The FOLD window
Three columns on the Mac, a permanent split view on iPad and a message list with a folder drawer on iPhone, all built around the same sidebar.
Mac
The window has three columns: the sidebar, the message list and the reading pane. Drag the dividers to change their widths. A status bar below the list shows when FOLD last synced.
The layout button in the toolbar switches to Two-column layout (reading mode). The list then uses the full width; a click or Return opens the selected message in its place, and Esc returns to the list. In the three-column layout a double-click also opens a message in reading mode. The same button switches back to Three-column layout; the command palette offers it as Toggle Layout.
Useful keys from the start:
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘N | New message |
| ⌘K | Command palette |
| ⌘R | Refresh |
| ⌘, | Settings |
| ⌘/ | Tips & Shortcuts |
iPad
At regular width the iPad shows three permanent columns: sidebar, message list and message. The toolbar of the sidebar column holds the command palette (⌘K with a keyboard) and your account picture, which opens accounts and settings. Search sits at the top of the message list on iPadOS 26 and in the sidebar toolbar on earlier versions; with a keyboard, ⌘F opens it. Results replace the list, and a result opens in the reading column.
In a narrow window, for example in Split View or Stage Manager, the iPad switches to the iPhone layout. An open message or an unfinished draft stays open during the switch.
iPhone
The iPhone starts with the message list. Menu at the top left, or a swipe from the leading edge of the screen, opens the folder drawer with the same sidebar as on the other devices. Your account picture at the top right opens Account and settings with Accounts, General, Security & Privacy and iCloud Sync. The compose button sits in the toolbar at the bottom of the list; on iOS 26 the search field sits next to it.
The sidebar
The sidebar has the same order on all devices:
- Unified mailboxes (on iPhone and iPad in the section Mailboxes): Inbox, Drafts, Sent, Spam, Trash and Archive, each combining the matching folders of all accounts. The Outbox sits below Sent on iPhone and iPad; on the Mac it appears only while messages are waiting. See Unified mailboxes.
- Favorites: folders you pinned.
- Smart folders: predefined and saved searches.
- Tags: shown once you have created a tag.
- Accounts: the server folders of each account. On the Mac this group is collapsed by default, and Search folders filters long folder trees.
On the Mac, a Docked area below the accounts keeps messages at hand: drag messages from the list onto it.
Folders, favorites, tags and smart folders explains how to manage these areas.