[11 Methods] Fix This Message Has Not Been Downloaded from the Server

User Concern

“I keep getting the message in every single email - This message has not been downloaded from the server. I have space on my iPhone. I've reset and re-downloaded. Logged in and logged out. No luck. Any ideas on how to fix it?”

While managing emails on your iPhone or iPad is very convenient, you might occasionally run into issues with the Mail app. For example, when trying to open an email, your iPhone keeps popping up: "This message has not been downloaded from the server".

If you've encountered this error and aren't sure what it means or how to fix it, this guide is here to help. We will explore why your iPhone email not downloading from server and provide 10 effective solutions to resolve this issue.

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Not Downloading Emails from the Server?

This issue means that your email client hasn't fully retrieved the email content from the server. This can happen for several reasons, including:

• Poor Internet Connection – If your iPhone has a weak or unstable internet connection, the Mail app may fail to fetch messages, resulting in the mail error.
• Outdated iOS: Running an outdated on your iPhone can cause compatibility issues with email servers, which may cause this message has not been downloaded error.
• Mail App Glitches: The Mail app can sometimes become corrupted, which can prevent it from connecting to the server and downloading messages correctly. In such cases, reinstalling the app may be necessary.
• Anti-spam Filter: Anti-spam apps filter out unwanted messages before they reach your inbox. This filtering process can sometimes cause this issue.

Part 2. Quick Solutions to 'This Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' Issue

Now, let's go through the quick and easy solutions to fix this Mail app not fetching emails issue.

1. Restart the Mail App

Since the Mail app doesn’t have a built-in option to re-download messages, force closing and reopening the app can help to fix the problem. Here's how to do it:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the app switcher. (For iPhone with Home button, double-click the Home button.)
• Find the Mail app in the list of apps and swipe up on the app's preview to close it.
• Wait for a while, reopen the app and check if the message with the error is now accessible.

2. Check Internet Connection

Before exploring other solutions, check your internet connection. An unstable connection can often cause this error message.

• Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on and connected to a stable network.
• If you use Cellular Data, ensure it is turned on and your cellular signal strength is adequate.
• Try turning Wi-Fi/Cellular Data off and then on, or switch between Wi-Fi and Cellular Data.
• If the internet connection is unstable, try turning Airplane Mode on and then off again.

3. Enable Fetch New Data Automatically

You can also fix this message download problem by setting your iPhone to automatically fetch new data for the Mail app. This way, your device will check for new emails whenever it’s connected to Wi-Fi or charging. Here's how to do it.

• Navigate to Settings > Mail and choose Accounts.
• Next, tap Fetch New Data.
• Under Fetch, choose Automatically.

4. Turn OFF Mail Privacy Protection

Mail Privacy Protection can sometimes interfere with email loading by preventing remote content from being downloaded. Disabling this feature may help resolve the email message download error on iPhone.

• Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and tap Mail.
• Select Privacy Protection.
• Toggle off Protect Mail Activity.

After disabling this feature, restart the Mail app and check if the email downloads properly.

5. Change Mail Preview Settings

Mail apps often download just the email headers first and get the full message when you open it. If something goes wrong, you might see a download error. To fix this, set your mail preview to 5 lines so the app downloads both the header and the full message at once. Here's how:

• Open the Settings app and go to the Mail tab.
• Under Message List, tap the Preview option.
• Choose 5 Lines and restart the iPhone. Then, check if the failed message download issue is fixed.

6. Remove Email Sync Limit

Setting your mail account's sync to no limit can help to solve this problem. Try it out, but first, check if you have sufficient storage space on your device. If it's not enough, free up some space.

• Go to Settings and open the Mail tab.
• Go to Accounts and select the specific account.
• Tap the Mail Days to Sync option and set it to No Limit.

