GoKawiilApple's Mail app now auto-sorts email into four categories on iPhone
Apple's iOS 18.2 update introduced a Categories feature in the Mail app that automatically sorts incoming messages into Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions tabs. The feature is enabled by default, but users can turn it off to restore the app's previous single-inbox layout, and can manually reassign emails that land in the wrong category.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The change mirrors sorting systems long used by Gmail, suggesting Apple is catching up to a feature users of other email services already expect. Because the sorting is automatic and imperfect, some important messages could get buried in a secondary tab unless users manually correct misclassified emails.
- Mail Categories, added in iOS 18.2, sort email into Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions.
- The feature is on by default but can be switched off to restore the classic inbox view.
- Users can manually recategorize individual emails when Apple's sorting misclassifies them.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro — If you're diving into iOS 18.2's new Mail Categories feature, you'll want a device that runs it smoothly, and the iPhone 17 Pro delivers a fast, fluid experience for managing Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions tabs. Its large, crisp display makes scrolling through sorted emails and spotting package updates effortless.
See Apple iPhone 17 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Zachary Mcauliffe, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “Everything You Should Know About Mail Categories on Your iPhone”
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