5 Easy Fixes for iPhone Email Download Issues

If you're experiencing the frustrating "Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server" error on your iPhone, there are a few steps you can take to resolve it. First, try killing the Mail app and restarting your device. If that doesn't work, removing the affected mail account and adding it again should prompt your iPhone to re-download all messages. One thing to keep in mind is that restarting seems to be the key to resolving this issue, since Mail doesn't have a built-in mechanism for attempting to re-download a message.

First, Try Restarting Mail

Swipe up and hold on a modern iPhone with Face ID to reveal the app switcher. For a quicker option, swipe up and flick your thumb in a half-circle motion. Look for the Mail app in the list of apps and swipe up on it to close it, as if you're tossing it away. Afterward, reopen the Mail app and locate the troublesome message.

Try Restarting Your iPhone

Try restarting your iPhone if the previous step doesn't work. Restarting may revive the Mail app and download any unfinished messages. To restart your iPhone, you can simply ask Siri to do it for you. Hold down the side button and say "restart my iPhone," then confirm. Wait for the restart to complete and relaunch the Mail app to see if it's working properly.

Remove and Add the Account Again

If you have an older iPhone model with a Home button or don't use Siri, restarting your device might be the solution to fix any issues you may be experiencing. Follow these steps to restart any model of iPhone:

Deleting an email account from your iPhone will completely remove it from your device, including any saved drafts that haven't been synced to the server. However, your inbox should remain intact as long as your messages are still stored on the server. To add a new email account, head back to Settings and tap on Accounts again. Select "Add Account" and follow the prompts to set up your new account. Once it's added, make sure to enable the Mail feature and wait for your messages to download, which may take some time.

Alternatively, Use a Dedicated App or Web Browser

Using your email provider’s dedicated app is another option you might want to try. Though apps like Gmail and Outlook lack the privacy protections you’ll find in Apple Mail, they work flawlessly with their respective services.

Apple Mail is Still a Worthy Client

While it's true that most webmail services can be accessed through a web browser, it's worth noting that even popular ones like Gmail, Outlook, and iCloud Mail can still be affected by occasional glitches and bugs.

Despite the inconvenience this may cause, we've found that restarting the service or using an alternative method of access, such as a web browser or dedicated app, can quickly resolve the issue. So, if you happen to encounter any problems with Apple Mail, don't worry - a quick fix is usually just a few clicks away.

There are some good reasons to keep using Mail, like the tracking pixel-blocking feature, the ability to schedule mail as of iOS 16, and native integration with Apple’s Hide My Email service for iCloud+ subscribers.