See Full Message Headers in iCloud Mail

Learn the sender's IP, location, routing details, and more

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 AJC1/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated April 07, 2019

Every email contains a header, a list of information that details the origin, destination, time, program, and other metadata about that email. Your mail at iCloud.com is no different.

What Does a Header Include?

Specifically, a header includes some or all of the following, plus much more:

  • The sender
  • The recipient
  • Date sent
  • The subject
  • CC (carbon copy), if applicable
  • BCC (blind carbon copy), if applicable
  • The time sent
  • The time received
  • The sender's location
  • The email service used to send it
  • Routing details

Such information can be useful in many ways. For instance, it can help you spot junk email and scams and who to block if you're being harassed.

How to See It

Much of this information is hidden by default, but iCloud Mail at icloud.com makes it easy to uncover. Here's how:

  • Double-click the desired message to open it in a new window.
  • Click the Gear in the message's toolbar.
  • Select Show Long Headers from the menu that comes up.