Syncing VIPs, Smart Folders and Account Settings Across Devices in Airmail
This article explains which Airmail settings sync automatically between your Mac, iPhone and iPad and which ones must be configured on each device.
What syncs automatically
Airmail can synchronize the following data through iCloud when sync is enabled in Preferences > iCloud:
- The list of email accounts and their server configurations
- - General preferences such as signatures and basic appearance options
- - Snoozed messages and Send Later queue
What does not sync between devices
For privacy and platform sandbox reasons, the following items are stored locally on each device and must be configured separately on every Mac, iPhone or iPad:
- The VIP contact list
- - Smart Folders and custom filters
- - Local notification rules and per-account notification toggles
- - Plug-in and third-party integration credentials
How to set up the same configuration on a new device
- Install Airmail from the Mac App Store or App Store on the new device.
- 2. Sign in with the same Apple ID used on your existing device.
- 3. Open Airmail Preferences and enable iCloud sync so your accounts are imported automatically.
- 4. Recreate your VIP list under Preferences > VIP and add the same email addresses you marked as VIP on the other device.
- 5. Recreate Smart Folders under Preferences > Smart Folders using the same rules.
- 6. Adjust per-account notification settings under Preferences > Notifications.
Tip: keep a short note with your VIP addresses and Smart Folder rules so you can replicate them quickly when you add a new device.
If the same VIP address shows messages on one device but not on another, please reindex the account by toggling it off and on under Preferences > Accounts, and contact Airmail Support if the issue persists.
Updated on: 05/16/2026
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