IMAP Extension XAPPLEPUSHSERVICE — Access to specific APNS Topic

Question

DragonWork OP

Created Mar ’25

Replies 4

Boosts 36

Participants 4

Hi,

I’m looking for guidance on enabling push notifications for new emails in the native iOS Mail app (com.apple.mobilemail).

Currently, I send push notifications using macOS Server (formerly OS X Server) Mail, but since it has been discontinued and renewal is no longer possible, I want to transition to the standard method used by email providers to notify the stock Mail app about new messages.

To achieve this, I need access to the com.apple.mobilemail.push.com.zuplu APNs topic. This follows the same pattern used by other providers:

iCloud: com.apple.mobilemail.push.com.me.mail.castle
Fastmail: com.apple.mobilemail.push.com.fastmail

Since Fastmail (as a third-party provider) has access to this, I assume there is a way for independent mail providers to integrate with XAPPLEPUSHSERVICE. In the interest of a free market and fair competition, I trust that Apple provides a means for email providers to notify the stock Mail app of IMAP server changes, allowing it to fetch new messages instantly.

Under EU competition law, particularly Article 102 TFEU, dominant companies must not engage in anti-competitive behavior, including restricting access to essential services in a discriminatory manner. Furthermore, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) explicitly prohibits gatekeepers from favoring their own services or restricting interoperability without justification.

Any insights or official guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, DragonWork

Boost

Answer 1

DragonWork OP

Apr ’25

This is still highly relevant and yet unanswered, as there is clear interest from the developer community, as evidenced by the numerous upvotes on this topic.

Apple, please clarify:

Is there a registration process for implementing XAPPLEPUSHSERVICE? Or do we need „friends at Apple“ like Fastmail stated on their blog? (Seriously?)
How can third-party providers enable push notifications for iOS Mail?

In light of the DMA, equal access is essential. A response would benefit many developers and users.

12

Answer 2

Antwan86 OP

Apr ’25

Restoring third party access to push mails is critical to ensure iOS remains an open platform with basic work tools such as mail/calendar/contacts.

Without push, emails are often received with hours of delay. At an age where we receive all sort of urgent informations via this media (OTP, signin alerts, notifications, etc), maintaining a way to push on IMAP is critical. Using third party clients is simply not an option for anyone who wants to benefit from the stock iOS mail app, which is much more polished and integrated with the OS.

I wholeheartedly second this feature request, please can an APNS engineer explicit the roadmap here and explain why this was discontinued, given it no longer required to maintain OSX Server, and only the underlaying APNS infrastructure that’s common to all apps.

We need an access to com.apple.mail APNS topic, as IMAP Idle is not an option on mobile devices.

6

Answer 3

orlovnv OP

5d

I also believe that the latest changes have greatly affected developers who expanded the functionality of iOS devices, allowing the corporate segment to use apple devices for their employees, with the ability to use their own mail services. Please give ordinary people back the ability to use all the power of apple devices.

2

Answer 4

mxroute OP

1d

Access to these certs is important to my customers. If Fastmail gets an inside track, fine, tell me who I need to bribe to get a cert.

0