How to: Fix Apple Mail IMAP Not Working in iOS 18

Some Apple customers are reporting that the Mail app in iOS 18 has broken IMAP functionality, leading to problems with syncing emails.

The issue appears to affect users with certain IMAP configurations, preventing them from receiving messages in their inboxes, which is infuriating after seeing this happen after updating to iOS 18.

One possible workaround that resolved the problem for an iPhone in Canada reader is by modifying the IMAP Path Prefix field. The suggested solution involves adding a forward slash (/) in the Path Prefix field under the Mail app’s account settings.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > [Your IMAP Account] > Account Settings > Advanced.
2. Locate the IMAP Path Prefix in the Incoming Settings section.
3. If the field has a greyed-out /, retype the forward slash (/) so it turns white.
4. Back out of the menu and press Done.
5. Close the Settings and Mail apps, then reopen Mail to see if the issue is resolved.

If you’re deleting your account in Mail to then re-add it–reboot your iPhone before you try the process to fix the IMAP issue.

Some users have also suggested using “INBOX” as the Path Prefix, but this can prevent other folders from syncing if they are in the root of the IMAP server.

While this workaround has been successful for some, it may not resolve the issue for all users. Apple is likely aware of this IMAP problem with Mail and will fix it in an update. Some iOS 18.1 beta testers say this issue has been fixed already.

We’ve also seen some Rogers customers get broken Yahoo! mail after updating to iOS 18, but as of yesterday some said the issue has been resolved.

Let us know if this fix works for your Mail app that’s experiecing IMAP issues in iOS 18. Also, share your Mail IMAP fixes that worked in the comments below. Not being able to receive email is maddening, but it might also reduce or increase your workload on the go.