One of the downsides to using multiple devices or clients against a single IMAP account is that every device/client does things a little differently. Some use the IMAP deleted flag, some use a “Trash” folder, others use “Deleted Items”. Sent it almost as bad, most clients use “Sent”, but many use “Sent Items” (Outlook’s standard).
Luckily many IMAP clients allow you to reconfigure the special Sent, Drafts and Trash folders. With the iPhone, you can change these folders, but the option is well hidden, and isn’t always accessible.
First, create an IMAP account on your iPhone, then follow these instructions:
- Start at the home screen
- Go to Settings
- Choose “Mail, Contacts, Calendar”
- Select an IMAP account
- Scroll to the very bottom of the list, choose “Advanced”
- Change each of the “Mailbox Behaviours” items as needed.
If no folders show up in the list, return to the home screen, go to the Mail app, open the account, this should present you with a folder list. Now return to step #1 and try again.
Also be aware that even once you change a mailbox, it will still show up with the default name in the iPhone interface, however, the iPhone will use the selected folder when interacting with the server.