To load images in emails on an iPhone, open Settings > Apps > Mail (on older iOS, Settings > Mail) and turn on Load Remote Images. Many newsletter and shopping emails pull their pictures from the web, and they appear as blank boxes when this setting is off. If Mail Privacy Protection is on, you won’t see the Load Remote Images switch, because Mail loads those images privately in the background instead.
The iPhone 7 tops out at iOS 15, where the path is Settings > Mail. Newer iPhones use Settings > Apps > Mail.
Quick Answer
Settings > Apps > Mail > turn on Load Remote Images. If it’s missing, check Privacy Protection.
Turn On Remote Images
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps > Mail (or just Mail on iOS 17 and earlier).
- Under Messages, turn on Load Remote Images.
- Reopen the email. Images should now appear.
How Privacy Protection Changes Things
| Setting | What happens |
|---|---|
| Protect Mail Activity on | Remote images load privately; senders can’t see when you open the email. Load Remote Images is hidden. |
| Protect Mail Activity off, Load Remote Images on | Images load normally; senders may see when and where you opened the email |
| Both off | Remote images show as placeholders; tap Load All Images in an email to see them |
To change it: Settings > Apps > Mail > Privacy Protection > Protect Mail Activity.
For pictures in texts, see how to show contact photos in Messages.
Troubleshooting
- Images still missing: Check your internet connection and that Mail can use cellular data: see Mail and cellular data.
- Only some emails affected: The sender’s images may be broken, or Low Data Mode may delay loading.
- Attachments not loading: Those are different from remote images. Tap the attachment to download it.
- Too many email alerts? See turning off email notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to load remote images?
It lets senders know you opened the email, which is why some people keep it off. Mail Privacy Protection gives you images without that tracking.
Can I load images for just one email?
Yes. With the setting off, tap Load All Images at the top of the message.
Summary
- Settings > Apps > Mail > Load Remote Images on.
- If it’s hidden, Mail Privacy Protection is on.
- Privacy Protection loads images privately.
- Tap Load All Images for single emails.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.