If you’re sharing a phone, deleting an old email account, switching jobs, or preparing to wipe a device, it helps to know what “signing out of Mail” actually means on iPhone.
The Apple Mail app does not include a dedicated “log out” button. Instead, you either turn off Mail for an account, remove the account from your device, or sign out of your Apple Account (iCloud), which affects far more than email.
Use the section that matches your goal:
- Quick answer, turn off Mail or remove an account
- Turn off Mail for one account (stay signed in elsewhere)
- Remove an email account from iPhone or iPad
- Sign out of your Apple Account (iCloud)
- Sign out of Gmail on iPhone (Gmail app)
- Remove an account from Outlook on iPhone (Outlook app)
- Stop receiving email alerts without removing your account
- Important facts before you sign out
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
Quick answer: the fastest way to sign out of Mail on iPhone
If you just want Apple Mail to stop syncing an account, turn Mail off for that account. If you want the account gone from the device, delete it. Not seeing it? You can find Apple Mail in your app library. (That’s also how you add Apple Mail to your home screen!)
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then tap Mail.
- Tap Mail Accounts.
- Tap the email account.
- Do one of the following:
- Temporary: Turn off Mail (or for iCloud email account, turn off Use on this iPhone).
- Remove: Tap Delete Account or Sign Out.
How to turn off Mail for an account on iPhone (without deleting it)
This option is best if you want the account to remain on the device for other services, or you simply want Mail to stop sending and receiving for a while.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then tap Mail.
- Tap Mail Accounts.
- Select the email account.
- Turn off Mail.
On some iCloud mail setups, you may see Use on this iPhone instead of a Mail toggle. Turning that off stops iCloud Mail on the device while leaving your Apple Account signed in.
To re-enable the account later, return to the same screen and switch Mail back on.
Related Reading: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
How to remove an email account from iPhone or iPad
If you’re finished with an account on this device, remove it. This does not close your email address with Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, or any provider. It removes the account from your iPhone, which also removes its mailboxes from the iPhone mail app.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then tap Mail.
- Tap Mail Accounts.
- Tap the account you want to remove.
- Tap Delete Account or Sign Out, then confirm.
If you are signing out because you are giving the phone to someone else, scroll down to the iCloud section below first. Account removal is not the same as transferring ownership safely.
How to sign out of Mail through iCloud (signing out of your Apple Account)
This method signs you out of your Apple Account on the device. It affects many services beyond Mail. Use it when you are switching Apple Accounts, transferring the device, or you truly want iCloud off on this iPhone.
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
- Choose Erase this iPhone or Sign Out But Don’t Erase, then follow the prompts.
Important: If you are selling, gifting, or trading in your iPhone, do not stop at signing out. You should also erase the device so your data is not left behind.
How to sign out of the Gmail app on iPhone
If you use the Gmail app, you remove the Google account from the device inside Gmail. This is separate from Apple Mail settings.
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap Manage accounts on this device.
- Tap Remove from this device for the account you want to sign out of.
Related Reading: How to Recall an Email in Gmail
How to remove an account from Outlook on iPhone (Outlook app)
If you use Microsoft Outlook on iPhone, removing an account happens inside the Outlook app.
- Open the Outlook app.
- Tap your profile icon, then tap the Settings gear.
- Under Accounts, tap the account you want to remove.
- Tap Delete Account, then confirm.
If you still want Outlook installed but want fewer interruptions, consider turning off notifications for Outlook instead of removing the account.
How to stop receiving emails for an account (without logging out)
If your main issue is constant alerts, you often do not need to remove the account at all. Start with notifications, then adjust delivery settings.
Option 1: Turn off Mail notifications
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Mail.
- Turn off Allow Notifications, or customize alerts per mailbox.
You can also use the Do Not Disturb iPhone feature when you want a quiet window.
Option 2: Reduce how often Mail checks for new messages
If you are trying to cut distractions and battery drain, change how Mail updates.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then tap Mail.
