The first beta of iOS 18.5 for developers has been released today, and initial impressions suggest minimal visible changes. However, a notable improvement allows users to easily revert to the classic Apple Mail design in this version.
The Apple Mail app underwent a significant redesign with the launch of iOS 18.2, introducing features like inbox organization, a digest view, contact images, and more.
At that time, Apple recognized that the new design might not suit everyone’s preferences.
From the outset, users had the option to turn off categorization by tapping the three-dot icon located in the upper right corner.
This menu provided a way to switch from Categories View back to the traditional List View for emails.
It also allowed users to disable the ‘Priority messages’ feature, which uses Apple Intelligence to highlight more important emails at the top of the inbox.
Now, additional menu options have been included: users can turn off contact photos along with the ‘Group by Sender’ digest view.
When the Mail app was initially revamped, it incorporated contact images into the inbox, a design choice that mirrored the style of Apple’s Messages app, where contact photos are similarly emphasized.
In earlier iterations of iOS, disabling Mail’s contact images required navigating through Settings ⇾ Apps ⇾ Mail and turning off the ‘Show Contact Photos’ setting.
Now, with iOS 18.5, users can make this adjustment directly within the Mail app, using the same menu that allows toggling other features on or off. Additionally, disabling the digest view from this menu is another welcome enhancement.
These minor adjustments may not seem significant, but they are appreciated by users who are still adjusting to Apple Mail’s refreshed aesthetics.
What are your thoughts on the Apple Mail redesign? Share your opinions in the comments below.
