iPhone Mail Stuck in Outbox? Here’s How to Fix It EasilyKeywords iPhone mail stuck in outbox, email not sending iPhone, iOS mail troubleshooting, fix email stuck, outbox mail iPhoneSending an email from your iPhone should be quick and easy. But sometimes, you may find your message stuck in the Outbox. This can be frustrating, especially if the email is urgent. Don’t worry this is a common issue and can usually be resolved with a few simple steps.
In this topic, you’ll learn the reasons why emails get stuck in the Outbox and how to fix the problem without needing technical support.
What Does It Mean When Mail Is Stuck in the Outbox?
When an email stays in the Outbox instead of being sent, it means the Mail app was unable to deliver it to the server. Until the issue is resolved, the message won’t leave your device. You may see a red exclamation mark or a warning saying ‘Cannot Send Mail.’
This can happen in the Mail app with any email service, including iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others.
Common Reasons Why Emails Get Stuck
Understanding the cause helps you fix the issue more efficiently. Here are the most common reasons
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Poor or no internet connection
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Email server is down or unresponsive
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Incorrect email settings
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Large attachments that slow down sending
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Authentication or password issues
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Background app refresh or sync problems
Let’s explore how to solve each one step by step.
Step 1 Check Your Internet Connection
Your iPhone needs a stable internet connection to send emails. If your email is stuck, check if you’re connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
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Open Safari and visit a website to confirm connection.
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Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa.
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If you’re on public Wi-Fi, there may be restrictions blocking email ports.
A quick toggle of Airplane Mode on and off can also help re-establish a connection.
Step 2 Check the Outbox Folder
Open the Mail app and go to the Outbox folder. You’ll only see this folder if there’s a message waiting to be sent.
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Tap the stuck message.
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Look for any error alerts inside the email draft.
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If it has a large file attached, try removing the attachment and sending it again.
You can also try to resend the message manually by tapping Send again.
Step 3 Verify Email Account Settings
Incorrect mail server settings can cause sending failures.
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Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
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Choose the affected account and tap Account > Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP).
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Check if the hostname, username, and password are correct.
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Ensure that SSL is enabled, and the correct port number is used.
If you’re unsure, visit your email provider’s website to check the recommended settings.
Step 4 Restart the Mail App
Sometimes the Mail app may freeze or glitch.
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Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher.
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Swipe the Mail app up to close it completely.
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Reopen the Mail app and check if the message has been sent.
Restarting the app can help refresh its background tasks.
Step 5 Restart Your iPhone
A basic restart often clears out minor software bugs.
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Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power slider appears.
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Slide to power off.
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Wait a few seconds, then turn your iPhone back on.
After restarting, open the Mail app and check the Outbox.
Step 6 Delete and Recreate the Email
If nothing else works, delete the stuck email and start over.
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Open the Outbox folder.
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Swipe left on the message and tap Delete.
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Create a new email with the same content.
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Try sending again.
This helps clear out any formatting or attachment issues that may have caused the problem.
Step 7 Remove and Re-add the Email Account
If your email account keeps having issues, removing and re-adding it may fix underlying sync or connection problems.
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Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
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Select the account, then tap Delete Account.
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After deletion, go back and tap Add Account to reconfigure it.
Make sure you know your email login details before doing this step.
Step 8 Update iOS to the Latest Version
Outdated iOS versions may cause bugs with Mail and other apps.
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Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
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If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Keeping your system updated ensures compatibility with email providers and fixes known issues.
Step 9 Try Using a Different Mail App
If you frequently face this issue, consider using another mail app such as Gmail, Outlook, or Spark.
These apps often have better compatibility with certain email services and may avoid issues that the native Mail app encounters.
Preventing Future Issues
Once you’ve fixed the current problem, a few habits can help you avoid it in the future
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Don’t send large attachments on weak connections.
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Keep your iPhone updated regularly.
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Periodically check that your email passwords and settings are up to date.
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Use Wi-Fi when sending large files to ensure stability.
Having your iPhone mail stuck in the Outbox can interrupt your workflow, but in most cases, the solution is simple. Whether the cause is a network glitch, account setting issue, or an app bug, the steps above should help you send your email successfully.
With a bit of patience and troubleshooting, you can get your Mail app working smoothly again and prevent future problems.