How to Fix iPhone Won't Download Emails: Top 9 Solutions

Using the Mail app on an iPhone to send and receive emails should be a simple task, but many users frequently encounter the issue of emails not downloading on iPhone. This includes problems such as emails being stuck on "Getting messages", new emails failing to sync, or emails and attachments not loading at all.

To help you quickly identify and resolve the issue, this article will first analyze the common reasons why an iPhone won't download emails, and then provide 9 solutions ranging from basic to advanced to help you restore normal email downloading.

Part 1. Why Won't My Emails Download on My iPhone?

Before jumping into fixes, it's important to first understand the root cause of the problem. If the iPhone emails won't download from the server, it's usually not caused by a single issue. Common causes include:

• Unstable or misconfigured network connection.
• Expired email account information (username or password).
• Temporary glitch in the Mail app or system processes.
• Insufficient iPhone storage space.
• iOS system bugs or an outdated software version.
• Restrictions from the email server or company email policies.

Identifying the cause will help you choose the most appropriate solution. Let's go through the troubleshooting steps one by one.

Part 2. How to Fix Emails Not Downloading on iPhone?

After we know why iPhone 16/17 won't download emails, we'll walk through common and effective solutions step by step, arranged from the easiest to the more advanced.

Fix 1. Check Network Connection

Email download depends on a stable network environment. If the network signal is weak, configurations are incorrect, or there is interference from a VPN, it may prevent the iPhone from retrieving new emails from the mail server. Therefore, network troubleshooting should always be the first step.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Confirm that the current Wi-Fi or cellular data connection is working properly.

Step 2. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if the email loads.

Step 3. If the issue persists, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > Tap "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".

Step 4. After reconnecting to the network, reopen the Mail app.

Fix 2. Force Quit and Reopen the Mail App

When the Mail app runs for a long time or has abnormal background processes, it may fail to refresh or download emails. Force-closing the app can help reload the service processes.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open the multitasking interface (swipe up on full-screen models or double-click the "Home" button).

Step 2. Find the Mail app and swipe up to fully close it.

Step 3. Reopen the Mail app and manually pull down to refresh the email list.

Fix 3. Check Your Email Account and Password

If the email password has been changed on the web or another device, but the iPhone is still using the old password, authentication will fail, and emails cannot be downloaded.

To check your email account and password, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Mail" > "Accounts".

Step 2. Select the email account with the issue.

Step 3. Tap "Account" and re-enter the correct password.

Step 4. After saving the settings, return to the Mail app and test the synchronization.

Fix 4. Delete and Re-add Your Email Account

Sometimes, the problem that iPhone fails to download emails is caused by false Mail settings. If so, you can try to remove your Mail account from your device and then set it up properly again. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Mail" > "Accounts".

Step 2. Select the corresponding email account.

Step 3. Tap "Delete Account" and confirm.

Step 4. Return to the account page and tap "Add Account".

Step 5. Log in to the email account again and complete the setup.

Fix 5. Force Restart Your iPhone

You can also try to hard reboot the iPhone or iPad to resolve the iPhone won't download emails. Follow the steps below to force restart the iPhone:

For iPhone 8 and later:

• Press and quickly release the "Volume Up" button.
• Press and quickly release the "Volume Down" button.
• Then, press and hold the "Side" button until you see the Apple logo, then release the button.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold both the "Volume Down" button and the "Side" button until you see the Apple logo, then release both buttons.

For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the "Home" button and the "Top" (or Side) button until you see the Apple logo, then release both buttons.

Fix 6. Check iPhone Storage Space

When iPhone storage is insufficient, the system automatically limits background tasks, including email synchronization and attachment downloads.

Here is how to free up iPhone space:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage" to check the available space. (iPhone storage not loading?)

Step 2. If it is not enough, delete unused apps, photos, or videos to free up space.

Step 3. Reopen the Mail app and try downloading emails again.

Fix 7. Update iOS System

Sometimes, an iPhone won't download emails, which may be due to a bug in iOS. Apple typically addresses these issues through software updates.

Here is how to update iOS to fix emails not downloading on iPhone:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" on your device. (iPhone won't update?)

Step 2. If there is an available update, it will remind you with a notification here. Just tap it to download and install the latest iOS version here.

Fix 8. Use iOS System Recovery

If all standard fixes fail, the issue may be related to a deeper iOS system error, such as corrupted system files or a failed update. In this case, professional iPhone repair tools are the safest option. iOS System Recovery can fix iOS system issues, including email synchronization problems, system freezes, and app crashes, without losing any data.

Key features of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix iPhone won't download emails without losing data.
• Support a broad range of iOS system issues, including iPhone stuck in recovery mode, on the Apple logo, in boot loops, stuck in headphone mode, stuck on the "Hello" screen, restore errors, and more.
• Easily and safely upgrade or downgrade iOS versions with no hassle.
• Guaranteed 100% success with zero data loss.
• Fully compatible with the latest iPhone 17 and iOS 18/26.

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Here is how to fix emails not downloading on iPhone using iOS System Recovery:

Fix 9. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

You can also restore your iPhone to factory settings, which could be helpful to fix the iPhone won't download emails, but it will also completely delete all data and settings from your device. So please remember to back up your iOS data beforehand in case of data loss.

To factory reset an iPhone or iPad, please follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Erase All Content and Settings", and tap the "Erase iPhone" option to confirm.

Step 2. Then your iPhone will be restarted, and you can now check if your Mail error has been fixed or not.

Words in the End

So, don't panic when an iPhone won't download emails. Carefully read the 9 solutions described in this article, and you can easily fix emails not downloading on your iPhone. Get started now.

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