Where is my mac mail stored

By default, macOS Mail stores your email messages and data in the following locations:

1. Mailbox files: Your email messages are stored in .mbox files, which are located in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/Mailboxes directory. Each mailbox (e.g., Inbox, Sent, Junk) has its own .mbox file.
2. Mail database: The Mail app uses a SQLite database to store metadata about your email accounts, messages, and folders. This database is located in ~/Library/Mail/V2/MailData and is called Mail.db.
3. Attachments: Email attachments are stored in the ~/Library/Mail/V2/Attachments directory.

Here's a breakdown of the directory structure:

• ~/Library/Mail/V2/: This is the main directory where Mail stores its data.
  • Mailboxes: This directory contains the .mbox files for each mailbox (e.g., Inbox, Sent, Junk).
  • MailData: This directory contains the SQLite database (Mail.db) that stores metadata about your email accounts, messages, and folders.
  • Attachments: This directory stores email attachments.

Note that these directories are hidden by default, so you may need to use the ls -a command in the Terminal to view them.

If you're looking to back up your email data or migrate it to a different email client, you can use the mbox files and the Mail.db database. However, be aware that the format of these files may not be compatible with all email clients, so you may need to use a third-party tool or service to convert them.