Email slow after iOS 26.1 update

joeinAnaheim wrote:

Hi Mac Jim,

I just rechecked and my accounts are set to "Fetch" and "Automatically". I did notice that under the "Fetch" settings when it is set to "Automatically" it says "Your iPhone will fetch new data in the background only when on power and Wi-Fi. So does this mean that it will only get my email when I am connected to power and when I am connected to a Wi-Fi system? I do not recall this being the case before. I'd get my emails pretty much all day long.

Yes that has always been the case for fetching emails with the Automatic setting. Here is a screenshot going back to iOS 11 where it is the same. You can change it to 15 minutes to fetch emails manually, but that does come at a minor expense of increase battery usage.

I don't think there has been a change in the Background Refresh option for Mail, but you may want to check at Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Background App Refresh, and make sure it is set to Wifi & Cellular. And finally make sure you are not using Low Power Mode where your Battery indicator on the top of the phone will be Yellow. This will stop Mail Fetch. If your Battery indicator is yellow, turn Off Low Power Mode at Settings > Battery.

Use Low Power Mode to save battery life on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If you are only seeing the fetching of the emails being slow after opening the Mail app on WiFi, then that could indicate a router issue where restarting the router may provide a solution. A good test is to see if the same slow response occurs on cellular too.

joeinAnaheim wrote:

I have an iPhone 15 that was "updated" a few weeks ago with ios 26.1. Is there any possible way to go back to another version?

No. And that is the wrong question.

Why it’s important to update your software - Apple Support

iOS 26.1 is no longer current.

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Using this feature would certainly slow your Mail activity. If you’re using it and want faster Mail, stop using it.

Use Mail Privacy Protection on iPhone - Apple Support

joeinAnaheim wrote:

Well then there does not appear to be a "right answer" since no one has come up with one. I thought this was the place to go to get answers. I guess not because so far no one has been able to tell me why this is happening.

Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data, and make sure the Push toggle is on there with the frequency set to Automatically. Each Account listed there should be set to Fetch and not Manual.

We are just users like you and are not experiencing the problem that you are having. If there was a change in iOS 26, then we would all be experiencing the same thing. If there is no resolution here, then I would recommend to contact Apple directly, since we have no way to perform remote diagnostics on your device to see where the delay is occurring.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

joeinAnaheim wrote:

Well, this thing is still not working as it used to. As an example this morning the last email I received before opening the mail app again was at 7:43 a.m. I opened the app a 11:20 a.m. and had 30 emails that came in between the 2 times.

Whatwould you like to have happen? If you want the Mail app to check for mail more frequently at the expense of battery life, choose a specific fetch frequency. If you choose “Every 15 Minutes”, you’ll get these frequent checks at the expense of battery life.

Which email account are you referring to? Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other (Refer to the pic )below

1. Is this your corporate iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate
2. If it is your personal device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management?
   1. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
   2. Or please contact the system administrator of the organisation who provided the profile to you

Hi, are the emails you’re having issues with all from the same person? The emails you’re having issues with are they being sent to your free iCloud email address or are you using a different email service?

If using a different email service have you contacted that company’s support team? It’s possible that company is having service issues.

When is the last time you restarted your router and/or modem?

my thoughts are that push is not provided because the provider decided not to, rather than simply because they are free.

If ios18 did provide Push but ios26 does not then either the provided needs to update their servers or the OP misremembered.

I suggest the OP creates a free Outlook.com email address and see what that provides. I would expect it to have Push.

Is your iPhone plugged into a wall charger? If not, it’s not meeting the “on power” requirement.

joeinAnaheim wrote:

In reviewing some other search results it appears that my iPhone/iOS 26.2 does not show the ability to "Push" notifications from either my att.net email address, or my gmail address, only "Fetch".

That is correct.

iCloud.com email accounts are pushable 😃

So, here’s what the OP posted several hours ago.

”In reviewing some other search results it appears that my iPhone/iOS 26.2 does not show the ability to "Push" notifications from either my att.net email address, or my gmail address, only "Fetch". “

The OP has free accounts (AT&T and Gmail) and because they are free accounts, their respective servers do not push, but require a fetch.

I’m confused (as usual 😃😃) what the issue is? What are your thoughts?

joeinAnaheim wrote:

So if I take the Fetch setting off "Automatic" and select one of the timed options it will get my mail based on that selection?

Yes. At a minimum frequency.

There is no rolling back of iOS.

Change is difficult to adapt to because it disrupts our comfort zones, introduces uncertainty and fear of the unknown, challenges our sense of identity, and involves letting go of the familiar. However, it's important to recognize that change is an inevitable part of life, and learning to adapt and embrace it is crucial for personal growth and development. With time, patience, and a willingness to explore new possibilities, we can navigate the difficulties of change and find ways to thrive in new circumstances.

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.