To turn off email notifications on an iPhone SE, open Settings > Notifications > Mail and turn off Allow Notifications. That silences alerts for every account. To mute just one account, tap Customize Notifications on the same screen, pick the account, and turn its alerts off.
These steps work on every iPhone SE model and other iPhones with a current iOS version. On recent iOS versions you can also reach the same options through Settings > Apps > Mail > Notifications.
Quick Answer
Settings > Notifications > Mail > turn off Allow Notifications.
Turn Off All Mail Notifications
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications, then scroll to and tap Mail.
- Turn off Allow Notifications.
Turn Off Notifications for One Account
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Mail.
- Tap Customize Notifications.
- Tap the account you want to silence.
- Turn off Alerts. You can also turn off badges or change the sound for that account only.
Other Ways to Quiet Email
| Goal | Setting |
|---|---|
| Keep banners, lose the sound | Settings > Sounds & Haptics > New Mail > None |
| Hide the red badge | Notifications > Mail > Badges off |
| Only important senders | Mail > Mailboxes > VIP, then allow alerts for VIP only |
| Check mail less often | Mail settings > Mail Accounts > Fetch New Data, set to Manually or a longer interval |
| Quiet everything for a while | Control Center > Focus > Do Not Disturb |
| Third-party email apps | Settings > Notifications > that app, plus the app’s own settings |
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Troubleshooting
- Alerts keep coming: Check that the email isn’t coming through another app such as a separate email app, which has its own notification settings.
- Alerts repeat: See how to stop repeating alerts.
- Customize Notifications is missing: Update iOS and use the Settings search bar to search for “Mail”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still get email if notifications are off?
Yes. Mail still downloads messages; you just won’t be alerted.
Can I get notified only for replies to a thread?
Yes. In a message, tap the reply arrow and choose Notify Me for that thread.
Does this affect my other devices?
No. Notification settings are per device.
Summary
- Settings > Notifications > Mail > Allow Notifications off.
- Use Customize Notifications to silence one account.
- Remove the sound or badge if you want lighter alerts.
- Use VIP or Focus for more control.
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.