On this page
How to sync drafts, sent, and deleted messages on iPhone and iPad
Make sure your IMAP email folders sync to the server on iPhone and iPad, not just locally on your device.
This guide applies to email accounts set up as IMAP. If sent messages, drafts, or deleted items are not appearing in the correct folders, your device is likely saving them to local folders rather than the server.
Fix folder syncing on iPhone or iPad
- Tap the Settings icon on your device.
- Tap Mail, then tap Accounts.
- Tap the email account you want to edit.
- Tap the account name again on the IMAP screen.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Advanced.
- Tap the mailbox type you want to change (for example, Sent Mailbox or Deleted Mailbox).
- Under the On the Server section, tap the matching server-side folder.
To update another mailbox, tap the Advanced back arrow in the top left and repeat steps 6 and 7.
You may need to do this separately for Drafts, Sent, and Deleted mailboxes if all three are saving locally.
Was this helpful?
Your feedback helps us find gaps in the docs.
Thanks for the feedback!
Related articles
Set up on Apple (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
How to open Apple Mail
Learn three ways to open Apple Mail on your Mac, ready to set up your email account.
Set up on Apple (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
How to set up a mail account using POP in Apple Mail
Learn how to add a POP email account to Apple Mail on your Mac in a few straightforward st...
Set up on Apple (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
How to set up a mail account using IMAP on Mac
Add your Kualo email account to Apple Mail on a Mac using IMAP in a few straightforward st...
Set up on Apple (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
How to read and send email messages in Apple Mail
A quick walkthrough of reading, replying to, and composing email messages in Apple Mail.
Still need a hand?
Real people, around the clock - start a chat or open a ticket and we'll help you put it right.