How to stop mac mail automatically deleting emails
The frustration of Mac Mail automatically deleting emails! Don't worry, I'm here to help you stop this from happening.
By default, Mac Mail is set to automatically delete emails from the "Junk Mail" folder. However, if you're experiencing issues with emails being deleted without your consent, there are a few possible reasons and solutions:
Reason 1: Junk Mail Filter
- Go to Mail > Preferences > Junk Mail.
- Uncheck the box next to "Move it to the Junk Mail folder" under "When Junk Mail is detected".
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
Reason 2: Automatic Account Settings
- Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
- Select the account that's deleting emails automatically.
- Click on the "Advanced" tab.
- Uncheck the box next to "Automatically delete messages older than [X] days" (if it's checked).
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
Reason 3: Smart Mailbox
- Go to Mail > Preferences > Smart Mailboxes.
- Look for any Smart Mailboxes that might be set to automatically delete emails (e.g., "Deleted Messages" or "Junk Mail").
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the Smart Mailbox and select "Edit Smart Mailbox".
- In the "Rule" section, uncheck the box next to "Move it to the [Smart Mailbox name]".
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
Reason 4: Third-Party Plugins or Add-ons
- Check if you have any third-party plugins or add-ons installed that might be causing the issue.
- Disable or uninstall any suspicious plugins or add-ons.
Additional Tips
- Make sure you're not accidentally deleting emails by using the "Delete" key or the "Delete" button in the toolbar.
- If you're using a third-party email client or service, check their settings to ensure they're not automatically deleting emails.
- Consider using a backup service or tool to regularly backup your emails, in case you accidentally delete important messages.
By following these steps, you should be able to stop Mac Mail from automatically deleting emails. If you're still experiencing issues, feel free to provide more details, and I'll do my best to help you troubleshoot the problem!