Why do I see a Blue box and not able to access emails on my iPhone?

I had the same problem since IOS 17.3.1 update to 11 ProMax No images in emails just blue question marks instead. Apple tech had no solution flipped lots of switches nothing helped. Articles and chat rooms had nothing. I repeatedly reset my network and then did a phone reset no help. Very frustrating. I went to settings then mail then privacy protection. Protect mail and block all images already were off. Then on a whim disabled Hide IP Address. Images now appear. I am monitoring to determine if resolved. Don’t know why it works but it does for me. So far so good for the last 24 hours. Try it and LMN if it works for you.

Lot's of people have complained about it in various chat rooms. And many folks - like you and me - are aware of the workaround - to click at the top to allow them. Many folks want the images to show as before and not to have to go to the extra step of clicking at the top for them to show on each and every email. Its a big waste of time for those with hundreds of daily news feeds etc. Problem remains annoying.

I’m having the same issue. Privacy protection is off now (even though I’ve always had it on and never had a problem)..i don’t even have the “load content” option on the top anymore or “download images” ..so there is ZERO workaround and no one seems to have a resolution 😩

I have wrestled with this for months, something I changed in the network settings was causing the problem. I spent an hour with senior support and they had no answer, they couldn’t tell me what setting changed it. What did bring the images back was a basic reset, Settings ~ General ~ Reset ~ reset all settings

The images all returned.

I keep getting 'blue boxed question marks' instead of pictures in email and on various websites. I have been through the 'privacy' settings as suggested but it has not worked.

Please advise.

Hi xVaktus,

Thanks for posting here in Apple Support Communities. The first thing that we'd suggest you do is to update the software on your iPhone to the latest iOS release as this may help to resolve the issue you're facing. See: Update your iPhone or iPad

Kind regards.

Was this issue solved? I am facing the same problem and have tried several settings with no luck. :(

I have never been able to figure out how to make the problem stop, or why some emails don't work and others do, but the fix is at the top of the email there is a box that you can click that says something about showing the images. I had the problem last night but its gone right now. The way to get the images to show is to click that small option at the very top. Mine shows below a message stating that "this message is from a mailing list." So, now I click on show images and everything loads, which makes the answers about the content not being available moot. They are just being blocked. Don't know why, I mean mine are ads for places like Fontanini, Carters/Oshkosh, Hanna Anderssen, Costco. Definitely nothing of worry...So look at the top. And hope, that for some random reason like mine, it will go away. At least it's a work around.

Response to xVaktus … Mail ~ blue question mark

Hi ,

In Settings > mail > privacy protection > protect mail activity > OFF .

The question mark is in place of remote images , they're loading in the background for your security . I think there is an option to load them at the top of the mail message .

🔐

Legal - Data & Privacy - Apple

https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/mail-privacy-protection/

And where the heqq is "Hide IP Address" found?? I'm on HS 10.13.6 and don't have any "Privacy" or "Hide IP Address" that I can see.

OCgeek’s solution of turning off Hide IP address in Settings/ Mail/ Privacy Protection works! Powered off/on IPhone, now not getting blue box ?s in email. Thank you OC geek.

Thanks so much for confirming that xVaktus,

If updating has not helped, and the issue appears in multiple email apps (not just the iOS Mail app), it may be a wider issue related to the email itself. Are you able to access the attachments on another device?

If so, we would suggest getting in touch with Apple Support directly. They will have the tools and resources to further investigate the issue for you. You can do that here: Get Support

Have a wonderful day!

Me three. On HS 10.13.6. This did not used to happen but is getting very frequent and inconsistent. I don't have any "privacy" in my Apple Mail preferences and see nowhere to control this. Any ideas out there? Thanks.

I know it’s crazy making. Sorry I have nothing more to offer. Above note re disabling hide IP address worked for me.

did you try again going to settings then general then at the very bottom reset. There you can reset network settings and also reset all settings that is back to apple default. Just be careful you don’t choose the Erase all contents option that deletes your data. When you reset all settings you keep you data but will need to add some of your personal settings again for each app by example location tracking and notifications and your facial definition log in etc. then go back to the mail privacy settings again to ensure they are all switched off. Shut down your phone. Leave it off a couple of minutes. When on again check that the mail privacy switches are off.

FYI I use the IPhone email app not a 3rd party app

please know that I am not an apple tech. Just another user sharing what worked on my iPhone to fix images not appearing and blue question marks issue.