Malicious scripts can be embedded within image files or attachments. Auto-downloading these can trigger malware infections before you even realize a message is suspicious.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to disable automatic downloads across all major email platforms. Why You Should Stop Automatic Email Downloads

Disabling these features is a critical step for both privacy and system performance:

If you are on a limited mobile plan, stopping high-resolution images and large attachments from loading automatically can save gigabytes of data. How to Disable Auto-Downloads by Platform Desktop (Browser) Click the Settings gear and select See all settings . Under the General tab, find the Images section. Select Ask before displaying external images . Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes . Mobile (Android & iOS)

How to Stop Auto Download Mail: A Complete Privacy & Security Guide