iPhone XR Mail App Not Working After iOS 13 Update? Here’s How to Fix It

If your Mail app stopped sending emails after updating to iOS 13, you’re not alone. Many iPhone XR users have run into similar issues—especially after major system updates that change how apps communicate with mail servers. Whether the Mail app isn’t sending, syncing, or even opening at all, you can usually fix the problem with a few simple steps.

Here’s how to get your Mail app working again on your iPhone XR.

1. Force Close the Mail App

If the Mail app was open during the update, it may have crashed in the background.

Here’s how to restart it:

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
Swipe left or right to find the Mail app.
Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.

Then reopen the Mail app and try sending a test email.

2. Refresh Your Internet Connection

Without a stable internet connection, Mail won’t be able to send or receive emails.

Try these quick fixes:

Toggle Wi-Fi off and back on under Settings > Wi-Fi.
Or go to Settings > Airplane Mode, turn it ON, wait a few seconds, then turn it OFF.
Try loading a webpage in Safari to confirm your connection is active.

Once your connection is restored, open Mail and try again.

3. Disable Restrictions for Mail

After an update, content restrictions might be re-enabled and block certain apps.

To check:

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Allowed Apps and make sure Mail is toggled ON.
Or just disable Content & Privacy Restrictions entirely for now.

Then try opening the Mail app again.

4. Reset Network Settings

If your Mail app isn’t connecting to the mail server, corrupt network settings may be to blame.

To reset:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Tap Reset Network Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

This erases saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings—but often fixes email connection issues.

5. Remove and Re-Add Your Email Account

Corrupted email account settings may cause Mail to stop sending or syncing emails.

Here’s how to reset your account:

Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts.
Tap your email account and select Delete Account.
Restart your iPhone.
Go back to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account and sign in again.

Then open Mail and test the app by sending yourself an email.

6. Factory Reset (Optional, for Persistent Issues)

If nothing else worked, a full system wipe might be your best option to eliminate deep system bugs.

⚠️ Backup your data first via iCloud or iTunes.

To reset:

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

Once your iPhone reboots, set it up as new and test the Mail app before restoring from a backup.

Still Having Trouble with Mail?

If the Mail app still refuses to work, try these additional options:

Switch to another email app temporarily, like Gmail or Outlook, while waiting for a fix from Apple.
Contact Apple Support to report a possible iOS 13 Mail bug.
Use iCloud Webmail in Safari to manage email until the issue is resolved.