With 18.2 introduction of category inboxes in apple mail, even when selecting list view (top three dots in mail app) to return it to the old format, you still have the annoying new icons representing the categories in front of each email. I'm selecting 'list view' because I don't want to use 'categories' at all. Can the icons be removed from list view so that I can just see a normal/clean email inbox?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18
The first problem with the category icons is the very limited number of categories and therefore a very crude allocation which serves no purpose. If it distinguished between an unwanted promotion and confirmation of a delivery timetable for example that would be helpful. And showing photographs where there is an actual image and or where the sender is in your contacts would also be helpful. This would make for a slightly irregular layout with some messages having an icon and some not but that would help you sift the important one.
This looks like the most basic application of AI and whoever allowed this to be released in this ultra simplistic and meaningless format Should be told off (not wishing to resort to hyperbole in public discussion)
Ok I found a way around it. My iPhone was set to German language then you will not see the above explained option. You have to set your phone to English toggle off “show contact photos” and then back to German and those icons will disappear.
MrIVXX wrote:
Thank you for this solution.
Apple PLEASE stop introducing “features” I do not want. If anything, let people “opt in” to them instead of enabling them by default and forcing all users to scramble to disable. Please.
The problem with that is if Apple didn’t default new features to ON only the 1% of users who read the release notes would know they were there. At least you CAN turn them on or off, unlike Gmail where thy are always on.
I’m NOT a fan of the new category icons. I did like having my contacts photos/avatars in my correspondence; it’s a shame Apple had to go and mess this all up. Maybe they will fix it in the next update? Doubt it, but we can hope.
2tattered wrote:
Thank you so much! I hated those stupid icons.
Oh, the Irony! Users have complained for years that Apple dictates how everything should work, and doesn’t give users the option of customization. So with iOS 18 Apple added customization options to a bunch of apps, and now people complain that options are bad. You just can’t win.
Why do these companies insist on putting “features” that nobody asked for into apps?
Desperate to keep relevance and change for the sake of change.
Companies need to realize apps are just tools. The apps become irritating and non functional if the interface and controls keep changing.
Microsoft also likes added features we didn’t ask like forcing Copilot onto Outlook and there is no way to get rid of it.
MrIVXX wrote:
Apple PLEASE stop introducing “features” I do not want. If anything, let people “opt in” to them instead of enabling them by default and forcing all users to scramble to disable. Please.
Has it occurred to you that they may be features that other people want or like? That your needs are not the only ones that Apple considers?
Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions. If you want them to know your thoughts, you can use the feedback page:
Galebrook wrote:
I would like to revert to the simple categories of inbox, composing, junk, trash, archive for my email. I have my own system of categories. How can I get rid of all these other categories?
As posted dozens of times in this thread:
To turn off Categories:
These 2 steps will return the Mail app to the way it previously worked.
This has already been posted dozens of times in this thread, but to save you the trouble of looking for it:
To remove the icons in the list view:
To turn off Categories:
These 2 steps will return the Mail app to the way it previously worked.
Indeed. And no off button is simply bad UI and UX…most of iOS update sucks and takes so long to reload and reminded it’s just painfully bloated crap with zingy icons from TikTok. Meh.
Hate category inboxes on Apple Mail! How to get rid of it permanently or do I have find another mail service?
I hate the new color icons before my emails. How can I get rid of them without loosing the photo I have in my contacts?
How to remove Category icons in iOS 18.2 Mail?
