You can change Apple Mail swipe actions on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > Mail > Swipe Options and selecting from a limited list of four pre-set options. This simple process allows you to customize essential actions like deleting, archiving, or flagging messages directly from your inbox.
While customizing swipes offers a small productivity boost, it exposes the limitations of a legacy email client. Modern email management requires features like built-in AI email Copilot for Mac and iOS, cross-platform functionality, and—most importantly—absolute security.
For professionals managing multiple accounts, Apple Mail simply lacks the features found in a security-focused client like Canary Mail.
What Are Apple Mail Swipe Options?
Swipe actions are keyboard shortcuts for your mobile inbox, allowing quick message triage without opening the email.
Swipe actions in Apple Mail are essentially shortcuts that enable you to perform various tasks without opening the email. By default, Mac Mail provides a set of swipe actions such as delete, archive, and flag when you swipe left or right on an email.
Swipe actions in Apple Mail are only available on the Mail app on your iPhone or iPad. On a MacBook, you typically use the trackpad or mouse for similar actions. On a MacBook, you typically triage messages using the trackpad, mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or the right-click menu. You can right-click to access options like marking as read, flagging, moving to junk, moving to folder, archiving, or deleting an email.
A List of Swipe Actions in Apple Mail
In Apple Mail, you can swipe right or left on an email to perform actions like:
- Mark as read/unread
- Remind
- Flag
- Archive
- Move
- Delete
Once you click on More, you can perform even more quick actions, such as:
- Reply
- Reply all
- Forward
- Notify me
- Block sender
Feature Comparison: Apple Mail vs. Canary Mail
This table shows where Apple Mail falls short compared to the advanced capabilities of the Canary Mail Mac app and iOS app:
Why Customize Apple Mail Swipe Actions?
Customizing swipe actions is the easiest way to tailor the app to your unique workflow and significantly reduce daily email management time.
If you’re happy with Apple Mail’s default swipe options, you can leave them as is. Many users consider it easier to use the default swipe options without changing them. If you’re already used to Apple's ecosystem, you may prefer to stay with the default settings.
Even though the default settings are useful, they might not be suitable for everyone. Users seeking more advanced customization options often explore Apple Mail alternatives that offer greater flexibility. Luckily, Apple Mail allows you to customize them to suit your needs better.
Here’s why adjusting Apple Mail swipe actions may be convenient for you:
- It can help you streamline your workflows: The main reason for adjusting the swipe actions in Apple Mail is to tailor them to your specific workflows and inbox habits. Customizing these actions can help you perform frequent tasks more efficiently, saving you valuable time in the long run.
- It can help you increase your productivity: By assigning swipe actions that are most relevant to your workflows, you can reduce the time spent on manual email management tasks. By streamlining these repetitive actions, you can drastically reduce your time spent on email, freeing up time to focus on truly important tasks. For those serious about efficiency, exploring modern methods of email management with AI email Copilot for Mac and iOS is the next logical step.
- You’ll have a better user experience: There’s nothing more frustrating than poor user experience and bad navigation. Tailoring the actions to your specific needs and preferences will provide you with a better user experience and faster navigation.
How to Customize Apple Mail Swipe Actions on iOS
You can only change your iOS app swipe actions in the Mail settings, selecting from a limited list of four pre-set options.
Wondering how you can change Apple Mail’s swipe options? It’s actually pretty simple and can be done in just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Select the Mail app.
Step 3: Scroll down to Swipe Options.
Step 4: Adjust the swipe options to match your preferences.
Once you’re in the Swipe Options screen, you’ll be able to adjust the Swipe Left option and the Swipe Right options. However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to change them to anything you want. You can only choose from the available options, which are Mark as Read, Move Message, Archive, or Flag.
And voilá! In just 4 simple steps, you can adjust Apple Mail’s swipe options. After setting your preferred actions, it's a good idea to test them out. For additional reference, you can consult the official Apple Support documentation on Mail settings.
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Common Issues & Fixes for Apple Mail Swipe Actions
If your swipe actions are inconsistent, check your account settings, as different email types (like Gmail) default to "Archive" instead of "Delete."
Customizing swipe actions in Apple Mail can help you streamline your email processes and workflows. However, occasionally, you may encounter issues where these swipe options aren’t working properly.
Here are some common reasons why your swipe actions might not be behaving as expected.
Can you change Apple Mail swipe actions on Mac?
No, swipe actions (gestures that reveal triage options) are exclusive to the iOS and iPadOS Mail apps. On a Mac, you must typically use keyboard shortcuts, the right-click menu, or click toolbar buttons for message triage.
