How do i stop mac mail from deleting emails

The frustration of Mac Mail deleting emails without your consent! Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot and find a solution.

Here are some possible reasons why Mac Mail might be deleting emails:

  1. Trash folder settings: Check if the "Move deleted messages to Trash" option is enabled in Mac Mail's preferences. To do this:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account Name]
    • Look for the "Trash" section and make sure the "Move deleted messages to Trash" option is unchecked.
  2. Automatic deletion: Mac Mail might be set to automatically delete emails after a certain period. To check:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account Name]
    • Look for the "Delete" section and make sure the "Delete messages after [X] days" option is not enabled.
  3. Junk Mail filter: If you have a Junk Mail filter enabled, it might be deleting emails. To check:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Junk Mail
    • Look for the "Filter junk mail" option and make sure it's not enabled.
  4. Rules or filters: Custom rules or filters might be set up to delete emails. To check:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Rules
    • Look for any rules that might be deleting emails and disable or delete them.
  5. Third-party plugins or add-ons: Some third-party plugins or add-ons might be interfering with Mac Mail's behavior. Try disabling any recently installed plugins or add-ons to see if they're causing the issue.

To prevent Mac Mail from deleting emails in the future, you can also try:

  1. Disable the "Delete" button: You can disable the "Delete" button in Mac Mail to prevent accidental deletions. To do this:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Account Name]
    • Look for the "Delete" section and uncheck the "Enable delete button" option.
  2. Use the "Move to Trash" option: Instead of deleting emails, use the "Move to Trash" option to move them to the Trash folder. To do this:
    • Select the email(s) you want to move
    • Right-click (or Control-click) on the selection and choose "Move to Trash"

If none of these solutions work, you can try resetting Mac Mail's preferences or seeking further assistance from Apple Support or a Mac Mail expert.