- Incoming mail is automatically sorted into four inboxes
- AI can help you quickly pen a response to an email
- A new Digest view gives an overview of all mail from a particular sender
The Mail app in iOS has barely changed in ten years, with Apple adopting an if it ain’t broke approach to the iPhone’s default email client. But with the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18, Mail is finally getting a boost with several AI-powered enhancements. Let’s see what’s in store.
This feature is available as part of the Apple Intelligence Beta in iOS 18.1, and will require an AI-compatible device.
Inbox sorting
Mail borrowed a popular feature from third-party clients with the introduction of smart email categorization. That means all incoming emails are automatically sorted into one of four boxes: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.
Primary is the default inbox, and will be used for personal mail from contacts you actually know. Here, you’ll also see a Priority section pinned to the top, containing anything the app deems to be time-sensitive.
By consigning the flow of less important messages to the other themed inboxes, Mail aims to keep you focused on things that might actually need a response. To switch to another inbox, use the icons at the top of the display.
All this categorization is done securely on-device to protect your privacy.
Smart replies
Apple Intelligence is here to make replying to emails less of a time sink. Smart Replies help you draft up responses quickly, using the large language models behind its new Writing Tools.
AI scans the meaning of an incoming email, figuring out any key points that require attention. It will then ask you a handful of clarifying questions to get your thoughts. Simply tap the relevant responses, press Done, and watch it craft a reply that (in theory) deftly covers your answers. The results can then be tweaked and personalized before sending.
The same intelligence powers a new feature that summarizes long emails for you. Simply tap the Summarize button at the top of an email to generate an easily scannable summary.
Digest view
One last addition to Mail is the new Digest view that gives you an overview of business emails, even when they span many discrete messages over a number of years.
When you get a repeat email from a business, tap its name to see the relevant Digest view. This lumps together all relevant emails from the same sender, with an automated summary that helps you quickly scan for important info. This could be a real boon when looking for tickets, sales receipts, and the like.