If iCloud Mail isn't working

You can use iCloud Mail in the Mail app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or on iCloud.com. If you can't access your email, or you can't send and receive messages with your @icloud.com email address, follow these steps.

• Things to check first

• If you can't send or receive mail on your iPhone or iPad

• If you can't access iCloud Mail at iCloud.com

• If you can't send or receive mail from the Mail app on your Mac

• Get more help

Things to check first

1. Make sure that you're connected to the Internet and check the system status of iCloud Mail. If iCloud Mail is not available, try again later.

2. Check that you turned on iCloud Mail:

   • On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then tap your name. Tap iCloud, then tap Mail under Saved to iCloud or Apps Using iCloud. Check that Mail is turned on.

   • On your Mac, open the Mail app then choose Mail > Settings. Click Accounts, then select your iCloud account in the sidebar. Under Account Information, make sure that the account is enabled and the status is online.

   • On a PC with iCloud for Windows: Learn what to do if you need help with Outlook.

3. Make sure that you haven't exceeded your iCloud storage limit. If you exceed your iCloud storage limit, learn how to make more space available in iCloud.

4. Make sure that you're using the latest version of software on your device.

If you can't send or receive mail on your iPhone or iPad

1. Check the system status of iCloud Mail and your device settings.

2. To see if you can receive mail for your iCloud email on iCloud.com, go to iCloud.com/mail.

3. Make sure that new data is pushed to your device automatically. In iOS 18 or later, tap Settings > Apps > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data, then turn on Push. In iOS 17 or earlier, tap Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data, then turn on Push.

   • Send an email to your account to see if Push is working.

   • In Fetch New Data, tap your iCloud account and turn on Push. You can only use Push with one account at a time.

4. Turn your device off and back on.

5. If you still can't send or receive mail, go to Settings, then tap your name. Tap iCloud, select iCloud Mail and turn off Use on this [Device]. Then, turn off Fetch New Data using the instructions in step 3. Restart your device, then turn these settings back on.

If you can't access iCloud Mail at iCloud.com

1. Check the system status of iCloud Mail and your device settings.

2. Make sure your browser is up to date. If you're using Safari, update Safari to its latest version.

3. Clear your browser's cache.

   • On your Mac, open Safari then choose Safari > Settings. Click the Advanced tab. Select "Show features for web developers", then close Settings. Click the Develop menu, then select "Empty Caches."

   • Learn how to clear your browser's cache on your iPhone or iPad.

   • If you're using a different browser, check its help menu for steps.

4. If you can access iCloud Mail from a different location or Internet connection, contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator. Some Internet configurations intentionally or unintentionally prevent access to certain websites or services, such as iCloud Mail.

If you can't send or receive mail from the Mail app on your Mac

If your message can't be delivered, you're attaching a large file, or the recipient didn't get your message, check the system status of iCloud Mail and your device settings then follow the steps for your issue.

If you receive an alert when you send a message from your @icloud.com email address using Mail on your Mac

If you see an alert that says “This message could not be sent. It will remain in your Outbox until it can be sent.", make sure that iCloud is your Outgoing Mail Account.

1. Open Mail and choose Mail > Settings.

2. Click the Accounts tab.

3. Select your iCloud email account.

4. Click the Server Settings tab. If iCloud isn't listed as the Outgoing Mail Account, select iCloud. If you choose Edit SMTP Server List, you won't see your iCloud account listed as an option.

If you're attaching a large file

Message attachments can't exceed the maximum size allowed by your email service provider or the recipient's email service provider. The maximum size varies by service provider. Try using Mail Drop, compressing the file before sending it, or using AirDrop, if the recipient is nearby.

If your recipient doesn't receive your message

1. If an “unknown address” or “undelivered mail returned” message appears in your Inbox after you send a message, go to your Sent mailbox and make sure that the recipient's email address is correct.

2. If you use macOS Mail or access your iCloud Mail using Safari or another supported web browser, check your Drafts, Sent, and Outbox mailboxes:

   • If you see an unsent copy of the message in Drafts, try to send it again.

   • If you see the message in your Outbox, make sure that you're connected to the Internet and use the steps above to select iCloud as the outgoing mail account.*

3. Ask the recipient to check their Junk mail folders or mailboxes.

4. If your recipient still doesn't receive your message, but your message was sent without any alerts or “undelivered mail” messages, your message might be blocked or filtered by the iCloud Mail servers or the recipient's mail server. You can ask your recipient to contact their email administrator or contact Apple Support for help.

If you can receive messages but can't send them

Your ISP might be blocking the protocol used to send email (SMTP) across their network. Contact your service provider and ask about SMTP traffic that crosses their network to an external service, such as iCloud. If your service provider blocks SMTP traffic, ask them how you can be exempted from SMTP blocking.

If you can't receive mail in the Mail app on your Mac

Learn what to check if you can't receive mail on your Mac

Get more help

If you tried the steps for your issue and you still need help, contact Apple Support.