It’s that time of year when I start looking at my core applications stack and am wondering if Apple Mail, the service, is stable enough to make the switch.
Some background - I currently use a paid Microsoft 365 account (custom domain), which has been pretty good. But, with Apple Notes getting better, Reminders getting better, it almost feels like a switch at this core level makes sense.
When I did a deep dive several years ago, it felt like Apple Mail was fairly lean, not really reliable on SPAM, etc. Also the Web Client felt very under developed.
But, with the Mail app evolving, Apple Intelligence arriving, it feels like the right time to Take a look again at Mail.
So - Any thoughts on the State of Apple Mail for 2025?
If you’re Apple ecosystem only its fantastic. Dip your toes by logging in to your 365 account in the mail app.
I also pay for both icloud and 365 and use the icloud service. iOS 18.2 today the app seems great on the phone.
If you’re needing regular web access I’d avoid it completely and stick with 365.
Have they figured out where to do spam filtering yet? Back when I was toying with iCloud Mail in Apple Mail, spam was attacked both in the cloud and locally and it was thoroughly confusing. Not that I’d use either these days, but thought it worth querying.
I’ve had an @mac.com/@me.com/@icloud.com account since 2003 and IMO it really hasn’t changed much. It’s a basic mail system with very few server side controls. And, FYI, web access is turned off by default when you enable Advanced Data Protection.
I only use my @mac.com address at the Apple Store and with Apple Pay. I’ve used Gmail for 20 years and have had Google host my personal domains, first on a free GSuite account, and later on Google Workspace for most of that time. (I prefer server side automation)
Apple Intelligence features will work through the Apple Mail.app, not iCloud mail. So it will/should work with any email provider. iCloud mail doesn’t come close to M365, but if it is enough for you I don’t see a problem.