Apple mail how to prevent from deleting

The frustration of accidentally deleting an important email in Apple Mail! Here are some tips to help prevent accidental deletions:

  1. Use the "Move to Trash" instead of "Delete": When you want to delete an email, use the "Move to Trash" option instead of "Delete". This will move the email to the Trash folder instead of permanently deleting it. You can then recover the email from the Trash folder if needed.
  2. Enable "Ask to Save Changes": Go to Apple Mail > Preferences > General and check the box next to "Ask to save changes". This will prompt you to confirm before making changes to an email, including deleting it.
  3. Use the "Undo" feature: If you accidentally delete an email, you can use the "Undo" feature to recover it. To do this, go to Edit > Undo Delete Message or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Z.
  4. Create a backup: Regularly back up your emails to an external hard drive or cloud storage service like iCloud or Google Drive. This way, if you accidentally delete an important email, you can restore it from your backup.
  5. Use a third-party email client: If you're using Apple Mail, you might consider switching to a third-party email client like Airmail, Spark, or Microsoft Outlook. These clients often have more advanced features and customization options that can help prevent accidental deletions.
  6. Use a "Read-Only" flag: You can flag an email as "Read-Only" to prevent accidental changes or deletions. To do this, select the email, go to File > Flag > Read-Only.
  7. Use a "Do Not Delete" folder: Create a new folder in Apple Mail and name it "Do Not Delete". Move important emails to this folder to prevent accidental deletion.
  8. Use a password or lock: If you're using a shared computer or device, consider setting a password or lock on your Apple Mail account to prevent unauthorized access and accidental deletions.
  9. Regularly review your Trash folder: Regularly review your Trash folder to ensure that important emails aren't being accidentally deleted. You can do this by going to the Trash folder and checking for any important emails.
  10. Consider using a email client with a "Recycle Bin": Some email clients, like Microsoft Outlook, have a "Recycle Bin" feature that allows you to recover deleted emails. If you're using Apple Mail, you might consider switching to a client with this feature.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of accidentally deleting important emails in Apple Mail.