Apple Mail to Introduce Automatic Email Categorization on iPadOS and macOS
Reading Time: 2 minutes Apple is preparing to roll out a significant update to its Mail app on iPadOS and macOS, bringing automatic email categorization to its broader ecosystem. The feature, which has been available on iPhones since the release of iOS 18.2, is expected to debut with the upcoming macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates, projected for an April 2025 release.
A Smarter Inbox
The automatic categorization feature will help users better manage their emails by sorting incoming messages into four predefined categories:
- Primary: For personal emails and important communications.
- Transactions: Covering receipts, order confirmations, and shipping notifications.
- Updates: Encompassing newsletters, social media notifications, and other updates.
- Promotions: Containing marketing emails and special offers.
Apple’s categorization system is designed to run on-device, leveraging machine learning to ensure user privacy while delivering an efficient organizational experience. The feature is expected to bring a level of email management that competes with Google’s long-standing Gmail categories, introduced back in 2013.
Manual Control and User Customization
Users will have the ability to manually reassign emails to different categories, ensuring flexibility in how they organize their inboxes. However, unlike some competing platforms, Apple Mail will not allow users to create custom categories beyond the predefined options.
New “Digest” Feature
Another major enhancement arriving with the update is the “Digest” feature. This will consolidate emails from the same sender into a single thread, providing users with a streamlined view of all communications from a specific source. This functionality is particularly useful for managing recurring emails from retailers, subscription services, or newsletters.
Privacy-First Approach
Staying true to its commitment to privacy, Apple ensures that all categorization processing occurs on-device, without relying on cloud-based analysis. This approach aligns with the company’s broader “Apple Intelligence” initiative, aimed at providing smart, AI-driven experiences without compromising user data security.
Release Timeline and Availability
The automatic email categorization and digest features are expected to be part of the macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates, which are currently in beta testing and likely to launch publicly in April 2025. Users enrolled in Apple’s beta program can experience the new features ahead of the official release.
Competitive Edge
Apple’s decision to bring these organizational tools to its desktop and tablet operating systems signals a strategic move to compete more effectively with other email clients like Gmail and Outlook. By offering these features natively within the Apple ecosystem, the company hopes to retain users who might otherwise turn to third-party solutions for better email management.
With the integration of AI-driven categorization and a digest feature, Apple Mail is poised to become a more powerful tool for professionals and everyday users looking for a more efficient way to manage their email workflows.
