Are email attachements easier in iOS9

[Razeus]

For the love of God, has Apple FINALLY given users a way to attach files to emails that aren't photos and video?

For example, when my client wants me to send the company's financial statements, is there a way for me to attached 3-4 pdf documents to an email and send them to her?

 

[Crusoe]

For the love of God, has Apple FINALLY given users a way to attach files to emails that aren't photos and video?

For example, when my client wants me to send the company's financial statements, is there a way for me to attached 3-4 pdf documents to an email and send them to her?

My limited experience so far suggests yes, although it's not perfect. I've been able to attach documents directly from my Dropbox (iCloud is the default option, but I could add Dropbox as a source) without difficulty (not as links but as actual files). I've not tried adding multiple pdfs at once, which never worked for me under iOS 8, and I've reported bugs in viewing emails with pdfs attached, but sending with attachments appears better at least.

 

[Razeus]

Ya, because as of now, I appear to be sending links when I use the GMail app for something that's in my Google Drive, or the Mailbox app when something is in my Dropbox. I would like to send the ACTUAL files.

It was never a problem before, but ever since I start my side business providing bookkeeping services, I'm discovering there's a few things that the iPhone can't do, or do in a manner that should be stupid easy after all these years. What an oversight by Apple...

 

[stulaw11]

Yes the stock mail app allows attachments from iCould, Dropbox, Google Drive and Onedrive now; the actual file not links. Or use a 3rd party app that allows this plus a lot more functionality like CloudMagic, Spark (by Readdle), Boxer etc.

I haven't found a convincing reason to use the stock email app in a long time regardless if they fixed attachments now as conversation threaded view leaves a lot to be desired (can't even see your replies just incoming messages in the thread) so gaining context is very hard without a ton of scrolling.

 

[Razeus]

Yes the stock mail app allows attachments from iCould, Dropbox, Google Drive and Onedrive now; the actual file not links. Or use a 3rd party app that allows this plus a lot more functionality like CloudMagic, Spark (by Readdle), Boxer etc.

I haven't found a convincing reason to use the stock email app in a long time regardless if they fixed attachments now as conversation threaded view leaves a lot to be desired (can't even see your replies just incoming messages in the thread) so gaining context is very hard without a ton of scrolling.

What email app would you recommend?

 

[Abazigal]

What email app would you recommend?

I am using Spark at the moment. Sort of combines Mailbox with the stock Mail app.

 

[pacorob]

I just created a separate wiki topic to get an overview for the iOS8 users out there to see the options of apps that support all types of attachments and the way they attach a file (link or actual file). It's good to read that Apple will finally add this option to their own Mail app.

Does the Mail app in iOS9 also finally offer a way to show an e-mail conversation? Something that is possible with almost every other e-mail app.

 

[GreyOS]

I just created a separate wiki topic to get an overview for the iOS8 users out there. It's good to read that Apple will finally add this option to their own Mail app.

Does the Mail app in iOS9 also finally offer a way to show an e-mail conversation? Something that is possible with almost every other e-mail app.

You can swipe left on a message and select ... (More) and Show Related Messages. This shows all the inbox items and sent items for that grouped conversations. Unfortunately you have to do this every time, so it's not a great solution.

 

[stulaw11]

I am using Spark at the moment. Sort of combines Mailbox with the stock Mail app.

Same, Spark for now. Not perfect but the best of the available options right now.

You can swipe left on a message and select ... (More) and Show Related Messages. This shows all the inbox items and sent items for that grouped conversations. Unfortunately you have to do this every time, so it's not a great solution.

Yeh that isn't workable at all. It should be on by default like every aftermarket mail app. If a button can do it buried there then it could be set on by default

 

[pacorob]

Same, Spark for now. Not perfect but the best of the available options right now.

Yeh that isn't workable at all. It should be on by default like every aftermarket mail app. If a button can do it buried there then it could be set on by default

I'm also now using Spark (with the normal Inbox tab). I hope that the final IOS9(.1) release will have a better way to show conversation e-mails.

