Apple mail junk is empty but shows number

That's frustrating!

When Apple Mail's Junk folder is empty but shows a number, it can be due to a few reasons. Here are some possible explanations:

  1. Junk folder is not being updated: Check if the Junk folder is set to update automatically. Go to Mail > Preferences > Junk Mail, and make sure the "Enable junk mail filtering" option is selected. Also, ensure that the "Move it to the Junk mailbox" option is selected for the "When Junk Mail Filtering is On" option.
  2. Junk folder is not being emptied: Sometimes, the Junk folder can get stuck and not be emptied even when it's empty. Try manually emptying the Junk folder by selecting all the messages (Command+A) and then deleting them (Command+Delete).
  3. Junk folder is being filtered by a third-party plugin: If you have any third-party plugins or extensions installed, they might be interfering with the Junk folder. Try disabling any plugins or extensions that you suspect might be causing the issue.
  4. Junk folder is being filtered by a specific account: If you have multiple email accounts set up in Apple Mail, try checking if the Junk folder is being filtered for a specific account. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select the account in question, and check if the "Junk Mail Filtering" option is enabled.
  5. Corrupted Junk folder: In some cases, the Junk folder can become corrupted, causing the issue. Try creating a new Junk folder by going to Mail > Preferences > Junk Mail, and then clicking the "Create New Junk Mailbox" button.
  6. System cache issue: Sometimes, the system cache can cause issues with Apple Mail. Try restarting your Mac or clearing the system cache by going to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage > Clear Storage.

If none of these solutions work, you can try resetting Apple Mail's preferences by going to Mail > Preferences > Reset, and then restarting your Mac. This will reset all of Apple Mail's preferences to their default settings.

If you're still experiencing issues, you can try reaching out to Apple Support or a professional for further assistance.