Apple Tweaks Mail Toolbar Once Again in iOS 13.4 Beta 2, Replacing Flag Button With Compose Button

With the first beta of iOS 13.4, Apple introduced a redesigned Mail toolbar that moves the reply icon away from the delete icon, a design that people had complained about since the release of iOS 13 because it made it easy to accidentally delete an email by tapping the wrong button.

mailapptoolbarios134
The first beta featured the delete button on the far left, the reply button on the far right, and folder and flag buttons in the middle, but with the second beta that was released this morning, Apple has once again tweaked the design.

As seen in the image above, the new toolbar features a compose icon on the far right, a reply button next to it, a folder icon, and then the delete icon, still on the far left.

The updated design eliminates the dedicated flag icon, which is presumably not a feature that most people use on a regular basis. The inclusion of a compose button makes more sense and offers more utility than the prior flag icon. For those who do often use the flag icon, it can be accessed after tapping the reply button.

We may see more tweaks to the Mail toolbar in upcoming betas, but this at least seems like a much more logical design that should satisfy people who have been unhappy with the iOS 13 Mail app toolbar.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

zachdog Avatar
78 months ago
Is it too much to ask to go back to the iOS 12 version, which had a flag, folder, trash, reply, and compose icons?

Apple, this is DUMB. Mail in iOS 13 has been three steps back.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmilo Avatar
78 months ago
Why can’t we just pick what we want there ourselves. Choices are good sometimes, Apple
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IMPOSSIBLEMAN Avatar
78 months ago
"The inclusion of a compose button makes more sense and offers more utility than the prior flag icon "

No it is not. I can compose by hitting the reply button. Flagging is good for Follow-up and highlighting important emails.

And it bugs me we are at iOS 13.4 still without a dedicated number row at the top of the keyboard!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Razeus Avatar
78 months ago
Looks like there's still a lot of white space for a flag button. Jesus.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
78 months ago

Why can’t we just pick what we want there ourselves. Choices are good sometimes, Apple
Until you have to provide I.T. Support to your family members who accidentally replaced the buttons and can’t figure out how to reply to an email anymore.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
78 months ago
Somebody got paid a lot of money to create the mess. Now somebody else will get paid a lot of money to "fix" it. We could have just stayed where we were without these two glorious innovations.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)