Where to find your iCloud email and what to expect
iCloud Mail is the email service that comes with an Apple ID. You check it through iCloud.com on any web browser, through the Mail app on iPhone or Mac, or by adding your iCloud account to Gmail, Outlook, or other email clients on Android or Windows. The inbox works like any other email service — messages arrive, you read them, you delete them or file them into folders.
Your iCloud email address ends in @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com depending on when you created the account. All three work identically and route to the same inbox. If you created your Apple ID with a different email address (like Gmail), that address is not your iCloud Mail address — you would need to set up iCloud Mail separately or add your Apple ID email to the Mail app instead.
Key Takeaways
- iCloud Mail is fastest to check at iCloud.com in a web browser, where you log in with your Apple ID and password.
- On iPhone or iPad, the Mail app shows iCloud messages automatically if you signed in with that Apple ID during setup.
- On Mac, open the Mail app and add your iCloud account through System Settings if it is not already there.
- On Android or Windows, add your iCloud account to Gmail or Outlook instead of trying to use iCloud's web interface on those devices.
- Two-factor authentication on your Apple ID will require you to approve sign-ins from new devices the first time.
Checking iCloud Mail in a web browser
Go to iCloud.com in any web browser on any device. Click "Sign in" and enter your Apple ID email address and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, you will see a prompt asking you to approve the sign-in — check your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for a notification, or enter the six-digit code sent to your phone.
Once you are signed in, click the Mail icon (it looks like an envelope). Your inbox opens and shows all messages in reverse chronological order — newest first. Click any message to read it. To delete, click the trash icon. To move a message to a folder, click the folder icon and choose where to send it. To search, click the magnifying glass at the top and type what you are looking for.
The web version of iCloud Mail works the same way on phone browsers, tablets, and computers. You stay signed in until you click your name in the top right corner and choose "Sign Out". If you are on a shared computer, always sign out when you are done.
Checking iCloud Mail on iPhone or iPad
Open the Mail app. If your iCloud account is not already listed, tap "Accounts" at the bottom, then "Add Account", then "iCloud". Enter your Apple ID email and password. If two-factor authentication is on, approve the sign-in on another device or enter the code when prompted.
Once your account is added, the Mail app shows all your iCloud messages in the Inbox. Swipe left on any message to delete it or move it to a folder. Tap and hold a message to mark it as unread, flag it, or move it. To search, swipe down from the top of the inbox and type in the search box.
The Mail app on iPhone and iPad checks for new messages automatically every few minutes. If you want to check right now, swipe down from the top of the inbox to refresh.
Checking iCloud Mail on Mac
Open the Mail app (it is in your Applications folder or in the Dock). If your iCloud account is not already set up, go to Mail menu at the top, then Preferences, then Accounts. Click the plus sign to add an account. Choose "iCloud" and enter your Apple ID email and password. Approve the sign-in if two-factor authentication prompts you.
Once your account is added, Mail shows your iCloud inbox in the sidebar on the left. Click "Inbox" to see all messages. Double-click any message to read it in a new window. Right-click a message to delete, move, or flag it. Use the search box at the top right to find messages by sender, subject, or content.
The Mail app on Mac checks for new messages automatically. You can also press Command-T to check for new mail right now.
Checking iCloud Mail on Android or Windows
iCloud does not have an official app for Android or Windows, so the easiest route is to add your iCloud account to Gmail or Outlook instead. Both services can read and send from your @icloud.com address.
In Gmail, click your profile picture in the top right, then "Manage your Google Account", then "Security", then "App passwords". Generate a password for iCloud Mail (Gmail will walk you through this). Then go to Settings in Gmail, click "Accounts and Import", then "Add another email address", and enter your iCloud address and the app password Gmail gave you. From then on, you can send from your iCloud address and Gmail will check it for new messages.
In Outlook on Windows or the Outlook app on Android, click "Settings", then "Add Account", then choose "iCloud" from the list. Enter your Apple ID email and password. Outlook will handle the rest and show your iCloud messages alongside any other email accounts you use.
What to do if you cannot sign in
If you see an error when you try to sign in, first check that you are using the correct Apple ID email address. This is not always the email address you use to send from — it is the email you use to log into your Apple account. If you are not sure which one it is, go to appleid.apple.com and sign in there. The email shown at the top is your Apple ID.
If you are sure the email is correct but the password is not working, go to appleid.apple.com, click "Forgot Apple ID or password?", and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to a phone number or email address associated with your account.
If you have two-factor authentication on and you do not see a sign-in approval notification on your other devices, make sure those devices are turned on and connected to the internet. If they are, wait a few seconds — the notification can take a moment to arrive. If nothing appears after a minute, click "Didn't receive a code?" and ask for a code to be sent to your phone instead.
Organizing and finding messages in iCloud Mail
iCloud Mail lets you create folders to sort messages by topic, sender, or project. In the web version, right-click in the folder list on the left and choose "New Mailbox". On iPhone or iPad, tap "Edit" in the Mailbox list and then the plus sign. On Mac, go to Mailbox menu at the top and choose "New Mailbox".
Once you have folders set up, move messages into them by dragging and dropping (on web and Mac) or by swiping and choosing a folder (on iPhone and iPad). You can also set up rules so that messages from certain senders or with certain words automatically go to a folder. On the web, click the settings gear, then Rules. On Mac, go to Mail menu, then Preferences, then Rules.
To find a message you saved, use the search box in any version of iCloud Mail. Search works best when you remember the sender's name, the subject line, or a specific word in the message. Searching for very common words like "the" or "and" will return too many results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my iCloud Mail if I forgot my password?
No, you need your password to sign in. Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" to reset it. You will need to verify your identity using a phone number or recovery email address linked to your account.
Why am I not seeing new messages in the Mail app?
Make sure your device is connected to the internet and the Mail app has permission to access your iCloud account. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Mail, then Accounts, and check that your iCloud account is listed and toggled on. On Mac, go to System Settings, then Mail, and make sure your iCloud account is there.
Can I use iCloud Mail on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can be signed in on your phone, tablet, computer, and web browser all at once. Messages you read or delete on one device will update on the others within a few minutes.
What happens if I delete a message in iCloud Mail?
Deleted messages go to the Trash folder and stay there for 30 days before iCloud removes them permanently. If you delete something by mistake, go to Trash within 30 days and move it back to your inbox.
Can I send email from my iCloud address using Gmail or Outlook?
Yes. When you add your iCloud account to Gmail or Outlook, you can choose to send from your iCloud address in the compose window. The message will come from @icloud.com even though you are using Gmail or Outlook to send it.