16 Pros and Cons of iCloud Email

If you are dealing with convoluted interfaces, multiple tags, and confusing configuration options with your email, then sending messages to others can be a tricky process. Then there is the issue of sending your personal information to someone online in exchange for receiving access to an account. If you’re tired of the mess that this process creates, then it might be time to give iCloud email a try.

Anyone who has an Apple ID can sign up for this email service. All you need is the free identification. This step will give you access to iTunes, the App store, and a simple way to manage the messages that come in every day.

Once you have an iCloud address, you can add the new account to Outlook or other providers without difficulty because Apple included the standard IMAP access to it. You won’t have POP access if you choose this option, but it is a fairly straightforward setup process on most devices.

If you want a better email experience, then here are the crucial pros and cons of iCloud email to review.

List of the Pros of iCloud Email

1. It provides users with an excellent spam filter and archive folder.
If you are tired of seeing a bunch of spam hit your inbox, then iCloud email is something you’ll want to consider. Although no algorithm is 100% perfect in this regard, Apple has made this product pretty good. You can also mark messages as spam to have them moved to the junk folder so that they no longer become a problem. There is a sensible archive folder included with the service as well so that you can retain the items that make sense for your needs. You’re also free to add whatever additional folders you prefer to make sure that your messages stay organized.

2. All Apple devices support iCloud email.
If you love to use Apple products, then it makes sense to use your free ID to create an account. All of the devices that you own will integrate with this service so that you don’t miss out on messages. That includes the iPod Touch and Apple TV in addition to iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. If you’re on a Windows PC, you can still set it up to accept this email option as well. That’s why it is such a simple and useful way to send or receive email every day. It stays with you wherever you happen to be on your preferred device.

This advantage is especially beneficial to those who want to receive push notifications when a new email comes into the account. You’ll receive them on each device, so you know there is something waiting for you whether you’re near an iPad, Mac, or your iPhone.

3. It is simple to use iCloud email on any device.
Apple allows you to compose emails or a reply using rich formatting. You can access this service with any browser, just like you would with Outlook or an older Hotmail address. There is a simple set of buttons to use to organize or send items, along with the option to drag-and-drop messages as needed. Mail Drop gives you the ability to send large file attachments. If you flag one of your emails in the iCloud, then this notification with sync with most other programs. Then inside of each folder, there is a comprehensive search option that lets you find emails by the recipient, subject, content, or sender. The information you need is at your fingertips consistently.

If you have ever signed up for an Apple ID, then you already have access to this email option. If you have two-factor authentication set up, then you’ll need to set up your browser. Then you can access your email, contact notes, pages, and settings. If you have an iPhone, you can even sign in to your iCloud to find it if you’ve lost it somehow.

4. You can easily unsubscribe to unwanted email lists.
Your iCloud email service provides you the option to unsubscribe from lists with only a click or two. It recognizes when you’re receiving information from a potentially unwanted sender. That makes it easier to manage your spam on another level. There are filters available for you to use for message sorting based on the criteria you set too, which means the platform will send your emails to where you want them to be. You even have the option to set up your iCloud email to forward all incoming items automatically if you prefer.

5. There is an option for VIP senders.
When you start using iCloud email, then you’ll see that VIP senders can synchronize with the operating system. Their messages will start being collected automatically in special views, making it easier to keep track of the notes that you don’t want to miss while working. It will sync with your address book on your Apple devices too, giving you complete access to the important data in your life.

6. You have the option to use email aliases in mail on iCloud.
An email alias gives you the option to conceal your primary address from a recipient. This advantage allows you to manage the email you get while monitoring the sources of unwanted messages. Apple gives you the ability to send and receive email with an alias on this platform, with up to three of them active at any time. If you had 5 MobileMe aliases before moving your account to iCloud, then you retain that number unless you delete one of them.

Although you can’t use one of the alias email accounts to sign in when accessing your iCloud account or create a separate Apple ID with it, you’ll find there are still several useful ways to take advantage of this feature.

7. You can use two-factor authentication for your iCloud email.
This advantage is a little tricky since the email platform doesn’t include the two-factor authentication security feature. You can turn it on for your Apple ID to ensure that you’re the only person who has the option to access your account. Even if someone knows your password or personal information, they’d need access to another device or your phone to enter the six-digit verification code that you receive. You’ll see the sign-in request pop up on the other Apple devices you use as well.

