Mail App Missing From iPhone? Here’s The Real Fix!

The Mail app is missing on your iPhone and you don’t know where it went. The Mail app allows you to link all of your important email accounts in one place, whether you prefer to use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another email service. In this article, I’ll show you what to do when the Mail app is missing from your iPhone so you can start sending and receiving important emails again.

Why Is The Mail App Missing From My iPhone?

The Mail app is missing from your iPhone because someone deleted it, or prevented you from using by changing a Screen Time setting. Unlike other native apps such as Safari or the Camera app, it is possible to delete the Mail app on your iPhone.

Reinstall The Mail App In The App Store

If the Mail app has been deleted on your iPhone, you can go into the App Store and download it again. Open App Store, and tap the Search tab in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Type “Mail” into the search box at the top of the screen.

Once you’ve found the Mail app in the App Store, tap the Cloud button to its right. The Mail app will download and reinstall on your iPhone.

reinstall mail app on your iphone

Keep in mind that when you reinstall the Mail app on your iPhone, it will probably be in a different place than you’re used to. You may have to swipe a few pages over on the Home screen before you see it.

I Reinstalled The Mail App, But My Accounts Aren’t There!

When the Mail app gets deleted on an iPhone, any of the email accounts you linked to it will be switched to inactive even after you reinstall the app.

To reactivate them, open Settings and tap Mail -> Accounts. Tap on your email address, then turn on the switch next to Mail.

turn on mail in iphone settings

Check Screen Time On Your iPhone

It’s possible Mail is missing because a Screen Time setting is preventing you from using it. While Screen Time can be extremely useful for limiting distractions or setting parental controls, they can also cause a lot of problems when set up incorrectly.

Open Settings and tap Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions. Then, tap Allowed Apps and make sure the switch next to Mail is on.

turn on mail in allowed apps

Hide And Seek

You’ve reinstalled the Mail app on your iPhone and you can start sending emails once again. Next time the Mail app is missing from your iPhone, you’ll know exactly where to find it! If you have any other questions about your iPhone, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!

About Author

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

Subscribe
Notify of
36 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Francine
1 year ago

When I go to settings there is no account for me to add mail

Deb
1 year ago

I have the same problem as a previous person. There’s no cloud to tap to reinstall Mail on my phone. Mail doesn’t move when i hold it and try to drag it to my Home Screen.

Care
2 years ago

Hey there , I have the app but when I go into my mail and a specific folder it says “no mail” which is not true I can look at it on the computer but not on my phone , why do you think that is ? Thank you!

C Wall
2 years ago
Reply to  Care

I have the same issue. Mail is gone.

Silvia Singer
2 years ago

Excellent help, my question is:
The first screen on my iPhone 12 Pro disappeared erasing all the Apps I had there (my most used ones) why did this happened?

Ken
2 years ago

Great help, thanks

Angie Dutton
2 years ago

My mail app has disappeared of my screen but when I go to the App Store it only says ‘open’ which I can but how do I get it back on my screen please – as there is no cloud showing – thanks

Bernadette
2 years ago

there is no mail app on my allowed apps its missing

Foster
2 years ago

Did not work for me, no iCloud icon, says open, when I go to next screens and follow prompts will not download, HELP!!!

Tammi
2 years ago

I don’t have the cloud option. I only have an open option.

Irene
2 years ago

Extremely helpful, thanks!

Dee Dee
3 years ago

love you both
what about mail forwarding (to stop)??

Dee Dee
3 years ago
Reply to  Dee Dee

How do I get my mail to stop forwarding on my iphone. I did not set it to forward but it does.

Donna
3 years ago

I now get a message that is is already on my phone, how do I open it then?

Cynthia
3 years ago

I’ve reinstalled & activated the accounts but now all emails in the inbox are from No Sender…
Help?

Vera
3 years ago

Thank you ❤️

Adrian nixon
3 years ago

I opened the apt store found my mail but when I leave it disappears again …every time I want to look or read my emails I got to follow this same process!!! Help

Nymeria Laine
4 years ago

Thank you! When I have an iPhone issue, and I have plenty, I always come to you for help ☺️

Diane
4 years ago

When I try to open my Mail app from the App Store it states that Restrictions Enabled – how do I turn restrictions off?

Allie
4 years ago

I opened the mail app but there is no iCloud download sign. It only says open which does take me to my account but it doesn’t get reinstalled on my homepage.

May
4 years ago

I opened the mail app but there is no iCloud download sign. It only says open which does take me to my account but it doesn’t get reinstalled on my homepage. I’m hoping you can solve this riddle for me, thanks!

Jim
4 years ago

No cloud. It says open.

Poop
3 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Mine also has no clue and says open. The actual app button is nowhere to be found on my home screens.

Stephanie
4 years ago

Hi, found the email app and reinstalled it but on accounts page the switch next to mail does not stay on!

Kimberly
4 years ago

Hi David, I’ll apologize in advance for this ridiculous question! My mail app was missing and I managed to redownload it, however, I’m guessing I have to resign in somehow. I don’t know how to do that????
Please help

Anonymous
5 years ago

Thank you!! I was going crazy because I couldn’t figure this out.

Anonymous
5 years ago

thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Anonymous
5 years ago

I want to add the mail app icon only

Anonymous
5 years ago

Thank you so much. I was stumped and after googling for help had a bunch of wrong advice. This was so simple!

Anonymous
5 years ago

Fantastic! Worked – after an hour of trying everything suggested elsewhere. Somehow, Mail had been switched off in each! THANK YOU!

Anonymous
6 years ago

I don’t have ‘accounts and passwords’ in settings.

Francine
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

I don’t have accounts in my settings

Anonymous
6 years ago

Thank you – very helpful!!

Anonymous
6 years ago

Lostemails for [email protected]