For an iCloud and/or Windstream email account, how can I delete emails across multiple devices, without having to go to each device?

IMAP is the mail protocol that allows you to delete a message one place and have it delete everywhere else. iCloud uses IMAP, so it should be working. If the messages never delete, then something may be incorrect in the settings. The easiest thing to do with iCloud is to logout of the account on every device, and then login again. (Another common problem with iCloud email is people often have two Apple IDs, and thus may have two iCloud email accounts. If you get confused about which one you're using, you may think you've deleted email when you actually haven't.)

If the iCloud messages do ultimately delete across all devices, then it could be that some devices aren't set to "Push" but are instead set to "Fetch" the newest info from the server. Fetch can be set to as long as an hour between check-ins.

The same holds true for Windstream if she's using an IMAP account there, too. If it's a POP account, then deleting a message one place will never delete it anywhere else—that's the way POP works.

iCloud accounts are push, there is no choice. There is no 'fetch' button. Push is the default and only state.

Windstream email accounts are POP3, so they will never sync.

Email

E-mail Address Format:

• USERNAME@windstream.net

Incoming mail server (POP3):

• pop.windstream.net

Outgoing mail server (SMTP):

• smtp.windstream.net

To clarify: it doesn't matter if it's push or fetch. Both settings will allow synchronization for IMAP accounts. The main difference is how they do the synchronization and how often. If Fetch is set for a long interval, a message may take a long time before it is deleted. So, are they truly not being deleted?

Regardless, logging out and back in is simple enough to try.

preludio wrote:

To clarify: it doesn't matter if it's push or fetch. Both settings will allow synchronization for IMAP accounts. The main difference is how they do the synchronization and how often.

Once again.

iCloud accounts do NOT have the 'Fetch' function, and WindStream accounts are NOT IMAP.

I was just trying to clarify my original response. I wasn't arguing with yours.

Other people may come across this discussion, wondering about types of mail providers that are not iCloud and Windstream. If it's an IMAP account, it will synchronize whether the setting is push or fetch. An IMAP mail server may allow either or both settings, but the outcome for synchronization is the same.