8. Apple doesn’t look at the emails that you send or receive.
One of the primary reasons why people made the transition from Gmail to Apple is that the company doesn’t look at your messages with their automated algorithms, There is more privacy when using iCloud email, which means you don’t need to worry about someone snooping around where they don’t need to be. They won’t mine your information for their benefit either, which can be a huge issue with other providers. Have you ever noticed ads pop up on Facebook after you saw a specific product in your email?

9. Long-time users can still enjoy their older email addresses with iCloud email.
If you’ve had an Apple email address for a long time, then you can still use the older extensions instead of being stuck with the @icloud.com option that new users receive. It’s one of the primary reasons why people with @me.com or @mac.com email addresses decided to make the transition. It is a point of uniqueness that is only comparable to the users that have kept their Hotmail addresses after the @live.com and @outlook.com eras for Microsoft. When you add in the advantage of the email aliases as well, it is much easier to protect your identity on this platform when compared to the other ones that are out there.

List of the Cons of iCloud Email

1. The amount of online storage you have is somewhat limited.
If you decide to stick with the free iCloud email account with your Apple ID, then you’re given 5 GB of free storage to use. That data gets shared with documents, backups, and calendars, so it can get used up pretty quickly if you like to save photos through this service. Even though it is pretty easy to set things up via IMAP, you still need to have some knowledge to make that happen. You’re also limited to 20 MB when sending traditional attachments to a recipient. Mail Drop gives you the up to go up to 5 GB, depending on what you have already stored in your account.

2. If you use iCloud email, then it is not accessible via POP.
When you have multiple email addresses that you start juggling, it can be a challenge to stay up-to-date with each one unless you log into them independently. That’s why POP is such a useful option. It allows you to see the new messages that come through without needing to use multiple logins. Apple does not give you the option to access iCloud email through POP, which means you’re forced to go through the browser or your email app on your iPhone or iPad instead. This disadvantage could make life more complicated for some users.

3. The spam filtering can make it challenging to send or receive some messages.
Apple does an excellent job of reducing the spam that you see inside of your inbox, but that advantage does come with a price. You might never receive one of the messages that you need to have from a service provider because the iCloud platform identifies it as junk mail. If you use two-factor authentication for your websites and confirm through email, then that message might never come through for you. Some users never encounter this issue and others see it happen every day, so this issue relies more on the reasons why you’re using email in the first place.

4. Your mailbox counts aren’t synced until new messages are requested.
If you decide to use iCloud email on your mobile device, then you’ll need to manually sync your counts throughout the day. It will only give you an updated count when you put through a push or pull for new messages. This option can help to preserve the battery power of your mobile device, but it can be somewhat annoying when you encounter it on a laptop or desktop app. Since there isn’t a persistent connection to the server, it is up to you to ensure that you’re getting all of the messages that you need every day.

5. Extra storage space can be expensive.
If you save all of your emails for liability purposes, then the price of extra storage is something that you’ll want to consider. Most people will pay about $40 per year to receive an additional 25 GB of storage over the base amount that you receive for free. This issue doesn’t apply if you aren’t saving your messages. Some people even find that the small investment is worthwhile since iCloud email doesn’t feed you a ton of advertising like you’ll end up getting if you sign up for a new Outlook account.

6. There are times when you might lose access to your account.
If you’re signing into iCloud email and don’t have a trusted device available to verify your two-factor authentication, then you can have a code sent by text or automated call to your trusted phone. When you can’t sign in, reset your password, access a trusted device, or receive a verification code, then you must contact Apple directly to regain access to your account. It is an automated process that works as quickly as possible to get you access to your inbox through your ID, but it could be several days or longer before the company will verify your identity. That’s why it can be a headache at times to manage the multiple login steps.

7. It isn’t super easy to use if you’re not in the iOS infrastructure.
When your primary phone is an Android device and you prefer to use a Windows PC, then having an iCloud email address could be more trouble than it’s worth. Since your option for access is in the browser, the simplicity of use from this platform is negated by the extra steps that it takes to access your messages. Microsoft users often find that the Outlook setup process is a lot easier to initiate from their device, especially if they want push notifications over multiple non-Apple platforms.

Conclusion

If you are already using Apple devices, then iCloud email is an option that makes sense. It is easy to set up and start using, and the premium services for additional storage have low monthly costs that are affordable for the average person. The cost is on par with OneDrive from Microsoft. Then you can enjoy messaging with seamless photo and document sharing.

The pros and cons of iCloud email apply to Windows users as well. There are some specific comparison issues to think about when looking at Outlook vs. this Apple service, so make sure to choose the platform that will best meet your needs over time.