Apple mail keeps crashing on startup

Frustrating! Apple Mail crashing on startup can be a real nuisance. Let's try to troubleshoot the issue together. Here are some steps to help you resolve the problem:

  1. Restart your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Try restarting your Mac and see if Apple Mail launches successfully.
  2. Check for updates: Ensure that your Mac and Apple Mail are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update (on macOS High Sierra or earlier) or System Preferences > General > Software Update (on macOS Mojave or later). If an update is available, install it and restart your Mac.
  3. Reset Apple Mail: Try resetting Apple Mail by going to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Reset. This will reset your Mail settings to their default values.
  4. Check for corrupted preferences: Corrupted preferences can cause Apple Mail to crash. Try resetting your Mail preferences by going to ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (on macOS High Sierra or earlier) or ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (on macOS Mojave or later). Delete the file, then restart your Mac and launch Apple Mail.
  5. Disable third-party plugins: Third-party plugins can sometimes cause issues with Apple Mail. Try disabling any plugins you have installed by going to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Accounts > [Account Name] > Advanced > Plugins. Uncheck any plugins you don't need.
  6. Check for conflicts with other apps: Other apps might be interfering with Apple Mail. Try closing all other apps and see if Apple Mail launches successfully.
  7. Reinstall Apple Mail: If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling Apple Mail. Go to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Remove Account, then restart your Mac and reinstall Apple Mail from the App Store.
  8. Check for malware: Malware can cause issues with Apple Mail. Run a virus scan using an anti-malware app like Malwarebytes or ClamXAV to ensure your Mac is free from malware.
  9. Reset NVRAM: Resetting NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) can sometimes resolve issues with Apple Mail. To reset NVRAM, press the power button, the Command + Option + P + R keys, and the Power button at the same time. Release the keys when you hear the boot chime for the second time.
  10. Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may want to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can help you troubleshoot the problem or provide additional guidance.

I hope these steps help you resolve the issue with Apple Mail crashing on startup.