Mobile View Controls in Email Builder let you customize how emails appear on mobile without changing their desktop designs. Adjust spacing, button typography, media sizing, and social icons using supported mobile styling settings. Mobile styles inherit desktop values unless you override them. This guide explains how to customize, preview, and test mobile-friendly emails.

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What Are Mobile View Controls in Email Builder?

Mobile View Controls allow supported sections and elements in Email Builder to use styling that differs from their desktop appearance. You can switch between Desktop and Mobile within supported styling settings to customize layout spacing, button appearance, images, logos, videos, and social icons.

Mobile styling inherits desktop settings by default. Only settings that you explicitly override use separate mobile values.

Key Benefits of Mobile View Controls

Mobile View Controls help you improve how emails appear on smaller screens while preserving the desktop design. Supported styling options let you make targeted adjustments without rebuilding an email for each device.

  • Independent mobile styling: Adjust supported mobile settings without changing desktop styles.

  • Flexible layout spacing: Customize padding and margins for supported sections and elements.

  • Better mobile buttons: Adjust alignment, full-width behavior, spacing, and button typography.

  • Responsive media: Customize supported image, logo, and video alignment and dimensions.

  • Social icon controls: Adjust icon alignment, size, and spacing for supported Social elements.

  • Backward compatibility: Existing email designs retain their current appearance until mobile-specific styles are changed.

Prerequisites and Limitations

Start with an email template or campaign in the Design Editor. Mobile controls appear in supported styling sections, and the options available depend on the selected element.

  • Mobile styles inherit desktop values until you change them.

  • Not every mobile setting is available on every element.

  • Existing templates and campaigns retain their current appearance unless you update their mobile-specific styling.

  • Some email clients may display default styling instead of certain mobile overrides.

  • Mobile Formatting changes how content looks. Device Visibility separately controls whether the content appears.

Note: Available Mobile View Controls vary by section and element. Review the styling options available for the content you are editing.

How Desktop and Mobile Styles Work Together

Desktop styling provides the default appearance of an email. Supported Mobile View Controls let you override individual settings for smaller screens without rebuilding the desktop design.

  • No mobile override: The setting continues using its inherited desktop or default value.

  • Mobile override applied: The selected setting uses its mobile-specific value in supported email clients.

  • Desktop styling: Applying a mobile-only change does not alter the desktop design.

For example, you can keep a button at its regular desktop width while making the same button full-width on mobile, where supported.

This lets you maintain one email design while adjusting selected presentation details for smaller screens.

Mobile Formatting Settings

Different sections and elements provide different Mobile View Controls. Select the content you want to edit and review its supported styling settings to determine which adjustments are available.

Layout and Spacing

Customize mobile padding and margins for supported sections and content elements. These settings help create appropriate spacing on smaller screens without changing the desktop layout.

Reducing unnecessary horizontal spacing can help content fit narrow screens more naturally.

Button Styling

Mobile button styling helps calls to action remain readable and easy to tap. Supported controls can include the following options:

  • Alignment

  • Full-width behavior

  • Spacing and padding

  • Font size

  • Font weight

  • Font style

  • Text decoration

Use the available mobile settings to improve button readability and spacing without modifying the desktop button design.

Images, Logos, and Videos

Supported mobile media controls let you adjust alignment, dimensions, and padding for images, logos, and videos independently from their desktop styling.

Automatic aspect-ratio locking helps preserve image and video proportions during supported resizing.

Social Icons

Supported Social elements provide styling controls that can help social links remain balanced and readable on smaller screens. Available mobile-specific options can include:

  • Alignment

  • Icon size

  • Spacing between icons

Mobile Override Toggles

Some mobile formatting settings require an override toggle before they use a separate value. When an override is disabled, the setting inherits its desktop or default value.

Enable the relevant mobile override when available, enter the mobile-specific value, and review the result before saving.

For example, if a desktop heading uses its default font size and the mobile override remains disabled, the mobile version continues using that inherited value. When the mobile font-size override is enabled, you can specify a different size for supported mobile email clients.

Note: The override toggles in Appearance → Mobile Formatting are separate from the Desktop and Mobile selectors available within individual element styling controls.

Mobile Formatting vs. Device Visibility

Mobile Formatting changes how content looks, while Device Visibility controls whether the content appears at all. These features solve different mobile-design problems.

Use Mobile Formatting when you want to:

  • Change font size.

  • Adjust alignment.

  • Modify spacing.

  • Restyle a supported element on mobile.

Use Device Visibility when you want to:

  • Hide an element on mobile.

  • Show an element only on mobile.

  • Hide desktop-only content.

  • Create separate desktop and mobile content blocks.

For example, if a large image should not appear on mobile at all, use visibility controls instead of trying to solve the issue only through Mobile Formatting.

Layout Visibility for Mobile and Desktop

Email Builder also supports device-based visibility for entire email layouts. This is useful when a complete section should appear differently or should not appear at all on mobile.

Layout-level visibility can be useful when:

  • A desktop section has a complex multi-column design.

  • A simplified mobile section is easier to read.

