Apple Mail in IOS 18.7.1 and 26 both refuse to load remote images in HTML email body send dialog

This from Google Gemini

This issue of remote images (often in HTML email bodies, like those used for signatures or complex layouts) not loading in the Apple Mail compose/send dialog on recent iOS versions like 18.7.1 and the future iOS 26 is likely related to Mail Privacy Protection and how Apple Mail handles images that are linked (remote) rather than embedded.

Here are the most common reasons and potential workarounds, based on similar issues users have faced:

1. Mail Privacy Protection (MPP)

Apple introduced Mail Privacy Protection in iOS 15, which is designed to prevent email senders from learning information about your Mail activity, including whether you've opened an email and your IP address.

• How it relates to your issue: Even in the compose window, the Mail app might be applying privacy rules, especially if the HTML content is being pasted or loaded and references external image URLs. The app might be blocking the download of these remote resources.
• Workaround/Check:

1. 1. Go to Settings > Mail.
   2. Tap Privacy Protection.
   3. If Protect Mail Activity is enabled, try turning it off temporarily (or ensure that Block All Remote Content is not enabled if Protect Mail Activity is off).
   4. Test the compose dialog again.

2. VPN or Ad/Tracking Blockers

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) or any third-party app that blocks ads and tracking can interfere with remote content loading, as these services often intercept network requests.

• Workaround/Check:

1. 1. Temporarily disable your VPN if you are using one.
   2. Temporarily disable any third-party content blockers or anti-tracking apps.
   3. Test the Mail compose dialog.

3. Nature of Remote Images in Apple Mail

Apple Mail on iOS often defaults to embedding images when you paste them into the compose window or use the standard attachment process. For true remote-loading HTML content (like an advanced HTML signature), you are often bypassing the standard Mail composition features.

• If you are using an HTML Signature: Remote images in HTML signatures on Apple Mail often require a specific, non-standard process to ensure they are linked and not embedded as an attachment. If you've created a custom HTML signature, ensure your image URLs are absolute (https://...) and the HTML structure is sound.
• If you are pasting HTML: Copying and pasting complex HTML (with remote images) from a web page or an HTML file into the Mail compose window is an inherently non-standard process, and image loading can be inconsistent due to the Mail app's security and rendering limitations.

4. Temporary Glitch

Sometimes, app-specific issues can be resolved with simple steps.

• Force Quit and Relaunch: Force quit the Mail app and relaunch it.
• Restart Device: Restart your iPhone or iPad.

Since you mention the issue persists across two very specific, high-versioned iOS releases (18.7.1 and 26), it strongly suggests a consistent software/privacy setting conflict (like Mail Privacy Protection) or a limitation in how Mail on those OS versions renders external HTML content in the composition view.

It’s another fine mess by….

The privacy submenu in the settings of the mail app flights the “Load remote content,” and they cancel each other. I reported it to Apple twice, but they’re not listening. The simple solution for me was to make the Gmail app my default mail app and generate an in-app password for my iCloud account, adding it to the Gmail app, instead of wasting hours tryingto fix other people's mess. Done.

PS

You need to turn the notifications on for the Gmail app so you get the new mail count. You can also put the Gmail app on the dock and hide the mail app out of sight.

CorvusCaurinus (Author)

Be sure these iOS versions have seen most recent updates.

.Newer security update-step exists for your iOS version.

Released: September 29, 2025

Apple security releases - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/100100

"The latest version of iOS and iPadOS is 26.0.1. Learn

how to update the software on your iPhone or iPad."

These may be checked online, for downloadable resources

or may be in Automatic-Downloads. ~ Per chosen Settings.

Get help with security issues - Apple Support

•About the security content of iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1 - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/125326

"If you believe that you've discovered a security or privacy vulner-

ability in an Apple product, learn how to submit your research."

CorvusCaurinus (Author)

You should Report this issue to Feedback in Apple Mail.

[And be sure to differentiate iOS and iPadOS products.]

This is a second chance - thread stuck as if failed!

Product Feedback [iOS & macOS varies: try Hardware]

Feedback - iPad - Apple

//www.apple.com/feedback/ipad/

I have reported this issue to Apple twice but they’re not listening.

Problem is that they have created a submenu in Mail’s settings as “privacy protection”, separate from the “load remote content” not only two functions fight each other but also as soon as you leave the former submenu it reverts back to its original position. A sad day for Apple

CorvusCaurinus (Author)

You should Report this issue to Feedback in Apple Mail.

.Be certain you've detailed matters with precision too.

Product Feedback [iOS & macOS varies: try Hardware]

see iPadOS below.. thread messed up!

Other places: try & offer 'official Feedback' to Apple..

'Mail' only appears -under macOS software- not iOS.

•Product Feedback - Apple (hardware + software)

//www.apple.com/feedback/