iPhone Mail Not Getting New Emails? Fix Fetch, Push, and Account Settings

The Mail app on your iPhone isn’t pulling in new messages, or new email only shows up when you open the app and pull down to refresh.

Why: iOS decides how often Mail checks your server using a setting called Fetch New Data. If your account is set to Manually (or a long Fetch interval), Mail won’t grab new mail in the background. Other common causes are a stale saved password and an account that has quietly stopped syncing. Work through these fastest-first.

Fix 1: Set how often Mail checks for new email (Push vs Fetch)

This is the setting that controls background email and fixes most “not updating” complaints.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Fetch New Data. (On older iOS the path is Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.)
2. Turn on Push at the top if your provider supports it — Push delivers email the moment it arrives. If Push isn’t offered for an account, iOS uses Fetch instead.
3. At the bottom, choose a Fetch schedule — Automatically, or a set interval like every 15 minutes — rather than Manually.
4. Tap an individual account in the list to set its schedule (for example, force Fetch on an account that doesn’t push).

Note: with Automatically (the default on iOS 11 and later), the device fetches in the background only when it’s charging and on Wi-Fi, so you may not see mail arrive while you’re out. Pick a timed Fetch interval if you want it more often.

Fix 2: Check your connection, then restart

1. Confirm you’re online: Settings > Wi-Fi or Settings > Cellular. A captive Wi-Fi network (hotel, café) that needs a login can block Mail silently.
2. Make sure Mail is allowed to use cellular data: Settings > Apps > Mail and check Cellular Data is on.
3. Restart the iPhone (power off, wait a few seconds, power on) and reopen Mail.

Fix 3: Re-enter your account password

If your email password recently changed, the saved one in Mail is now wrong and silently stops syncing — sometimes with a “Cannot Get Mail” or password prompt.

1. Sign in to your email provider’s website in a browser to confirm the password actually works.
2. On the iPhone, open Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts, tap the affected account, and re-enter the correct password.
3. If your provider uses two-factor authentication, you may need an app-specific password instead of your normal one — check your provider’s help pages.

Fix 4: Remove the account and add it back

If mail still won’t update, the cleanest fix is to delete the account and re-add it.

1. First, make sure your messages are safe on the server by signing in to your provider’s website on a computer.
2. Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts, tap the account, then tap Delete Account.
3. Add it again: Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Add Account, choose your provider, and sign in.

If it still won’t receive after re-adding, contact your email provider — the problem may be on their side.

FAQ

What’s the difference between Push and Fetch? Push means the server sends new mail to your phone the instant it arrives. Fetch means your phone checks the server on a schedule. Push is faster but isn’t available for every provider.

Why does mail only arrive when I open the app? Your account is likely set to Manually. Change it to Push or a timed Fetch under Fetch New Data.

Will deleting the account erase my emails? No — for IMAP and iCloud accounts your mail lives on the server, so re-adding the account brings it all back. (POP accounts can store mail only on one device, so back up first.)

Sources: Apple Support — If you can’t receive email on your iPhone or iPad