New Feature Expected in April Updates
Apple Mail is set to expand its automatic email categorization feature to macOS and iPadOS in April 2025, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The functionality, already available on iPhones since the release of iOS 18, will likely debut with macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4. This new feature will organize emails into predefined categories, including “Primary,” “Transactions,” “Updates,” and “Promotions,” offering a streamlined approach to managing inbox clutter.
Drawing comparisons to Google’s Gmail sorting, which was introduced in 2013, Apple Mail’s categorization allows users to manually reassign emails between categories, which adjusts the system’s future sorting for those senders. However, users cannot create custom categories or modify the sorting logic. While some users appreciate the clarity of organized categories, others might prefer a unified inbox view to avoid missing miscategorized messages. The feature will operate entirely on-device, without requiring the advanced capabilities of Apple’s M-series processors, and will initially support only English-language emails.
Anticipated Impact on User Experience
The arrival of this feature in Apple Mail for macOS and iPadOS aligns with Apple’s broader efforts to enhance productivity tools across its ecosystem. For Mac users, this could rival third-party email applications like Mimestream, particularly for those relying on Google Workspace accounts. The optional categorization feature is designed to provide more control over inbox management, though some users might still rely on manual checks to ensure important messages aren’t overlooked.
In addition to email sorting, Apple is also preparing to introduce a more advanced version of Siri in the same updates. The upgraded Siri will offer contextual understanding of user queries, enabling commands like “Add this address to Rick’s contact information” or “When is my mom’s flight landing?” This improvement, showcased during Apple’s iOS 18 unveiling in June, aims to make multitasking more intuitive across Apple devices.
Apple’s Broader Updates and Roadmap
The impending macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates will build on the company’s recent advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Earlier updates, such as iOS 18.2, introduced features like ChatGPT integration and image generation, while notification summaries are undergoing refinements in iOS 18.3. These updates reflect Apple’s strategy of rolling out Intelligence features incrementally across its platforms.
Developers have already received the third beta of macOS 15.3, signaling that the next major update with email categorization could be just weeks away. Gurman’s report suggests a simultaneous rollout for macOS and iPadOS, though specific details on the iPadOS version remain unconfirmed. With this development, Apple continues to enhance its ecosystem by balancing innovation with user accessibility, ensuring features cater to both casual and power users alike.
