Push and Fetch options on email account on iPhones

Last modified: Jan 25, 2026 7:12 AM
779 20930 Last modified Jan 25, 2026 7:12 AM

On iPhone, you have the option to choose between "Push" and "Fetch" for your email accounts. These options determine how your device retrieves new emails and keeps your inbox up to date. Here's a brief explanation of each option:


  1. Push: When you select the "Push" option, your iPhone receives new emails in real-time as they arrive on the mail server. This means that as soon as a new email arrives, it is pushed to your iPhone, providing you with instant access to your messages. This is the most immediate and efficient way to stay updated with your emails.
  2. Fetch: With the "Fetch" option, your iPhone periodically checks for new emails at specified intervals, such as every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hourly. It fetches new messages from the mail server based on the selected interval. This option helps conserve battery life as your iPhone isn't constantly checking for new emails. However, it may introduce a slight delay in receiving messages compared to the "Push" option.


To configure the Push or Fetch settings for your email accounts on iPhone:

  1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on "Mail" or "Mail, Contacts, Calendars," depending on your iOS version.
  3. Select "Accounts" or the email account you want to configure.
  4. Tap on "Fetch New Data."
  5. Choose either the "Push" or "Fetch" option.
  6. If you selected the "Fetch" option, you can customize the fetching interval by tapping "Fetch" and selecting the desired time interval.
  7. You can repeat these steps for each email account you want to configure.


Note that the availability of Push or Fetch options may depend on your email service provider and account type. Some email providers may not support the Push option and only offer Fetch as the retrieval method.

It's worth considering your personal preferences, battery life considerations, and the importance of real-time email updates when selecting the appropriate option for each of your email accounts.


Now, you know that there are two settings (Fetch and Push Mail)


Google, AOL, Yahoo - Only Fetch mail Option is available

iCloud, Exchange, Outlook - Both Fetch and Push Mail option is available


Refer to the 3 GIFs below




Comments

Jan 25, 2026 7:12 AM

The “fetch” terminology used by Apple and by this tip is also commonly called polling, where the mail client periodically polls the mail server for updates, and the Apple “push” terminology is (apparently) IMAP IDLE push notifications (and apparently not involving Apple’s own push notifications; APNs push notifications service).


IMAP IDLE attempts to hold a connection between the mail client and the mail server, and which doesn’t work great on iPhone and iPad devices due to both power requirements and changes to network communications paths. Desktops,can hold those connections, while on mobile devices those can drop.


The other option for receiving notifications and mail server message sync (read, deleted, moved, etc) is switching to a mail server that offers Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync.


Best svailable options are fetch (polling) and ActiveSync where available.


This reply mostly to get these terms associated with this otherwise quite-useful tip.


Corrections welcome.

Jan 25, 2026 7:12 AM

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.