A scheme for redirecting data items from a messaging host system to a user's mobile device using a redirector component disposed in a wide-area data network. In one embodiment, a method comprises one or more of the following: automatically detecting receipt of a new data item from the messaging host system for a user over the wide-area data network; based on filtering rules configured for the user, determining if the new data item is to be redirected to the user's mobile device over a wireless network; and upon determining that the new data item is to be redirected, processing at least a portion of the new data item for transmission thereof to the user's mobile device.