Apple Mail: Set up vacation notice
If you're on vacation, you can set up a vacation notice for Apple Mail. However, you should note that the message is sent to all incoming mails - including spammers.
Create a vacation notice in Apple Mail as a rule
In Apple Mail, you can define a vacation notice as a rule. However, this only works if the computer is started up and connected to the network. If you don't want to turn your Mac on all the time, you should use the iCloud variant in the next paragraph. Important: In the last step of these instructions, click on "Do not apply". Otherwise, the vacation notice will be sent in response to all emails in your mailbox, not just new ones.
- Start the mail program and switch to the "Rules" tab in the "Settings"
- Here click on "Add rule" and enter a name, for example "Out of office".
- Select "All mails" under the conditions. But be careful: In this case, all emails will be answered, including spam messages. If you only want to create a vacation note for a few senders, please enter the email addresses one by one.
- Select "Reply to email" as the action to be carried out. Then enter your message under "Reply text" and confirm the new rule by pressing "OK".
- Important: In the following pop-up you have to press "Do not apply". If you press "Apply", the vacation notice will be sent to all mails that have ever been received.
Set up your vacation notice via iCloud - so it'll work
If you have an iCloud account, you can also use this to set the vacation notice. The advantage is that the vacation notice is sent even if you have not started your computer.
- Open the iCloud in the browser, log in with your Apple ID and click on the mail icon.
- Use the small gear in the upper right corner to open the menu you are looking for. There you will find an editor for mailbox rules under "Rules".
- With a click on "Add rule" you can also create a vacation notice. To do this, follow the same steps as described above. Important: In the last step you have to press "Do not apply". If you press "Apply", the vacation notice will be sent to all mails that have ever been received.
- The new rule then applies to both the mobile and desktop client from Apple Mail.
If you want to sort or forward your messages, read how to set up filters in Apple Mail.