Learn how to create and use folders and subfolders in the Apple Mail app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to keep your emails better organized.
Apple’s Mail app offers some useful features for keep your inbox organized. You can use Smart Mailboxes to automatically filter messages or use flags to call out certain emails.But if you need another way to manage your inbox, consider using subfolders..
Although Apple officially refers to them as Mailboxes rather than folders or subfolders, many people find it simpler to use the familiar terms.
Create folders in the Mail app on iPhone and iPad
1) Open the Mail app on your iPhone or iPad and go to the Mailbox list screen, and tap Edit at the top.
2) Select New Mailbox.
3) Name your subfolder and pick its parent location. You can set that subfolder as a main folder for that account (like iCloud) or within another folder or subfolder. After that, tap Save.
4) If you’re finished, tap Done. Or follow the same steps above to create additional folders.
To move emails into a folder, tap the reply curved arrow at the bottom, select Move Message, and pick your mail folder.
Create Mail subfolders on Mac
1) Launch the Mail app on your Mac and open the Mailboxes sidebar on the left if you have it hidden. This makes it easier to create your subfolder, or sub-Mailbox if you will. You can do this by clicking View > Show Sidebar or Show Mailbox List from the top menu bar.
2) Select the Mail account in the sidebar where you want the subfolder. Then, either Control-click/right-click or click Mailbox from the top menu bar. Then pick New Mailbox.
3) In the pop-up window that appears, give your subfolder a name, choose its parent location, and click OK. This is the important part of creating your subfolder because you can have it under the account name or inside another folder (Mailbox).
You can keep adding new folders using these steps. If you select an existing folder (Mailbox) for a subfolder, that location will shift into place, allowing you to name it and choose its parent folder.
There are a few easy ways to move your emails to your subfolders:
- Drag the email into the subfolder in the Mailbox List sidebar.
- Right-click and pick Move To.
- Click Message > Move To from the top menu bar.
- Use the Move button in the Mail toolbar.
Using subfolders (additional Mailboxes) in the Mail app can help keep your emails organized. It follows the same hierarchy structure you’re used to on your computer—but it only works if you use it. Will you be setting up subfolders in Mail? How well do you keep your inbox organized?
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