, I just got Canary Mail up and running it seems to working just fine. Disappointing to say the least, hopefully Apple makes this right quickly.

You are spot on. Issue is only with devices that upgraded to iOS 18; in other words iPads and iPhones. Not a problem whatsoever with my Mac and I run the latest MacOS.

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Yes, Apple and various affected carriers (ex: Rogers Yahoo) made some changes yesterday morning and I've had many reports of people's mail now working again.