Apple’s new iOS 18.5 Mail app feature is making waves—and not because it’s flashy, but because it quietly brings back something extremely useful: the “All Mail” view, now visible by default in your inbox.
While early beta versions suggested a minor update, this particular change might make iOS 18.5 more appealing than expected.
📬 “All Mail” Tab Comes Out of Hiding
In previous versions like iOS 18.4, the native Mail app featured four inbox categories:
- Primary (Blue)
- Transactions (Green)
- Updates (Purple)
- Promotions (Orange)
But if you swiped left past all of them, a hidden All Mail tab appeared, giving you a unified view of your messages—regardless of category.
Now in iOS 18.5 developer beta 2 and public beta 1, that tab is no longer hidden. It’s clearly displayed next to the Promotions tab, making it far easier to access.
Image credit: PhoneArena – All Mail tab now clearly visible in iOS 18.5.
🔧 Quick Access to Contact Photos Toggle
Another improvement in the iOS 18.5 Mail app feature is the ability to disable Contact Photos directly from within the Mail app.
Previously, users had to go to Settings > Mail > Contact Photos to make changes. This update brings the toggle closer, improving convenience and speed for those who prefer a cleaner interface.
🎵 Bonus: Don’t Forget the Swoosh Sound
While you’re checking out Mail updates, don’t miss the nostalgic “Swoosh” sound when sending mail.
To enable it:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
- Scroll to Sent Mail
- Choose Swoosh
Once activated, you’ll hear that satisfying sound every time you hit send.
🔄 Why These iOS 18.5 Mail App Features Matter
- Simplified navigation through your inbox
- Unified email access across all categories
- Faster customization of Contact Photos
- A smoother, more personalized user experience
For users who rely heavily on Mail for both personal and professional communication, these small tweaks go a long way in improving efficiency.
📱 Final Thoughts
Though iOS 18.5 may appear like a minor update on paper, the newly visible All Mail view and faster access to Contact Photo settings make the iOS 18.5 Mail app feature one worth updating for.
Don’t forget—you can re-download the native Mail app from the App Store if you previously deleted it. Just make sure to check out the changes and give that Swoosh one more go.
