Quite some time ago I wrote “How To: Create A Folder in iPhone Mail“. At the time it was very simple … you couldn’t create a new folder/mailbox in iOS Mail. But with the advent of a few iOS releases since, and the amount of traffic that post gets, I thought it time to put together an update to “How To: Create A Folder in iPhone Mail” … because now you can.
More accurately, the new title should be ‘How to create a mailbox in Mail on iOS 5 or greater.
Old question:
Q: How do I create a folder in the iPhone Mail app in iOS 1-4?
A: YOU CAN’T!
New question:
Q: How do I create a folder in the iOS Mail app in iOS 5 & 6?
A: YOU CAN!
And here’s how …
What most people would consider a ‘folder’ Apple calls a ‘mailbox’ … don’t know why. That’s just the way it is. With that said, let’s get started. It’s a fairly easy process.
Start by opening the Mail app on your iOS device.
How To: Create A Folder in iPhone Mail – Revisited
Start by opening the Mail app on your iOS device.
1) Select “Edit”.
2) Select “New Mailbox”.
3) In the “Name” field type your folder’s name. Select “Save”
4) You now have a new folder.If that’s all you wanted to do, select “Done” and that’s it. You’re ready to use the folder you created.
If that’s all you wanted to do, select “Done” and that’s it. You’re ready to use the folder you created.
If you want to create a subfolder within the folder you created, read on.
5) Select “New Mailbox”
6) Type the name of your new folder in the “Name” field. Then select the “Mail Location” button.
7) Select the folder you’d like the new folder in. You will be sent back to the previous screen.
8) Select “Save”.
9) Select “Done”.
10) You now have a folder within a folder.
If you need more just repeat the steps above until you’ve created the folder/mailbox hierarchy you need.
If the mail account you’ve created your folders in is an IMAP mail account, the folders you’ve created on your iPhone or iPad will be saved back to you mail server & show up in your desktop mail application too if it’s also set up as an IMAP account.
If your mail is set up as POP, any folders/mailboxes you’ve created on your iPhone or iPad will only be on the device you’ve created them on. They will not sync back to your computer, or other iOS devices.
If you don’t understand that last little bit; a quick lesson:
If you need more just repeat the steps above until you’ve created the folder/mailbox hierarchy you need.
If the mail account you’ve created your folders in is an IMAP mail account, the folders you’ve created on your iPhone or iPad will be saved back to you mail server & show up in your desktop mail application too if it’s also set up as an IMAP account.
If your mail is set up as POP, any folders/mailboxes you’ve created on your iPhone or iPad will only be on the device you’ve created them on. They will not sync back to your computer, or other iOS devices.
If you don’t understand that last little bit; a quick lesson
POP
POP, Post Office Protocol, also known as POP3, is an E-mail protocol that is used when people wish to have a copy of their E-mail messages, along with any attachments, to be downloaded to their computer for viewing. Depending on program configuration, these messages may be automatically deleted from the server once it is received, or at some future time. Messages sent, moved, or deleted from a computer using POP can only be viewed on that individual computer’s folders. They cannot be viewed on other computers connecting to that E-mail account, including Webmail. This option is most recommended for users who like to keep a backup of all their messages.
IMAP
IMAP, Internet Message Access Protocol, is an E-mail protocol that is used when people wish to always have their messages, including sent messages and message folders, saved on the server. Depending on program configuration, these messages may be temporarily saved on the computer for offline viewing. All messages and folders can be viewed from any computer connecting via IMAP, including Webmail. This option is most recommended for users who connect to E-mail accounts from many computers.
And that’s it. You now know how to create a folder and subfolders on any iOS device under iOS 5 or 6.
