Do you ever find yourself wanting to delete an email on your iPhone, but instead, it gets archived? Well, you’re not alone. It can be pretty frustrating, right? But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Here’s a quick guide on how to set up your iPhone mail to delete instead of archive. It’s easier than you think!
iPhone Mail Delete Instead of Archive Tutorial
When you’re handling your emails on your iPhone, you might notice that swiping to delete an email doesn’t actually delete it. Instead, it archives the email. If you’re anything like me, you want that email gone for good. Let’s walk through some steps to make sure your emails are deleted, not archived.
Step 1: Open Settings
First things first, open up the Settings app on your iPhone.
In the Settings app, you’ll find a ton of options for personalizing your iPhone experience. It’s where the magic happens for customizing your device. Scroll down a bit, and you’ll find what we’re looking for.
Step 2: Tap on ‘Mail’
Next, tap on the ‘Mail’ option within your Settings.
‘Mail’ is where you’ll find all the settings related to your email accounts and how your iPhone handles emails. It’s a goldmine of options to tailor your email experience on your iPhone.
Step 3: Select ‘Accounts’
Now, go ahead and select ‘Accounts’.
Under ‘Accounts’, you’ll see all the email accounts that you’ve set up on your iPhone. This is where you can manage each account’s specific settings.
Step 4: Choose the email account you want to edit
Choose the email account for which you want to change the delete/archive settings.
Each email account can have different settings, so make sure you’re editing the correct one. If you use multiple email accounts, you’ll have to repeat these steps for each one if you want them all to delete emails instead of archiving them.
Step 5: Tap on ‘Advanced’
Once you’ve selected an account, tap on ‘Advanced’ at the bottom.
The ‘Advanced’ settings are like the secret backdoor to all the cool, less-known features of your iPhone’s email capabilities. This is where you can really fine-tune how your emails are handled.
Step 6: Look for ‘Move Discarded Messages Into’ and select ‘Deleted Mailbox’
Find the section labeled ‘Move Discarded Messages Into’, and select ‘Deleted Mailbox’.
By default, ‘Archived Mailbox’ might be selected. But we’re rebels, and we want those emails deleted, so make sure ‘Deleted Mailbox’ is checked instead.
After you’ve completed these steps, your iPhone will now delete emails when you swipe to discard them, instead of just archiving them. It’s a simple change, but it can make managing your inbox much more straightforward.
Tips for iPhone Mail Delete Instead of Archive
- Make sure your email account supports deleting. Some email services might only allow archiving.
- Repeat the steps for each email account on your iPhone if you want all of them to delete instead of archive.
- Remember that deleting an email is permanent, so double-check before you swipe.
- If you’re not sure whether you want to delete an email, you can always move it to a ‘To Review’ folder instead.
- Regularly empty your ‘Deleted Mailbox’ to free up space on your iPhone and in your email account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I accidentally delete an email?
Don’t panic! Deleted emails usually go to the ‘Trash’ folder and stay there for a certain period before being permanently deleted. You can recover them from there.
Can I undo a deletion?
Yes, right after you delete an email, you’ll see an ‘Undo’ option at the bottom of the screen. Tap it quickly to recover the email.
Will these changes affect how I delete emails on other devices?
No, these changes will only affect how emails are deleted on your iPhone. Other devices will have their own settings.
Is there a way to archive emails instead of deleting them after making these changes?
Sure, you can still archive emails by moving them manually to the ‘Archive’ folder within your email app.
What happens to the emails in the ‘Deleted Mailbox’?
Emails in the ‘Deleted Mailbox’ will stay there until you empty the folder or until your email service automatically purges them after a certain period.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap on ‘Mail’
- Select ‘Accounts’
- Choose the email account you want to edit
- Tap on ‘Advanced’
- Select ‘Deleted Mailbox’ under ‘Move Discarded Messages Into’
Conclusion
Managing emails on your iPhone doesn’t have to be a chore. With a few simple tweaks, you can have your emails delete instead of archive. Just remember, once an email is deleted, it’s usually gone for good. So, use this power wisely! Deleting emails can help you keep a clean and organized inbox, making it easier to focus on the messages that really matter. If you’re unsure, remember that the ‘Trash’ folder is your friend, and you can always recover mistakenly deleted emails from there. Happy emailing, and may your inbox always be clutter-free!