Mail is very slow downloading in iOS 18

I had this super annoying problem for a while too, and today I discovered a fix. At least this works for me:

1. Go into Settings / Wi-Fi and click on the little i (info) icon next to your CURRENTLY ACTIVE Wifi connection
2. Scroll down to "Configure DNS" and go into it
3. Set it to manual
4. REMOVE the exisiting one which is the address of your router
5. ADD a new one to a public DNS like Cloudflare or Google (I used 1.1.1.1 Cloudflare)

And that is it! Now I am getting mail at regular speeds again! I didn't need to turn off any privacy protection or any other setting! Hope this helps someone else.

Update:

After doing this fix, I started seeing Gmail account error messages.

I deleted the Gmail account in Mail Settings and reloaded it.

it seems to be working properly now.

I have the same problem with IMAP on Ionos / 1&1 servers.

I have the issue with Xfinity. 😔

Removed the gmail account and added it back. Solved the issue.

Same issue. Tried microsoft outlook app and it’s way faster. I hate to say this since I prefer working with Apple email. Unfortunately Apple is not listening!

Thank you, this fixed the issue for me with the PiHole on my local network.

@florian278 Which fix worked for you?

Mine is doing same- just gets stuck on loading

@Eheffa Thanks Evan - Tried the suggested change & hit 'done' but, when I go back into email account settings the (/) is greyed back out - are others noticing the change is not being saved?

Just updated my phone to version 18.3, problem remains the same. When are these geniuses going to resolve this issue finally???

Are they kidding? It’s happening all over the place. It needs fixing asap. I can’t work properly and I look like a fool at meetings trying to open an email.

What specifically worked? I’ve tried most of the suggested solutions and they have not worked.

As with several other people, I found that deleting my Gmail account (on both the iPhone and iPad) and re-adding them seems to have solved my slow download problems, but Apple, why should this have been necessary?

I have switched to Edison mail. I preferred Apple mail, but as it no longer works I have no choice. I tried Outlook but couldn’t get my phone contacts added. Apple need to start listening to their customers.