Reduce scam risks by disabling 'Use Smart Addresses' in Apple Mail

Apple Mail's Use Smart Addresses feature on Mac hides full email addresses, showing only contact names. While this looks tidier, it can increase your risk of falling for scam and phishing emails. This feature is on by default, but turning it off can help keep you safer.

How to Disable "Use Smart Addresses"

1. Launch the Mail app on your Mac.
2. Click on Mail in the top menu and select Settings.
3. Switch to the Viewing tab and uncheck "Use Smart Addresses".

Disabling this feature ensures that full email addresses are always visible, reducing the risk of falling for scams. Instead of just the sender's name, you'll see the actual email address in angle brackets to the right. This can help you spot suspicious emails—like those claiming "your iCloud account has been hacked"—by revealing the sender's true address. For example, if the sender's address ends in @gmail.com instead of @apple.com, you’ll know it's likely a scam.

This email claims to be from Medicare, but the address is certainly not

Keep in mind, though, that seeing a legitimate-looking email address doesn’t guarantee the email is safe—addresses can be spoofed, although it’s more difficult. Always remain cautious.

Unfortunately, this setting is not on Apple Mail for iPhone or iPad. But you can always tap the sender's name to see their email address. Coming in iOS 18.2 next week, Apple allows companies to prove sender authenticity for their own emails, putting their logo next to the sender. But weirdly, that feature will not be on Mac Mail, at least not yet.

(terribly nonsensical featured image by ChatGPT)