iCloud Mail doesn't push

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iCloud Mail doesn't push

After 15 years of using a Mac I finally decided to get rid of Gmail and move to iCloud Mail...primarily because I wanted to be 100% in the Apple ecosystem. But I’m not happy at all with iCloud mail as it will not send push notifications as Apple says it will. I have it correctly configured on a new iPhone 11 Pro, notifications are on, and yes...it’s set to PUSH in settings.

The only way I know if I have new email is if I open the phone and then actually open Mail.app, which is a far cry from push. And even then, it displays “Updating Mail” for about a full minute before ever displaying new messages. I’m on a very high speed connection so that’s not the problem. No sounds, no badges...nothing until I open the app.

I really like the UI/UX of the mail app in iOS 13 but if this is expected behavior I’ll have to go back to Gmail.

iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 6:08 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Larry McJunkin Author

Level 2

156 points

Oct 17, 2019 8:16 PM in response to chuck_3rd

Thanks, but I’ve done all that. I’m a retired IT director plus have about 15 yrs of developer experience (not iOS).

This is something Mail.app on iOS has always done...it simply won’t populate new messages into the inbox until you open the app.

if I use my Mac, and on Safari go to Gmail.com and send myself a test message to my Gmail account, in less than a couple of seconds it’s on my iOS Gmail app in the inbox and has notified me with the red badge as well as a notification sound. That is Push email.

if I do the same thing, but send a test message to my iCloud account there is no red badge or notification sound in Mail.app. And as long as I don’t open Mail.app I’ll never know I received that message...it will do nothing.

So iCloud mail does not have push email as Apple says. If Mail.app is open on my iPhone and I’m looking at the inbox , then sure, I’ll get the email right away. Do you know anyone who keeps their phone on and open 24/7...and with Mail.app open? Neither do I.

I’ll just give up and go back to using my Gmail address and use the iOS Gmail app. I often need instant notification of arriving email and I can’t get it with iCloud email and Mail.app. Thanks.

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Answer 2

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Oct 17, 2019 2:14 PM in response to Larry McJunkin

Hello Larry McJunkin,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. I understand that you’re not getting notifications for iCloud mail from the Mail app on your iPhone 11 Pro. I’m happy to help.

Please use the steps here to restart your iPhone: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

Apple has recently released iOS 13.1.3. If you haven’t does so, please back up and update using there steps here: Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Oct 20, 2019 5:41 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

Welcome back Larry McJunkin.

When setting up a Gmail account on your iPhone to use with the Mail app, Gmail can fetch email at the time interval selected. iCloud email accounts, i.e. @mac.com, @me.com, @icloud.com, are able to push email notifications. Please use the steps in the section titled “Check iOS Mail Fetch and Notification settings” here: If you can’t send or receive emails on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If you still need help, please contact Apple Support here: Get Support

Cheers.

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iCloud Mail doesn't push

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