 

[Steve121178]

Outlook is the best third party mail app right now. Functionality wise, it puts the rest to shame.

 

[pacorob]

Outlook is the best third party mail app right now. Functionality wise, it puts the rest to shame.

When looking at the reviews in the US App Store of Microsoft Outlook i did saw reviews saying that it only links to cloud storage (i don't know if this is with all cloud storage options, i have seen that e.g. the app Documents 5 did attach a PDF with a Google Drive but not with Dropbox (link). That is why Spark and CloudMagic are so great they actually attach a file to the e-mail and no link (also with e.g. Dropbox files). See also this topic.

 

[stulaw11]

Outlook is a decent app, I used to use it for months, but it doesn't attach as files but instead as links so it fails this topic. Microsoft is doing a good job of keeping it up to date consistently and adding features but it's still behind Spark which has everything but the kitchen sink built into it. Outlook has a few quirks too beyond attachments that need fixing like the font is just so small for some reason; it needs to honor the system font size of be selectable in Outlook settings. Outlook's contact list is a jumbled mess of every contact you have. The calendar needs improvements and you can't search the calendar at all. Small stuff but quirks. But mainly cant attach files put it in my folder of apps I'm waiting for improvements to look at again in the near future.

Cloudmagic is in that folder too. One huge quirk Cloudmagic has is no gmail aliases so it's useless to me since my business uses aliases under one Google Apps account. Even worse is even if you add each account as an inbox you can't select the account you are responding from. Cloudmagic has been saying for a year now it would fix it or add aliases. Cloudmagic can do attachments just fine. No calendar built in like Spark or Outlook though.

Right now, Spark does it all really.

 

[pacorob]

Outlook is a decent app, I used to use it for months, but it doesn't attach as files but instead as links so it fails this topic.
Cloudmagic is in that folder too. One huge quirk Cloudmagic has is no gmail aliases so it's useless to me since my business uses aliases under one Google Apps account. Even worse is even if you add each account as an inbox you can't select the account you are responding from. Cloudmagic has been saying for a year now it would fix it or add aliases. Cloudmagic can do attachments just fine. No calendar built in like Spark or Outlook though.

Right now, Spark does it all really.

I did discover that Spark and CloudMagic are both unfortunately also lacking some features:

1) save multiple attachments to a cloud storage at once. I also read that this is also the case with the Mail app in iOS9 (i saw it here)

2) option to quickly see and click the attachment(s) in an e-mail (press an attachment button to see them or press the files directly) instead of scrolling to the bottom of the e-mail to see it.

3) other languages (e.g. Dutch)

Spark other missing features:
* No iPad support
* The badge icon for a new e-mail(s) does not show, it needs background refresh turned on (wish i don't want). I don't need this for e.g. the Gmail app and Apple's Mail app and get the badge icon for new e-mail so don't understand why Spark needs it

CloudMagic other missing features:
* I also don't like the way CloudMagic currently first asks you to give access to your photos (although i wish to attach a file from GDrive or Dropbox. This only the first time when you press the attachment button when you create a new e-mail

* You also have to select e.g. Dropbox and Google Drive via a separate ... button each time to get your attachment from your cloud storage. I did get a response from CloudMagic already and they are saying that they will make the changes within a few months.

* The search features are not so great. Within Spark i managed to get recent e-mail quickly with e.g. the term 'pdf attachments'

 

[februarian]

I would recommend Dispatch for its speed, ease of use & superior management!

 

[pacorob]

I would recommend Dispatch for its speed, ease of use & superior management!

This Dispatch app which costs 6,99 dollar doesn't however support the attachment features we are discussing here. In the App Store description it says it has a limitation to only attach photo attachments

Spark and CloudMagic do offer attaching various e-mail attachments.

 

[februarian]

You are right on that. On the topic of emails though, for me & those having lots of emails, it is by far the best management app out there!