Turn Off Follow-Up Mail Suggestions on iPhone and iPad

If Mail keeps prompting you to follow up on messages, you can turn off the feature that creates those reminders. The setting is available on supported iPhone and iPad software; the exact menu name can vary slightly by iOS or iPadOS version.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad with Apple’s Mail app and a recent version of iOS or iPadOS.
Access to the device’s Settings app. You do not need to delete an email account or change your mail provider’s settings.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Find the gray Settings app on your Home Screen or in the App Library, then tap it.
Open the Mail settings. On many current versions, scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Mail. On some versions, Mail appears directly in the main Settings list, so tap Mail there instead.
Find the follow-up suggestion control. In Mail settings, look for a section or option named Follow Up Suggestions. Depending on the software version, it may appear under a section for composing or message settings. Scroll through the Mail page if you do not see it immediately.
Turn off Follow Up Suggestions. Tap the switch next to the option so it is off. A switch that appears gray and has its indicator on the left is generally off; the display can vary with accessibility settings.
Check that the change took effect. Close Settings, open Mail, and review a message that previously showed a follow-up prompt. The suggestion should no longer appear. You do not need to restart the device in normal circumstances.
Repeat on other Apple devices if needed. This is a device setting. If you use Mail on both an iPhone and an iPad, open Settings on each device and switch the feature off separately. Do not assume a change on one automatically changes the other.

Common Mistakes

Looking only in the Mail app. Follow-up suggestions are controlled from Settings, not by a button inside an individual email or mailbox.
Confusing suggestions with notifications. Turning off follow-up suggestions prevents Mail from displaying those prompts. It does not necessarily turn off notification banners, sounds, badges, or alerts for new messages. Manage those separately under Settings > Notifications > Mail.
Changing the wrong setting. Mail has other suggestions and features, including suggestions related to contacts or message handling. Switch off the specifically named follow-up option rather than disabling unrelated features.
Expecting the setting to remove an email. The control affects prompts; it does not delete, send, archive, or otherwise change the message being suggested for follow-up.
Assuming one device controls all devices. Check each iPhone or iPad where you use Mail. A setting may not sync through an email account because it belongs to the device’s Mail configuration.

Tips

If you use Settings search, swipe down on the main Settings screen and type Follow Up Suggestions or Mail. Search results can take you to the relevant control if it is available on your software version.
Make sure you are using Apple’s Mail app. Other email apps have their own reminder or follow-up settings, which will not be controlled by the Apple Mail switch.
If you only want to stop a particular reminder, check whether the prompt offers a dismiss or close control. Turning the feature off is the broader choice and stops future suggestions from that feature.
Keep in mind that a follow-up prompt is a suggestion, not proof that a recipient has or has not read or replied to your message.

Troubleshooting

The option is missing. First confirm that you opened Settings > Apps > Mail, or the direct Settings > Mail page on versions that use that layout. Scroll the full page and use Settings search. If the option still does not appear, your installed software version or Mail configuration may not offer it. Check Settings > General > Software Update for an available update, then check Mail settings again. Menu labels and availability can differ by release.

The switch is already off, but prompts continue. Verify the prompt is from Apple Mail rather than another mail app, a calendar, or a notification. Close and reopen Mail, then check whether the message appears in Mail itself or only as a notification. If it is a notification, review Mail’s notification settings; those are separate from follow-up suggestions. You can also restart the iPhone or iPad if the interface appears stuck.

The switch turns back on or is unavailable. Return to the setting and check it again after leaving the page. If a work or school device is managed by an organization, a configuration profile may restrict some settings; contact the device administrator rather than trying to bypass its controls. On a personal device, install available system updates and restart before checking once more.

You cannot find Mail under Settings. Use the Settings search field. On newer layouts, Apple apps may be grouped under Apps; on other layouts, Mail is listed on the main Settings screen. If Mail has been removed from the device, reinstall Apple Mail from the App Store and then check Settings again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning this off delete or alter my sent emails?
No. It disables follow-up prompts; it does not change messages or your mail account.

Will this stop all Mail notifications?
No. New-message alerts and other notifications have separate controls under Settings > Notifications > Mail.

Do I have to turn it off on both iPhone and iPad?
Usually, yes. Check each device individually because this is a device-level setting.

Can I turn follow-up suggestions back on?
Yes. Return to Mail settings and turn Follow Up Suggestions on again.

Will this affect Gmail or another mail app?
No. It controls suggestions in Apple Mail. Check the other app’s own settings for similar reminders.

Why do I still see a reminder after switching it off?
Confirm it is an Apple Mail follow-up suggestion, reopen Mail, and check that the switch is off on the device showing it. A notification or a prompt from another app is controlled separately.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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