With the update to iOS 18.2, Apple’s Mail app introduces a new categorization feature designed to help users manage their emails more efficiently. This feature categorizes incoming emails into four main groups: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.
The aim is to streamline the inbox by automatically sorting emails based on their content and source. The concept of categorization has been under development for several years, initially intended for iOS 13.
Apple delayed its release to enhance the machine learning capabilities necessary for on-device processing. Users can expect that the Primary category will usually contain emails from contacts, important notifications, and personal messages, which generally see a good success rate in accurately sorting.
In terms of functionality, the Mail app continues to display the first few lines of an email. Time-sensitive emails are prioritized at the top, and short summaries are provided for some emails within the Primary category.
Users still have the option to swipe left for actions like deleting or flagging, and swipe right to set reminders or mark emails as unread. The other categories—Transactions, Updates, and Promotions—may require some user engagement to refine how they are grouped.
For instance, transactions consist of emails related to purchases or subscriptions, while updates include messages from companies or social networks. Users can also move emails between categories, allowing the app to learn their preferences over time.
If a user prefers not to use the categorization feature, it’s easy to turn off. By tapping the three-dot menu in the upper right of the Mail app, you can switch from Categories to List View, returning to a conventional email display.
Additionally, options for fine-tuning the Apple Intelligence settings can be accessed through the Mail app settings in the iPhone’s overall settings menu. This gives users the flexibility to enhance or simplify their email experience.
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