  • Separate desktop and mobile content versions are needed.

  • An entire content block should be hidden for one device type.

You can select a layout in the Design Editor and use its Visibility settings to manage supported device-based display options. Supported layouts may also provide Desktop and Mobile visibility icons directly on the layout block.

This gives you three levels of mobile control:

  1. Mobile Formatting: Apply supported style overrides.

  2. Element Visibility: Control individual content elements.

  3. Layout Visibility: Control entire layout blocks.

Email Client and Media Query Limitations

Mobile-specific email styling depends on responsive-email support. Some mobile formatting settings use media queries, which are not handled consistently by every email client.

This means:

  • Supported clients can display your mobile overrides.

  • Unsupported clients may use the default or base styling instead.

  • Preview behavior may not exactly match the received email.

Your default email design should remain readable and usable even if a mobile-specific override is ignored.

Important: Do not rely on a mobile override to fix a critical layout problem that would make the email unusable if the receiving email client ignores that override.

Responsive Design Best Practices

Mobile optimization works best when the entire email is designed with narrow screens in mind, not only the typography. These practices can help improve readability and interaction across supported devices.

  • Keep body text readable without zooming.

  • Avoid very long lines of text.

  • Use clear spacing between sections.

  • Keep buttons large enough to tap comfortably.

  • Avoid overcrowding multiple calls to action in a small area.

  • Make sure images scale appropriately.

  • Review multi-column sections carefully.

  • Use simpler mobile layouts when needed.

  • Keep important information near the top of the email.

Supported email elements are responsive by default, so use mobile overrides where they meaningfully improve the design.

How to Set Up Mobile View Controls in Email Builder

Customize the desktop design first, then apply mobile-only styling where needed. You can use Mobile View Controls with supported sections and elements in existing or new email templates and campaigns.

Step 1: Open Email Builder

Open the email you want to customize in the Design Editor. This gives you access to the styling controls and device previews used to configure supported mobile formatting.

  1. From the left navigation menu, select Marketing.

  2. Select Emails from the top navigation menu.

  3. Open Templates or Campaigns.

  4. Open an existing email. To create a new template, click + New and select the supported Design Editor option.

  5. Continue to the Design Editor to customize your email.

Email Templates page showing Marketing, Emails, Templates, and the New button

Step 2: Select Desktop or Mobile Styling

Supported sections and elements provide Desktop and Mobile styling options so you can adjust their mobile appearance independently. The device selector for an individual setting is different from the email preview controls.

  1. In the Design Editor, select the section or element you want to customize.

  2. Open its available Style settings.

  3. Locate the Desktop and Mobile options where available.

  4. Select Mobile.

  5. Enable the corresponding mobile override if that setting requires one.

  6. Enter the supported mobile-specific styling values.

  7. Return to Desktop to confirm that the original desktop styling remains unchanged.


Optional: Adjust Mobile Text Formatting

The Appearance area also provides default Mobile Formatting controls for supported text types. These settings help keep headings and body text readable on smaller screens.

  1. In the Email Builder, select Appearance.

Email Builder Appearance settings showing the Mobile Formatting option

  1. Expand Mobile Formatting.

Mobile Formatting panel showing toggles for headings, paragraphs, and buttons

  1. Review the available text formatting controls.

  2. Enable the relevant mobile formatting toggle for the content type you want to adjust.

  3. Adjust the supported Font size, Text Align, or Line Height settings.

Mobile Formatting controls showing an enabled Heading H1 toggle, font size, text alignment, and line height

  1. Open the mobile preview to review the result.

  2. Check the desktop version before saving.

Step 3: Adjust Mobile Padding and Margins

Separate mobile spacing can improve readability when desktop spacing is too wide for a smaller screen. Supported sections and elements provide spacing controls with device-specific options.

  1. In the Design Editor, select the section or supported element you want to adjust.

  2. Open the Style settings.

  3. Expand Margin & padding.

  4. Open the device selector and select Mobile.

Margin and padding settings showing the device selector with Desktop and Mobile options

  1. Adjust the available Padding values.

  2. Adjust the available Margin values.

  3. Review the spacing in Mobile view.

  4. Switch back to Desktop to confirm that the original desktop spacing remains unchanged.

Step 4: Customize Buttons for Mobile

Mobile button styling helps create readable and accessible calls to action on smaller screens without changing the desktop button design. Supported controls include device-specific alignment and typography settings.

  1. In the Design Editor, select the Button element you want to customize.

  2. Open the Style tab.

  3. Expand Alignment.

  4. Open the device selector and select Mobile.

  5. Choose the supported mobile alignment.

Button Style settings showing the mobile alignment selector and available alignment options

Button typography can also be customized independently for mobile.

  1. Expand Typography within the Button Style settings.

  2. Open the device selector and select Mobile.

  3. Adjust the available typography settings, such as:

    • Font

    • Size

    • Bold

    • Italic

    • Underline

Button Typography settings showing the Mobile selector, font options, size, and text style controls

  1. Adjust any other supported mobile button settings, such as spacing, padding, or full-width behavior, where available.

  2. Review the button in both Mobile and Desktop views.


Step 5: Adjust Images, Logos, and Videos

Mobile media controls let you adjust the positioning and dimensions of supported visual elements without changing their desktop settings. The available styling options depend on the selected media element.

