Where does mail store messages

When you send an email, the message is stored in various locations along the way. Here's a breakdown of where mail stores messages:

  1. Your Email Client: When you compose an email using an email client like Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail, the message is stored temporarily on your device (computer, phone, or tablet). This is usually in a local storage folder, such as the "Sent Items" or "Drafts" folder.
  2. Email Server: When you send the email, it's transmitted to your email provider's server (e.g., Gmail's servers). The email server stores the message in a database or file system, usually in a folder specific to your account (e.g., "Inbox" or "Sent Items").
  3. Mail Transfer Agent (MTA): When the email server receives the message, it forwards it to a Mail Transfer Agent (MTA), which is responsible for routing the email to its final destination. The MTA stores the message temporarily in a queue, usually on a hard drive or in memory.
  4. Mail Delivery Agent (MDA): The MTA forwards the message to a Mail Delivery Agent (MDA), which is responsible for delivering the email to the recipient's email server. The MDA stores the message temporarily in a queue, usually on a hard drive or in memory.
  5. Recipient's Email Server: The MDA forwards the message to the recipient's email server, where it's stored in the recipient's mailbox (e.g., "Inbox").
  6. Recipient's Email Client: When the recipient checks their email, the message is retrieved from their email server and stored temporarily on their device (computer, phone, or tablet) in their email client's "Inbox" or "Received" folder.

In summary, mail stores messages in various locations, including:

Keep in mind that email providers and email clients may use different storage mechanisms, and the exact locations may vary.