How to Change the Default Mail App in iOS 14

While the default Apple Mail app for email is fine, many users prefer to use a different mail app on their iPhones. In iOS 14, you can set your preferred email app as the default!

By Olena Kagui Wed, 10/28/2020

The default mail app in the iPhone and iPad has always been Apple Mail. While it is a great email app, users who prefer Outlook, Gmail or something else have been at a disadvantage. The new iOS 14 update, however, allows users to pick the default mail app of their choice. Changing your mail app will make it auto-open when you click on an email link while browsing the internet. This can make managing your personal and work email accounts easier, allowing you to easily navigate incoming and outgoing email.

Related: How to Change Your Default Gmail Account

How to Set a New Default Email Program in iOS 14

This is a pretty simple process, but it can make your life so much easier. If you have a Mac, you can change default apps (including your default Mac web browser) on it as well!

Here's how to change the default email app on your iPhone and iPad in iOS 14:

  1. Download the email app of your choice in the Apple App Store, if you haven't already.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Scroll down to your mail app of choice and tap on it. The app I've chosen is Gmail.

    Open the Settings app to change your default mail appScroll down and tap on the email app of your choice
     
  4. Tap on Default Mail App.

    Tap on Default Mail App to change it
     
  5. Select your preferred email app from the list by tapping on it.
  6. Once you've selected the app you'll see a blue check mark next to it.

    Tap on the mail app you'd like to change to the default on your iPhoneOnce the new default email app is selected it will have a blue check mark next to it

Now that you've set the new default, you can exit your Settings app. Next time you click on an email link or want to send something via email, this new default app will the be email app that is suggested to you on your iPhone.

Pros

  • Personalize your iPhone by using your preferred mail app
  • Access features that are unique to the mail app of your choice

Cons

  • Not all mail apps to work with iOS 14 yet
  • Only mail clients that meet Apple’s privacy criteria can be set as a default mail app

Personally, I much prefer to use my email app of choice, especially since it can house both my business and personal emails and I like the format of the app better. For those like me who are creatures of habit and would rather stick with what they know, changing their default mail app can bring considerable ease and comfort.

Top image credit: RAY-BON / Shutterstock.com

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Topics

How-To
Apps
Apple Apps
Mail
Email
Settings

Author Details

Olena Kagui's picture

Author Details

Olena Kagui

Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life who lives in Hawaii. With a BA in International Relations from Anglo American University, Olena traveled the world. She has lived in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, China, and the USA. Olena won an excellence award for a controversial article, got a grant to blog from a war-zone, and published a short fictional story. She hopes to publish a full-length novel and continue writing up a storm on her blog The Travel Bug Bite! When she’s not typing or flying, she is loving on animals, crafting bizarre creations, and devouring all-you-can-eat sushi.