How to Stop Spam in iCloud Mail

Every time you report a message as junk, iCloud Mail gets better at filtering mail from that sender. Here’s how to report junk on each device, rescue genuine email that ended up there, and cut spam down at the source.

Report junk

• iPhone or iPad: swipe left on the message, tap More, then tap Move to Junk.
• Mac: select the message and click the Junk button in the Mail toolbar — or drag it to the Junk folder in the sidebar.
• iCloud.com: select the message, click More, then Move Message to Junk — or drag it to Junk.

Rescue a real email from Junk

• iPhone or iPad: open the message in Junk, tap the Move to Folder button, then tap Inbox.
• Mac: select it in Junk and click the Junk button, or drag it to the inbox.
• iCloud.com: open Junk, select the message, choose Move Message › Inbox › Move.
• Another mail app: move it from Junk to the inbox.

Mail from people in your iCloud contacts, or people you’ve recently emailed, doesn’t go to Junk. Junk is deleted automatically after 30 days, so check it now and then.

Don’t open it — delete it

Apple advises deleting suspected junk without opening it: opening it can tell spammers your address is active. Never click links or reply to unsubscribe from obvious spam. Not sure whether a message is real? The sender checker and email security hub can help.

Turn on Protect Mail Activity

This stops images loading automatically, so senders can’t use hidden images to see when you open their email.

• iPhone or iPad: Settings › Apps › Mail › Privacy Protection › turn on Protect Mail Activity.
• Mac: in Mail, choose Settings (or Preferences) › Privacy › select Protect Mail Activity.
• iCloud.com: icloud.com/mail › Settings › Privacy & Security › turn on Protect Mail Activity.

Keep your real address private

Give shops, apps and sign-up forms a different address. iCloud Mail supports email aliases, and with iCloud+, Hide My Email creates a unique random address for each website or app — so a leaked or sold address never reaches your main inbox.

For newsletters you did sign up for, a rule that files them into a folder keeps your inbox clear without reporting them as junk. If spam is coming from your own account, change your password and see iCloud Mail security.