  1. In the Design Editor, select an Image, Logo, or Video element.

  2. Open the element's available Style settings.

  3. Locate the relevant device selector and select Mobile, where available.

  4. Adjust the supported alignment.

  5. Adjust the available dimensions.

  6. Update the available padding settings.

  7. Review the media in both Mobile and Desktop views.

Automatic aspect-ratio locking helps maintain image and video proportions during supported resizing.

Step 6: Customize Social Icons

Social icon controls help keep profile links balanced and readable on mobile devices. Supported Social elements provide appearance settings for icon alignment, size, and spacing.

  1. In the Design Editor, select the Social element.

  2. Open its Style settings.

  3. Select Mobile using the available device selector, where supported.

  4. Adjust the icon alignment.

  5. Change the supported icon size.

  6. Adjust the spacing between icons.

  7. Review the Social element in both Mobile and Desktop views.

Step 7: Save Your Changes

After applying mobile-specific styles, review both Desktop and Mobile views to confirm the layouts appear as intended. Save the completed design before sending or scheduling the email.

  1. Review the email in Mobile view.

  2. Switch to Desktop and confirm its styling remains unchanged.

  3. If editing a template, click Save template. For a campaign, use the save control available in its editor.

  4. Continue to Preview and Test before sending.

How to Preview and Test Mobile Emails

Previewing helps you identify visual issues inside the builder, while a test send shows you how the email behaves in a real inbox. Both steps are important because email clients can render responsive styles differently.

Preview the Mobile Version

Use the Email Builder preview to compare the email's appearance across available device views. This helps you catch spacing, alignment, and readability problems before sending.

  1. From the left navigation menu, select Marketing.

  2. Select Emails.

  3. Open Templates or Campaigns.

  4. Open the email in the Design Editor.

  5. Click Preview in the upper-right corner.

Email Builder showing the Preview button in the upper-right corner

  1. Select Mobile from the device preview options.

Email preview showing Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile options with Mobile selected

  1. Review spacing, text, buttons, images, videos, and social icons.

  2. Switch to Desktop to check the original design.


What to Check in Mobile Preview

Review the email's layout and individual elements to identify readability or spacing issues before sending a test. Pay particular attention to the following areas:

  • Section padding and margins

  • Button alignment, width, and text readability

  • Image and video dimensions and proportions

  • Logo size and alignment

  • Social icon alignment, size, and spacing

  • Heading and body-text sizing

  • Line wrapping and spacing between elements

  • Image scaling

  • Hidden and visible content

  • Desktop styling after mobile overrides are applied

Send a Test Email

A test email lets you review the finished design in an actual inbox. Use it to confirm that the email remains readable and that mobile-specific formatting displays as expected.

  1. From the left navigation menu, select Marketing.

  2. Select Emails.

  3. Open Templates or Campaigns.

  4. Open the email in the Design Editor.

  5. Locate Preview in the upper-right corner.

  6. Click the three-dot menu near Preview.

  7. Select Test Email.

Email Builder three-dot menu showing the Test Email option

  1. Complete the required Sender email and Send a test to fields.

  2. Review the Sender name, Preview Text, and Email subject fields. Enter the appropriate values as needed.

Test Email form showing sender email, sender name, test recipient, preview text, and email subject fields

  1. Click Send Test Email.

  2. Open the received email in a real inbox.

  3. Review its appearance on the devices and email clients most relevant to your audience.

Recommended: Use both the builder preview and a real test email. Responsive styling can render differently across email clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my mobile font size not changing?

Confirm that the supported mobile font-size override is enabled. Mobile-specific styling can also depend on the receiving email client's support for responsive CSS and media queries.

Q: Do mobile settings affect the desktop version?

No. Mobile-specific overrides are designed to change the mobile appearance while leaving the desktop or default styling unchanged.

Q: Can I make a button full-width on mobile only?

Yes, where the mobile Button controls support full-width styling. This allows the mobile button width to differ from its desktop appearance.

Q: Can I style social icons differently on mobile?

Supported Social elements provide mobile-specific controls for alignment, icon size, and spacing where available.

Q: Will existing templates or campaigns change automatically?

No. Existing emails retain their current appearance unless you update their mobile-specific styling.

Q: Does resizing an image or video change its proportions?

Automatic aspect-ratio locking helps maintain image and video proportions during supported resizing.

Q: Why does my received email look different from the mobile preview?

Email clients use different rendering engines and can handle responsive CSS differently. Always send a test email to confirm the actual inbox experience.

Need Help?

If mobile styling does not appear as expected, check the relevant Mobile View Controls, confirm the correct device selector is active, and review any enabled overrides. Preview the email in both Desktop and Mobile views and send a test email to confirm how the design appears in an actual inbox.

If the issue continues, contact support for assistance. Include the affected element, the mobile styling settings you applied, the email client used for testing, and any relevant screenshots.