Apple mail doesn't update automatically

Frustrating! Apple Mail not updating automatically can be a problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check your account settings: Ensure that your email account settings are correct and up-to-date. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your account, and click on "Edit SMTP Server List" to verify the settings.
  2. Enable Push: Make sure Push is enabled for your email account. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your account, and click on "Advanced". Look for the "Push" option and ensure it's enabled.
  3. Check your internet connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable and working properly. A slow or unstable connection can prevent Apple Mail from updating automatically.
  4. Restart Apple Mail: Sometimes, simply restarting Apple Mail can resolve the issue. Quit Apple Mail, then relaunch it.
  5. Check for updates: Ensure that Apple Mail is running the latest version. Go to the App Store, click on "Updates", and check if there are any updates available for Apple Mail.
  6. Disable and re-enable IMAP: Try disabling IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) and then re-enabling it. This can sometimes resolve issues with automatic updates. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your account, and click on "Advanced". Look for the "IMAP" option and toggle it off, then back on.
  7. Check for conflicts with other apps: Other apps might be interfering with Apple Mail's ability to update automatically. Try closing other resource-intensive apps or background processes to see if it resolves the issue.
  8. Reset Apple Mail: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting Apple Mail. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Mail, and click on "Reset" at the bottom of the window. This will reset Apple Mail to its default settings.
  9. Check your email provider's settings: If you're using a third-party email provider, check their settings to ensure that they're not blocking automatic updates. Contact their support team if you're unsure.
  10. Reinstall Apple Mail: As a last resort, you can try reinstalling Apple Mail. Go to the App Store, click on "Purchased", find Apple Mail, and click on the "Install" button.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance from Apple Support or your email provider's support team.