Where are mail files stored on mac

On a Mac, mail files are typically stored in the following locations:

  1. Mailbox files: These are the actual email messages and attachments, and they are stored in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/Mailboxes directory. Each mailbox (e.g., Inbox, Sent, Junk) has its own subfolder within this directory.
  2. Mail database: This is a SQLite database that stores information about your email accounts, messages, and settings. It's located at ~/Library/Mail/V2/MailData and is called Mail.db.
  3. Attachments: Attachments are stored in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/Attachments directory.

Here's a breakdown of the directory structure:

Note that these locations may vary depending on your Mac's operating system version and the version of Mail you're using. Additionally, if you're using a cloud-based email service like iCloud or Gmail, your email data may be stored online rather than on your local Mac.

Remember to be cautious when modifying these files, as they contain sensitive information. If you're experiencing issues with your email or want to back up your email data, it's recommended to use the built-in Mail app or a third-party email client instead of manually editing these files.