For as wonderful as the App Store is on the iPhone, giving users access to more apps than we could ever imagine, there are some pain points. It’s not so much that there are pain points with the applications, as there are issues with iOS and iPadOS.
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For years, we have seen various email and browser apps come and go from the App Store. Not once, have we been able to set them as the default option. Instead, Apple has forced its users to stick with its own applications. Whether it’s to keep things inside of the “walled garden” or just to have control, the lack of options was getting old. But that’s all changed (for the browser and email apps) in iOS 14.
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Changes to Mail in iOS 14
It seems to be a down year for the built-in Mail app with the release of iOS 14. There weren’t too many “earth-shattering” features added. Many have been clamoring for a complete overhaul of the app, as other email clients have swooped in and provided better experiences.
Before going down a rabbit hole, there was one major new feature released with the Mail app. Siri finally recognizes possible reminders from emails that are received in the stock Mail app. A suggestion will appear, asking if you want to create a Reminder from the email, complete with a link and due dates.
Now it’s time to dive down the rabbit hole. iOS 14 makes it possible for users to finally change the default Mail app on iPhone. The same is true for the Browser, and we are already enjoying the ability to use different browsers, just for the sake of doing so.
Maybe Apple has realized that it can’t catch up to applications like Gmail or Spark Mail. Primarily speaking in regards to Spark, there are many integrations that can make you more productive, and keep your inbox(es) clean and tidy.
How to change default Mail app in iOS 14
In the example below, we’re using Gmail. That’s because just about everyone has a Gmail account at this point, and you don’t have to go through the rigamarole of setting up a Spark Mail account. Here’s how you can change the default Mail app on iOS 14.
- Download Gmail from the App Store.
- Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down until you find Gmail in the list of apps, and select it.
- Tap on Default Email App.
- Select Gmail from the list.
For those wondering, the email apps we have found that work with this new feature includes Gmail, Outlook, and Spark. However, we won’t be surprised if more and more apps integrate this iOS 14 feature in the very near future.
Why can’t I change the default Mail app on iPhone?
Despite a pretty stellar Beta season, iOS 14 still has a few quirks and bugs about it. One bug seems to be for those who already had an email client installed other than Mail. After updating the app, the “mailto: links” would still open in Apple’s email client.
Obviously, that’s not what you want to have happened, so what can you do? Well, there are some sleuths out there who are using iOS 14, that found an easy fix. Here’s what you can do if you can’t change the default Mail app on iPhone.
- Locate the stock Mail application.
- Long press on the icon until you enter “Jiggle” mode (icons start jiggling).
- Tap the “–” button in the top left-hand corner of the icon.
- Confirm that you want to delete the app.
- Open the App Store.
- Search for Mail.
- Download the Apple Mail client.
- Sign into your accounts.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down until you find Mail in the list of apps, and select it.
- Tap on Default Email App.
- Select Mail from the list.
After you have select Mail as your default, close both the Mail app and either Gmail, Spark, or whatever other email app you are using. Then, go back into the Settings app and select the third-party Mail application to be the default.
Voila! Every time you try to open a “mailto: link”, it should now open in your email app of choice. You can go ahead and delete Apple’s Mail application if you want. Or, leave it there in the event that the third-party app starts acting funny.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
Lubomir says
I send you big hug! This is what I need..