How does mail archive work on mac air

On a Mac Air, the Mail app stores your email messages in a database file called "Envelope Index" (.emlx files) in the ~/Library/Mail/V2 folder. This database is used to store and manage your email messages, contacts, and other related data.

Here's a breakdown of how the Mail app works on a Mac Air:

  1. Message Storage: When you receive an email, the Mail app stores it in the ~/Library/Mail/V2 folder. Each email message is stored as a separate .emlx file, which contains the message headers, body, and attachments.
  2. Envelope Index: The Envelope Index is a database file that keeps track of all the email messages stored in the ~/Library/Mail/V2 folder. It contains metadata about each message, such as the sender, recipient, subject, and date.
  3. Message Retrieval: When you open the Mail app, it queries the Envelope Index to retrieve the list of messages. The app then reads the .emlx files to display the message contents.
  4. Message Indexing: The Mail app also creates an index of the message contents, which allows for fast searching and filtering of messages. This index is stored in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/MessageIndex folder.
  5. Attachments: Attachments are stored separately from the email message body. They are saved in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/Attachments folder.
  6. Trash and Junk: When you delete an email message, it is moved to the Trash folder. The Mail app periodically purges the Trash folder, deleting the messages permanently. Junk emails are also stored in a separate folder, and the Mail app uses algorithms to identify and move them to the Junk folder.
  7. Syncing: If you have multiple devices or accounts set up, the Mail app can sync your email messages across them. This is done using iCloud, Exchange, or other email services.

To manage your email messages and attachments on a Mac Air, you can use the Mail app's built-in features, such as:

You can also use third-party apps or plugins to manage your email messages and attachments, such as email clients like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird.