An email address works like a postal address for messages. It always has an @ sign in the middle, such as mary.jones@example.com. Your inbox is the list of messages people have sent you, newest at the top.
Bold means new
Messages you have not read yet usually appear in bold or with a blue dot. Once you open them they turn plain.
Step by step
- Open your email app (Mail, Gmail or Outlook).
- Look at the top message: the sender’s name, the subject line and the first words.
- Tap the message to read it all.
- Tap the back arrow at the top left to return to the inbox.
Common mistakes
- Thinking an email must be answered straight away. You can read now and reply later.
Try it yourself
- Open your inbox and read your three newest messages.
Printable cheat sheet: What Email Is and How Your Inbox Works
- Open your email app (Mail, Gmail or Outlook).
- Look at the top message: the sender’s name, the subject line and the first words.
- Tap the message to read it all.
- Tap the back arrow at the top left to return to the inbox.
Print this page and keep the sheet by your device. Never write passwords or PINs on it.
Good to know: Take your time and go at your own pace. Nobody genuine will ever ask you for a password, PIN or one-time code, and you never need to share them to follow this lesson. If anything on your screen looks unexpected, stop and ask a family member or your Tech Helper.