Cannot Send Email on iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It (12 Proven Methods)

Fix Cannot Send Email on iPhone

1. Refresh Internet and Restart iPhone
2. Verify Recipient’s Email Address
3. Change Default Sending Account
4. Keep Mail App Open for Large Attachments
5. Delete and Re-add Your Email Account
6. Turn Off Mail Privacy Protection
7. Update iPhone Software
8. Reinstall Mail App
9. Reset Network Settings
10. Contact Email Provider
11. Try Third-Party Email Apps
12. Restore Your iPhone

Refresh Internet and Restart iPhone

Quick Overview: Re-establish your internet connection and restart your iPhone to fix possible connectivity issues.

1. Navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Toggle the Wi-Fi switch to the OFF position.
3. Perform a soft reset: Press and hold the Side and Volume Up buttons until the Slide to Power off bar appears. Slide it to turn off.
4. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
5. Go back to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi back ON.
6. Test email functionality by sending a sample email.

Verify Recipient’s Email Address

Quick Overview: A typo in the recipient’s email address can prevent emails from being sent.

1. Open the Mail app.
2. Check the To: field in unsent messages.
3. Correct any typos or errors.

Change Default Sending Account

Quick Overview: Switching your default email account can sometimes solve the issue.

1. Go to Settings > Mail > Default Account.
2. Select a different email account.
3. Try sending an email again.

Keep Mail App Open for Large Attachments

Quick Overview: For emails with large attachments, keep the Mail app open until the email is sent.

1. Compose your email with the large attachment.
2. Keep the Mail app open.
3. Wait for the sent sound as confirmation.

Delete and Re-add Your Email Account

Quick Overview: Removing and re-adding your email account can resolve various issues.

1. Log in to your email provider’s website to ensure the account is working.
2. Go to Settings > Mail, delete the problematic account.
3. Re-add the email account and test functionality.

Turn Off Mail Privacy Protection

Quick Overview: Disabling privacy protection can fix some email sending issues.

1. Go to Settings > Mail > Privacy Protection.
2. Turn off Protect Mail Activity.
3. Try sending an email.

Update iPhone Software

Quick Overview: Updates often include fixes for known issues.

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Install any available updates.
3. Test email functionality.

Reinstall Mail App

Quick Overview: Corrupted app files can be the culprit; reinstalling the Mail app can fix this.

1. Delete the Mail app from your iPhone.
2. Re-download it from the App Store.
3. Reconfigure your email settings and test.

Reset Network Settings

Quick Overview: Network issues can disrupt email; resetting network settings can help.

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Select Reset Network Settings.
3. Test email functionality.

Contact Email Provider

Quick Overview: Sometimes the issue is on the server-side; contact your email provider for assistance.

1. Locate the support contact for your email provider.
2. Describe the issue and ask for help.

Try Third-Party Email Apps

Quick Overview: Alternative email apps like Gmail and Outlook can sometimes bypass issues found in Apple’s Mail app.

1. Download a third-party email app from the App Store.
2. Configure your email settings.
3. Test sending an email.

Restore Your iPhone

Quick Overview: A factory reset can resolve deep system issues affecting the Mail app. Backup your data before proceeding.

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Restore your iPhone and test email functionality.