7. Restart Your iPhone

Are you still seeing the same error? Try restarting your iPhone to give the Mail app a fresh start and allow it to re-download any messages it failed to download. Follow these steps:

• Press and hold the Side button and either the Volume Up or Down button simultaneously until the slider appears. (For older iPhones, press and hold the Side or Top button.)
• Drag the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone.
• After the device powers down, press and hold the Side or Top button again to turn it back on.

8. Remove and Re-add the Email Account

If the error  persists, try deleting your email account and then re-adding it.

• Open Settings and select Mail.
• Tap on Accounts. Select the account that's having problems.
• Hit Delete Account at the bottom to remove the account.

Note that your account will get removed from your iPhone completely, including any saved drafts that are not yet pushed to the server. If all the messages are saved on the server, though, the email messages that are in your inbox won't be affected.

• With the Account deleted, go back to Settings.
• Tap on Mail and open Accounts again.
• Select Add Account and then add your new account.

After successfully adding the account, enable Mail and allow your iPhone to download your mail message – it can take a while, so be patient.

Part 3. Still Having Issues? Try These Advanced Fixes?

If the basic fixes didn’t solve the issue, try these advanced solutions to get your emails downloading again.

1. Reset Network Settings

Try resetting your iPhone/iPad network settings to fix any network issues that might be preventing the Mail app from fetching and downloading messages.

• Launch Settings and open the General tab.
• Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone. Select the Reset option.
• Now tap Reset Network Settings. Enter your device passcode to confirm your choice.

If that doesn’t work, you might need to reset all settings on your iPhone/iPad. This step is more drastic but can resolve unknown conflicts affecting the Mail app. To do this, choose “Reset All Settings” from the listed options.

2. Update the iOS

An outdated iOS can cause the "This message has not been downloaded from the server" error on your iPhone. If your device hasn't been updated recently, the old software might be causing problems with the Mail app and preventing it from receiving emails. Updating your iPhone’s iOS:

• Head to Settings and tap General, then select Software Update.
• Your iPhone will check for available updates. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Part 4. One-stop Solution to Fix All iOS Issues without Data Loss

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps but still see the “This message has not been downloaded from the server” error, it might be due to a software bug or serious firmware issue. In such cases, using a powerful tool like FoneGeek iOS System Recovery is often the best solution. It is designed to fix over 150 iOS issues, including this one, with a high success rate.

Key Features of FoneGeek iOS System Recovery

• Solves more than 150 iOS system problems like reboot loop, stuck on Apple logo, etc.
• Downgrade iOS (like iOS 18 beta) to a lower version without using iTunes or jailbreaking.
• Very easy to use, and your data won't be affected if you use the Standard Mode.
• Compatible with all iPhone models and iOS versions, even iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

Here's how to fix the email message download error using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery:

• Download the software to your computer, install and run it. Select Standard Mode and get your iPhone and computer connected via a USB cable. If the iPhone is detected, hit Next.

• Next, download the right firmware for your device by clicking on Download.

• After downloading the firmware, click Fix Now, and the software will begin fixing the issue on your iPhone. Give it several minutes to finish the repair process.

Conclusion

Seeing the "This message has not been downloaded from the server" error on your iPhone can be frustrating. However, you can try the methods mentioned above to resolve the issue. The simplest and most effective solution is to use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. It has a higher success rate for fixing iOS system issues like this one and is easy to use. Download it and have a try!

FAQs

Q1. Will turning off Mail Privacy Protection affect my emails?

Disabling Mail Privacy Protection stops the Mail app from blocking remote content tracking, which might allow senders to see when you open an email. However, it can help resolve email loading issues.

Q2. What should I do if my emails disappear after seeing this error?

If emails disappear, check if you have a third-party spam filter or if your email account is set to archive emails automatically. Logging into your email account via a browser can help confirm if the emails are still there.

Q3. Should I contact Apple Support or my email provider?

If none of the troubleshooting steps work, first check with your email provider to see if their servers are having issues. If the problem persists across different accounts, then reaching out to Apple Support may be necessary.