If you recently updated your Apple device, you may have noticed that the Mail app looks and works differently. Apple often introduces new layouts, gestures, and menu buttons with software updates, but not everyone likes these changes. The good news is that you can bring back the old Apple Mail experience with a few quick adjustments. This guide explains how to restore the older look and feel of Apple Mail on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in simple steps.
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Why the Apple Mail App Looks Different
New versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS bring redesigned buttons, updated icons, and new placement of options like reply, archive, and compose. Many users find the new design confusing or slower to use, especially if they were comfortable with the old layout. Instead of uninstalling updates, you can adjust the settings to restore something close to the classic Apple Mail experience.
How to Get the Old Apple Mail Back on iPhone
1. Change the Toolbar Layout
Apple allows you to customize the toolbar inside the Mail app.
- Open the Mail app
- Open any email
- Tap the three dots (More options)
- Select Customize Toolbar
- Rearrange or remove icons to match the old layout
Placing Reply, Delete, and Archive back in familiar positions instantly brings back the older feel.
2. Turn Off Swipe Actions You Do Not Use
Older versions of Mail had simple swipe gestures.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Mail
- Select Swipe Options
- Adjust Swipe Left and Swipe Right to earlier functions like Delete or Mark as Read
This makes navigation feel similar to the older design.
3. Disable Threading
Conversation threading changes how messages appear.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Mail
- Scroll to Threading
- Turn off Organize by Thread
This gives you the older, separate email list view.
How to Get the Old Apple Mail Back on iPad
The iPad interface is slightly different, but the steps are similar.
1. Enable Large Mailboxes View
Many users prefer the classic split-view style.
- Open Mail
- Tap the sidebar icon
- Switch to Column View if available
- Disable multi-column layouts if they feel confusing
2. Customize the Toolbar
Just like the iPhone version:
- Open a message
- Tap three dots
- Select Customize Toolbar
- Rearrange icons to restore the old design feel
3. Change Swipe Gestures
Repeat the same steps as on iPhone through Settings > Mail > Swipe Options.
How to Get the Old Apple Mail Back on Mac
Mail on macOS also changed with recent updates. Here is how to bring back the classic experience.
1. Restore the Old Toolbar
- Open Mail
- Go to View in the top menu
- Select Customize Toolbar
- Drag and drop icons to match the old layout
- Add or remove buttons like Archive, Delete, Reply, or Move
2. Change the Mail Layout View
Older Apple Mail versions used a full vertical list.
- Click View
- Select Use Column Layout to enable the old-style message list
- Disable Organize by Thread if you want separate messages
3. Adjust Preview Pane
- Go to View
- Select Show Preview or Hide Preview
- Adjust the pane size to match the old format
4. Re-enable Classic Mailboxes Sidebar
- Click View
- Select Show Side Bar
This brings back the familiar folders list from older macOS versions.
Can You Fully Restore the Old Apple Mail App?
You cannot install older versions of Mail once the system has been updated, because Apple ties the Mail app to the operating system. However, you can recreate most of the older layout using the settings shown above. Customizing the toolbar, changing the view, and adjusting swipe actions can make the app feel almost identical to older versions.
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Final Thoughts
If you do not like the new Apple Mail design, you are not alone. Many users prefer the older layout that felt simpler and easier to navigate. While you cannot downgrade the app, you can restore much of the old experience with layout and toolbar changes on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With a few settings adjustments, Apple Mail will look and feel much closer to what you were used to.