- Tap Fetch New Data.
- Adjust Push, then set a fetch schedule, or set specific accounts to fetch manually.
How to log out of email on iPhone: important facts
- Turning off Mail stops sending and receiving in Apple Mail, but the account can still exist on your device for other services like Contacts or Calendars.
- Deleting an account removes it from Apple Mail and other iOS apps using it. It does not cancel the email address with the provider.
- Signing out of your Apple Account affects many iCloud services on the device, not just Mail. Use it carefully.
- If you later want to resume email in Apple Mail, you can re-enable Mail for the account or add the account back.
- Managed devices (work or school) may block account removal or changes. If options are greyed out, check the troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting
Mail Accounts is greyed out or I can’t remove accounts
This is often caused by Screen Time or device management restrictions.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Look for settings that block Account Changes and set them to allow changes.
- If you do not know the Screen Time passcode, you may need the device owner to remove the restriction.
I removed an account, but it keeps coming back
If the iPhone is managed (MDM), the account can be pushed back automatically. In that case, you need the admin to remove the profile or release the device from management.
I turned off Mail but I’m still seeing email elsewhere
Turning off Mail only affects the built-in Apple Mail app. If you also use Gmail, Outlook, or another mail app, you may need to remove or sign out there as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I “sign out” of Mail on iPhone if there is no logout button?
On iPhone, “sign out” usually means turning off Mail for the account, or deleting the account from the device. You do both from Settings, Apps, Mail, then Mail Accounts.
What is the difference between turning off Mail and deleting the account?
Turning off Mail stops syncing email in Apple Mail but keeps the account available on the device. Deleting the account removes it from iPhone apps that use it, including Mail, and clears that account’s mailboxes from your device view.
Will deleting an email account from my iPhone delete my emails forever?
No, for most accounts your emails remain with the provider and on other devices. Deleting the account from iPhone removes it from the device and from Apple Mail, it does not close the email address with Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo.
I only want to stop work email on evenings and weekends. What should I do?
Do not delete the account. Turn off Mail notifications, then adjust Fetch New Data or set that account to manual fetch. If you need a hard boundary, turn off Mail for that account temporarily and turn it back on during work hours.
How do I remove only one email account if I have multiple accounts in Apple Mail?
Go to Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts, tap the account you want, then turn off Mail or tap Delete Account. Your other accounts stay connected.
How do I sign out of iCloud Mail without signing out of my Apple Account?
Turn off Mail for iCloud in Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts, then choose your iCloud account and disable Use on this iPhone or the Mail toggle. This keeps your Apple Account signed in for other services.
How do I sign out of iCloud on iPhone?
Go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Follow the prompts carefully because signing out affects multiple iCloud services on the device.
How do I sign out of Gmail on iPhone?
Open Gmail, tap your profile icon, tap Manage accounts on this device, then choose Remove from this device for the account you want to sign out of.
How do I remove an Outlook account from iPhone?
If the account is in Apple Mail, remove it from Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts. If it is in the Outlook app, open Outlook settings, choose the account, then delete the account from the app.
Why is “Mail Accounts” greyed out on my iPhone?
This is commonly caused by Screen Time restrictions or a managed device profile. Check Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and allow Account Changes if available.
If I remove an email account, can I add it back later?
Yes. You can re-add it from Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts, then Add Account. If it is a work account, you may need the employer’s sign-in or device policy again.
What should I do before selling or giving away my iPhone?
At minimum, sign out of your Apple Account and erase the device so your data is not left behind. Removing a mail account alone is not enough for a safe ownership transfer.
Wrapping up
Now you know how to sign out of Mail on iPhone using the built-in Mail app settings, iCloud sign-out, and popular email apps like Gmail and Outlook. Choose the method that matches your goal, turning off Mail if you want a temporary break, deleting the account if you want it off the device, or signing out of your Apple Account if you are switching owners or accounts.
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