[iqandjoke]

If you use iPhone, you can use iOS Mail app (and with iCloud mail) if you really care.

Apple dark UX pattern is that there always has badges on Settings app if you do not subscribe to iCloud even if you have manual backup. You cannot dismiss it.

[tengwar2]

I don't subscribe to iCloud, and have never seen these. Where do you see them?

[iamcalledrob]

This has tripped up non-technical family members who ask for help and aren't sure if they are required to pay for these things.

"What is Arcade, am I supposed to be paying for it?"

Sigh. Apple used to be better than this.

[Daedren]

They keep enshittifying the experience for those not using iCloud Mail. They just removed the feature to use alternate email aliases on non-iCloud accounts on iOS 26.