Apple mail inbox says read only

Frustrating!

If your Apple Mail inbox is showing as "Read Only", it's likely due to one of the following reasons:

  1. Account settings: Check your account settings to ensure that the "Read-only" option is not enabled. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account] > Advanced > Read-only.
  2. IMAP settings: If you're using IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) to sync your email account, try adjusting the IMAP settings. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account] > Advanced > IMAP.
  3. Server-side issue: It's possible that the issue is on the server-side. Try restarting your email account or contacting your email provider's support team to see if they can resolve the issue.
  4. Cache and data: Sometimes, clearing the cache and data in Apple Mail can resolve the issue. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage > Mail > Show All Mailboxes > [Your Inbox] > Delete.
  5. Third-party app interference: If you're using a third-party email client or app, it might be interfering with Apple Mail. Try closing or uninstalling the app to see if it resolves the issue.
  6. OS or software update: If you've recently updated your operating system or software, it might be causing the issue. Try restarting your device or rolling back to a previous version.
  7. Corrupted mailbox: In rare cases, a corrupted mailbox can cause the "Read Only" issue. Try creating a new mailbox or restoring your mailbox from a backup.

To troubleshoot further, you can try the following:

If none of these solutions work, you may want to reach out to Apple Support or your email provider's support team for further assistance.