Level 1

31 points

How can I disable icons in the Mail app on iOS 18.3?

Updated to the new iOS 18.3 and just opened Mail, to be visually assaulted by a new look with tags and email icons. Look I appreciate having the sorting options. But, I would prefer having the option to turn this off. I was able to bring it back to a list view in the preferences, but I can’t get rid of the icons next to each email, that are now taking up screen space. I have the largest sized iPhone for a reason. So I can enlarge my text to a size I’m able to read with my old man eyes. The icons now truncate the amount of text visible in the preview. I don’t need icons I need to know if I have to read the email now or later. Please fix this or give me a solve.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 7, 2025 9:19 AM

Top-ranking reply

Iafeef

Level 7

26,365 points

Posted on Feb 7, 2025 9:37 AM

Hey there,

I understand your concern regarding the new icons in the Mail app on iOS 18.3, which are affecting your email preview visibility. To revert to a cleaner, more traditional list view without these icons, please follow these steps:

To Disable Contact Photos in Mail:

Go to Settings > Mail > In the Message List section, toggle off Show Contact Photos.

This action will remove the icons next to each email, providing a more streamlined list view.

Note: this user to user forum not official Apple support , In case you want to provide feedback to Apple tap here ☞ Product Feedback - Apple

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108 replies

Kimbee74

Level 1

20 points

Feb 11, 2025 8:00 AM in response to lobsterghost1

EXACTLY the answer that I was looking for. Thank you so much! Took my email back to how it was before the update!!

Feb 11, 2025 8:08 AM in response to Kimbee74

You're very welcome!

Feb 11, 2025 10:39 AM in response to BigFLBear

Thanks, that was very helpful! Apple really missed the boat with this update as far as the Mail inbox is concerned.

Feb 11, 2025 11:10 AM in response to Mckyj

Absolutely! We need less, not more.

Madiers

Level 1

8 points

Feb 11, 2025 1:25 PM in response to lobsterghost1

That worked! Thank you thank you thank you.

Feb 11, 2025 2:17 PM in response to Madiers

You're welcome welcome!

Feb 11, 2025 3:46 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Appreciate your answer regarding the icons but I can’t stand the small blue dots designating new mail. I want to go back to bolding. Can I?

Feb 11, 2025 5:28 PM in response to BigFLBear

Thank you. That sucks. Somebody needs to unbake them.😀

Feb 12, 2025 6:34 AM in response to karen4123

Thanks to all above for showing us how to fix "improvements" to mail with 18.3.

jriv3415

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2025 7:44 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thank you from a “very large font” user!!!!

Feb 12, 2025 7:57 AM in response to jriv3415

This small font user, says You're Welcome!

Feb 12, 2025 9:12 AM in response to LOiPhone

You're welcome. I'm afraid as I don't speak French, I wouldn't have known having the language set to French would impact this. Thanks for letting me know that.

Saharya

Level 1

8 points

Feb 14, 2025 1:30 AM in response to BigFLBear

Thank you so much much! Is there also a way to remove the icons from showing up in each individual email when you open it? 🙏🏽

r4lf

Level 2

453 points

Feb 14, 2025 1:47 PM in response to BigFLBear

I think Apple needs to ensure that new design concepts like the iOS 18.2 Mail app changes, which affect millions of users, can be completely switched off in some way. Thank you Apple! 🙏

Feb 17, 2025 5:28 AM in response to snrmv19

You're welcome. It "might" be considered a bad update, if you couldn't change it. But since you can change it, I don't think it's bad. Just different.

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How can I disable icons in the Mail app on iOS 18.3?