Mail Notifications Broken on iOS 18.2?

Adz_Wardie wrote:

I have just found a workaround for the issue where even after the notifications remedies are applied, the badge count is still wrong.

I have gone into each inbox (I am running several accounts), selected the "..." menu (top right corner), and selected "List View" instead of the stupid gmail-style categories. This "removes" the weird categories without having to downgrade, and has resolved my problem of incorrect badges to unread emails.

While i have had to do this for each account, this solution works for me (noting I don't love the categories, so i have basically turned them off)

This was mentioned in the 2nd reply of this thread 🙄

Please don’t tell me you’ve only just thought of trying this!? I always do a hard reset after every update and periodically too. Anytime I have an issue I do it. It’s essentially the equivalent of the old ‘shutdown reboot’ trick on pc’s.

Updated information: it appears that the Mail app will play a notification sound when new email arrives if I select a custom tone. If I switch back to a “stock” (built-in) notification tone, it’s silent.

Clearly this behavior is an odd bug, since (at least for me), notifications partially works as described above.

No guarantees, but see if this works for you…

Consider workaround: If your mail provider allows, on their online mailbox management page, set up rules to forward a copy from VIPs, etc., to your mobile text address.

Turn on iwatch-iwatc app on the phone-notifications-mail-custom-turn on all notifications.Now notifications works on both-watch and phone.

I am experiencing the same issue only with iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. I have iCloud, Outlook, and Exchange configured, with notifications set to Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. "Customize Notifications" is set to "All Unread Messages," and all accounts are configured for Alerts and Badges. I’ve also tried "All Mail" and switching to List View in the Mail app.

The badges and banners display as expected when my phone is unlocked. However, when locked, I either sometimes see mail notices in the Notification Center, not at all, or with a delay of several hours. I’ve verified that Notification Center is enabled on the Lock Screen.

I reported this as a bug. It’s frustrating because, as a system engineer, I depend on timely mail notifications to monitor critical application processes.

I have just found a workaround for the issue where even after the notifications remedies are applied, the badge count is still wrong.

I have gone into each inbox (I am running several accounts), selected the "..." menu (top right corner), and selected "List View" instead of the stupid gmail-style categories. This "removes" the weird categories without having to downgrade, and has resolved my problem of incorrect badges to unread emails.

While i have had to do this for each account, this solution works for me (noting I don't love the categories, so i have basically turned them off)

Not ideal but as tech don't help and haven't admitted there is an issue I have given up and found an alternative. I have downloaded the outlook app so when audible notification from outlook comes in I hit the (apple)mail icon and mail is automatically downloaded.

Same here. Started on 18.2.1, so updated to iOS 18.3, and problem persists. Bought two new iPhone 16 Pros, one as an iCloud restore to setup and the other did a DFU to reset new 18.3 ipsw to it. Tried with different mail providers and VIP alerts when phone is sleeping still do not wake phone. Tested using Office365 mail, Yahoo mail, gmail , - using Apple Mail app.

I was on the phone with apple for a second time in the past two weeks. Today, February 4, 2025 asking them if the issues with notifications and alert sounds not working for several of the apps since the 18.2- 18.2.1 and 18.3 IOS updates are ongoing with customers and when will they be fixing it. I have tried absolutely everything that has been recommended by you the people here on the community board and even went as far as resetting the phone to factory settings after my first call to apple a couple weeks ago. Then with the newest update 18.3 I was hopeful that would resolve. But NO. not resolved, if anything it is worse. The gal, bless her heart for wanting to help, is only trained to make recommendations on how to access settings and to check my settings etc. Well I have owned over 8 apple devices and thus do not need to be retaught on how to set my phone for the way I want to be notified. That is the other issue I have with Apple, how is it that Apple can decide what we consider time sensitive notifications and all the updates in settings with way to many options that you are left asking AI how to use your phone is just weird. That is my vent. Oh and to summarize, the gal on the phone with me today, Feb 4, 2025, spoke with her senior advisor and said, Apple is aware of these ongoing issues but they can not say for certain what update and when a future update will be available to fix these ongoing issues. All she could say was they are being told to say to customers "keep checking for updates" My thought is, well is that not what started this whole problem in the first place?

I have a work Mini 13 and a personal SE3. Both have the same exact symptoms. I only want notifications for VIP emails. Worked up until 18.2 and hasn't been working for months. Phone will buzz or ding, depending if I have it silent or not, but will not display anything on the lock screen for Mail. Banners will work when the phone is unlocked only.

Screenshots of config:

Go to settings-notifications-mail-customize notifications and change under badge count to all unread messages. After this, you should get the notification badge.

out of maybe 10 emails I might get 1 notification but not consistently. Took my phone to cell company they confirmed my issue. Said it’s probably the 18.2.1 update and not the phone. 13 pro

This worked thank you - a very simple fix. It seems my new iPhone defaulted to display primary email only.