Apple mail only showing unread messages

That's frustrating! If Apple Mail is only showing you unread messages, it's likely due to a setting or a glitch. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you fix the issue:

  1. Check the "Show" dropdown menu: Go to Mail > Preferences > Viewing, and make sure the "Show" dropdown menu is set to "All Messages" or "Unread Messages" (depending on your preference).
  2. Reset the Mail database: Sometimes, resetting the Mail database can resolve issues like this. To do this, go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your account, and click "Reset" next to "Mailbox Behaviors". Then, restart Mail.
  3. Check for duplicate accounts: If you have multiple accounts set up in Mail, it's possible that one account is overriding the others. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, and make sure you only have one account set up.
  4. Check the "On My Mac" mailbox: If you're using iCloud or IMAP accounts, try checking the "On My Mac" mailbox instead of the "Inbox" mailbox. Sometimes, Mail can get stuck on a specific mailbox.
  5. Try searching for all messages: Go to Mail > Find > Search, and type "all" in the search field. This should show you all messages, including read ones. If this works, it might indicate that the issue is specific to the "Unread" filter.
  6. Check for any filters or rules: Go to Mail > Preferences > Rules, and make sure there are no filters or rules set up that might be hiding messages.
  7. Try restarting Mail: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Quit Mail, then relaunch it.
  8. Check for any software updates: Make sure your Mac and Mail app are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and install any available updates.
  9. Try resetting the NLS (Natural Language System): This might sound weird, but resetting the NLS can sometimes resolve issues with Mail. To do this, go to System Preferences > Language & Region, and click the "Reset" button next to "Natural Language System".
  10. Recreate your Mail account: If none of the above steps work, you might need to recreate your Mail account. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your account, and click "Remove Account". Then, set up your account again from scratch.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you might want to consider reaching out to Apple Support or a professional for further assistance.