How to Get VIP Email Alerts in iOS Mail

Set up special email alerts for certain contacts

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
our editorial process
Heinz Tschabitscher
Updated February 01, 2020

VIP notifications are Apple Mail app alerts for select recipients. You might want to set email alerts for certain recipients if you don't want notifications for every single email that reaches your iPad or iPhone. For example, set up your boss as a VIP sender to ensure that each email from them generates a special notification on your device so that you don't miss them. This is easy with VIP notifications.

These directions apply to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices with at least iOS 6.

How to Set Up VIP Email Alerts

The option to create VIP notifications is in the Settings app.

  1. Add a VIP sender if you don't have one set up.

  2. Open the Settings app from the home screen.

    The iPad Settings app

  3. Tap Mail in the left panel to open the Mail settings.

    Mail settings on an iPad

  4. Tap Notifications.

    Notifications settings in iOS

  5. Turn on Notifications by moving the Allow Notifications toggle switch to the green/on position. Then, tap VIP in the middle of the Notifications screen.

    Allow Notifications switch in iOS

  6. Choose an alert style for important emails. Choices include Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners.

    To turn off visual notifications for VIP emails, tap each of those options to remove the blue checkmark.

    Notifications checkmark in iOS settings

  7. Select Sounds to choose a distinctive sound for VIP emails.

    Sounds item in VIP Mail settings in iOS

  8. In the Sounds screen, select a notification sound. It should be different from other alerts you use. Tap any sound to hear a sample of it.

    Sounds screen in iPad settings

  9. Tap VIP at the top of the Sounds screen to return to the VIP notification settings.

    VIP header in iOS Settings

  10. Optionally, enable previews from the Show Previews setting.

    Show Previews heading in iOS VIP notifications

  11. Tap the frequency you want to receive previews of emails from VIPs. Options are always, when your device is unlocked, and never.

    Notifications preview settings in iOS

Some devices might have only a toggle called Show Preview that you enable to receive previews for VIP emails.

Change the Push settings on your device to ensure that new mail comes quickly. The alternative is to have your iPad or iPhone check for new mail less frequently.