Skip to main content
SignMyMail

How to add an email signature in Apple Mail

Apple Mail on the Mac accepts a pasted rich-text signature with one important checkbox to untick. iPhone Mail is trickier because it strips formatting on paste; the trick is to email the signature to yourself first. Both are covered below.

Create your signature

Before you start

Build and copy your signature with the generator on the home page. Apple Mail keeps embedded images, so an uploaded photo works here; a hosted photo URL works too and keeps messages small.

Apple Mail on Mac

  1. 1

    Open Signatures

    In Mail, choose Mail > Settings from the menu bar (Preferences on older macOS), then click Signatures.

  2. 2

    Pick the account

    Select the account in the left column so the signature is attached to it. Selecting “All Signatures” creates one you can drag onto accounts later.

  3. 3

    Add a signature

    Click the + button under the middle column. Name it something like “Work”.

  4. 4

    Paste

    Click into the right-hand box, select any placeholder text, and paste with Cmd+V.

  5. 5

    Untick “Always match my default message font”

    This checkbox is under the editor. If it stays on, Mail replaces your signature's fonts and sizes with the default message font.

  6. 6

    Choose it as default

    Use the Choose Signature menu at the bottom to pick it for new messages. Close the window; changes save automatically.

iPhone and iPad Mail

  1. 1

    Send the signature to yourself

    On a computer, paste the signature into a new email and send it to the address you use on the phone.

  2. 2

    Copy it on the phone

    Open the message in the Mail app, press and hold on the signature, choose Select All, then Copy.

  3. 3

    Open the signature setting

    Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Signature (on older iOS: Settings > Mail > Signature).

  4. 4

    Paste and restore formatting

    Paste into the field. If the text looks plain, shake the phone and tap Undo Change Attributes to bring the formatting back.

  5. 5

    Per account, if needed

    Tap Per Account to use a different signature for each mailbox.

Tips

  • Mail on the Mac sometimes shows the signature without its photo in the settings window. Send a test message; the image appears in the actual email.
  • Photos embedded in the signature are sent with every message. Keep them small (the generator outputs 240 px) or use a hosted URL.
  • If your signature ends up with a different font, check the “Always match my default message font” box is unticked and paste again.

Common questions

Create your signature