Apple mail export mailbox not working
Frustrating!
The "Export Mailbox" feature in Apple Mail can be a bit finicky at times. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:
- Check the mailbox permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to export the mailbox. You can do this by going to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account] > Advanced > Export Mailbox. If you don't see the "Export Mailbox" option, it might be because you don't have the necessary permissions.
- Check the mailbox size: If the mailbox is too large, it might cause the export process to fail. Try reducing the mailbox size by deleting some emails or moving them to an archive folder.
- Check for corrupted emails: Corrupted emails can cause the export process to fail. Try using a third-party email repair tool to fix any corrupted emails in the mailbox.
- Check the export format: Make sure you're exporting the mailbox in a format that's compatible with your desired destination (e.g., EML, MBOX, or PST).
- Try exporting a smaller mailbox: If the entire mailbox is too large, try exporting a smaller subset of emails (e.g., a specific folder or a date range).
- Check for conflicts with other apps: Other apps might be interfering with the export process. Try closing all other apps and then retrying the export.
- Reset Apple Mail: Sometimes, resetting Apple Mail can resolve the issue. To do this, go to Mail > Preferences > General > Reset and then restart your Mac.
- Check for macOS updates: Ensure your macOS is up to date, as updates often resolve issues like this.
- Try using a third-party export tool: If the built-in "Export Mailbox" feature doesn't work, you can try using a third-party email export tool like Elcomsoft Email Raptor or Mail Extractor Pro.
- Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Remember to always back up your emails before attempting to export them, as there's a risk of data loss during the export process.