How to Get VIP Email Alerts in iOS Mail

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.

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.

   

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

   

4. Tap Notifications.

   

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.

   

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.

   

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

   

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.

   

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

   

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

    

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

    

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.