Outdated Software
Outdated software can often trigger issues within Apple Mail. While updates are designed to fix bugs and enhance the overall performance of your iPhone or iPad, they can occasionally introduce bugs and glitches that can disrupt the functionality of your apps.
If you think this is causing an issue with Apple Mail’s swipe actions, ensure your Apple Mail and iOS are always updated to the latest versions.
Mail App Settings
If your Mail app settings aren’t configured properly, you may experience issues with Apple Mail on your iPhone or iPad. Check your Mail settings to make sure that swipe actions are enabled and configured correctly. To do that, go to the settings on your iPhone and verify that swipe actions are activated and assigned in the right direction.
Conflicting Third-Party Apps
Some apps, especially those that manage notifications or have email access, can interfere with Apple Mail. When compatibility becomes an issue, reviewing the best email clients for Mac can help identify more reliable alternatives. For instance, antivirus software or email management tools might conflict with your settings. Consider disabling these temporarily to see if they are the cause of the issue.
Additionally, apps that use system-wide gestures or shortcuts can inadvertently override or interfere with Apple Mail’s swipe actions. Review the settings of such apps and disable any conflicting gestures or actions that could be affecting the functionality of swipe actions in Apple Mail.
App Glitches And Bugs
Sometimes, temporary glitches or bugs within the Mail app itself can disrupt the functionality of the swipe actions. If you notice that your Mail app isn’t working correctly (for example, it’s irresponsive or freezes a lot), try force quitting it and restarting your phone. If this doesn’t help, try reinstalling the Mail app.
Tips and Tricks to Effectively Customize Apple Mail Swipe Options
Although using and customizing the Apple Mail’s swipe options is a straightforward process, there are some things you should keep in mind. Here are some practical tips and tricks to effectively customize your swipe actions.
Prioritize Key Actions
When changing the default swipe actions in the Mail app, identify the most frequently used actions in your email workflow. These are the actions you should prioritize when customizing swipe options. For instance, if you often archive and flag emails, you’ll want to have these options available at a quick swipe in either direction.
Keep Them Consistent With Other Apps
If you're using other email clients, you may want to keep your workflows consistent. A detailed Canary Mail vs Apple Mail comparison can help determine which client better suits your workflow needs. This includes adjusting Apple Mail’s swipe actions to match those in your other email apps. This will help you avoid confusion and keep things consistent.
If you use Apple Mail on multiple devices, such as your iPhone and iPad, you’ll also want to make sure that you adjust the swipe actions the same way on both of those devices.
Test Your New Swipe Actions - Adjust
Sometimes, you may need to experiment with different swipe actions to find the optimal configuration that best suits your preferences and workflows. If you find that certain actions aren’t as practical as you thought they would be, adjust them to better match your needs.
Boost Team Productivity
If you manage support, sales, or any group email address (info@, support@), basic swipe actions are useless. Canary Mail's Shared Inbox feature is designed for team collaboration.
Final Verdict
For true productivity and security, switch to an iOS app and Mac app that offers a Unified Inbox, AI Copilot assistance, and end-to-end encryption.
Apple Mail is great for users who value simplicity and the native Apple experience. Its strength is being free and pre-installed. However, its swipe actions are limited, its security defaults (like S/MIME for E2EE) are complex, and it completely lacks modern features like a powerful AI Copilot and the ability to manage a team via a Unified Inbox.
If you are a professional and need an efficient, secure, and cross-platform solution, the best next step is to upgrade. We recommend checking out our detailed Apple Mail vs. Canary Mail comparison for a deeper look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apple Mail and Canary Mail compare for security?
Canary Mail is the only major client that offers simple, default PGP encryption built-in, making End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) effortless for private communication. Apple Mail offers basic server-side security but requires complex manual setup (S/MIME) for true E2EE.
Can I use AI Copilot features in Apple Mail?
Apple Mail has introduced basic AI features like writing suggestions via Apple Intelligence, but it lacks the deep AI Copilot functionalities offered by modern clients like Canary Mail. These advanced features include full email summarization, complex drafting, and intelligent triage that works across all your devices.
Is the swipe action feature available on the Mac app for Apple Mail?
No, swipe actions (gestures that reveal options like Archive or Delete) are only available on the iOS app and iPadOS versions of Apple Mail. On the Mac app, you must typically right-click, use keyboard shortcuts, or click toolbar buttons for message triage.
What is a Unified Inbox and why does it boost productivity?
A Unified Inbox combines all your email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) into a single, cohesive view, eliminating the need to switch between inboxes. This feature, available in modern clients like Canary Mail, greatly simplifies multi-account triage and is essential for professionals managing high email volumes.
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