Tired of having problems with your Mac Mail?
Not sure what happened along the way and endlessly searching for solutions?
Our team of tech experts have teamed up to create a solution-oriented guide to help you identify your most common Mac Mail problems and the best ways to get it working again.
Feel free to follow the entire guide or jump straight to the specific issues listed below:
contents
What if Mac Mail keeps crashing?
What to do if messages are not showing on Mac?
Mac Mail problems with email providers
Sync problems with Mac Mail
Mac Mail alternatives
Postflugzeug
Conclusion
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Common problems with Mac Mail and how to solve them
As "common" as these issues may be, we consider them serious as they degrade your user experience and unnecessarily burden your day-to-day work.
If you are short on time, you can use the table of contents above to find the solution to quickly remove the roadblocks to these Mac issues.
However, if you're not sure what the problem might be, don't panic; You can easily read along and see what troubleshooting steps can help get your Mac software up and running again.
Mail hasn't started since the macOS Catalina update
Occasionally Mac OS (operating system), called Catalina, needs to be updated. Because Catalina was essentially designed to increase user productivity, Apple regularly updates the operating system to fix bugs or improve user experience changes.
However, with these frequent updates, problems are common. For example, some users see an error message that affects their inbox. So rest assured that you are not the only one struggling with Mac Mail problems on Catalina.
The solution: Start your Mac Mail app
If you recently had an operating system update, make sure your Mail app is in the right place on your Mac or that it wasn't accidentally deleted during the update process. Begin by launching your Mac Mail app from your Applications by following the steps below:
1. Open Finder
2. Go to Applications to find the Mac Mail app. If it's not there, then that's why your app isn't working.

3. To quickly find the location of the app, use the Spotlight feature on your Mac.

4. Click the Spotlight icon in the menu bar, press Command-Space or press the Spotlight key (if available in the function key row on the keyboard).

Problems signing in/out of Mac Mail
Having trouble signing in or out of your Mac or Macbook?
When you have this type of Mac problem, you're stuck in a constant login loop only to be logged out again.
Don't feel personally offended, this happens to many users who recently installed or updated macOS Catalina. You can escape the login/logout twilight zone with the following steps.
Solution 1: How to Sign in to Mail on Mac
- First you need to restart your Mac by holding down Command + S on your keyboard as it boots up.
- You will be prompted for a command as your computer boots up. Then enter:/sbin/mount -uw /
- Press Enter on your keyboard. Then enter the following:rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
- Press Enter and restart your Mac.
This helps remove a file so it appears as if you are launching Catalina for the first time. Rest assured this won't delete anything important, you can only create a new admin user account.
Solution 2: How to log out of Mail on a Mac
1. Open the Mail app.
2. At the top, click the Mail > Accounts option.

3. On the left, select the email account you want to unsubscribe from.

4. Disable the mail option on the right

Solution 3: Sign in to Mail again if you haven't removed your account
Once you have your Mail app account and haven't removed it, just signed out of your email account, here's how to sign back into your account:
1. Click the Apple logo at the top and choose System Preferences.

2. Click Internet Accounts.

3. Select the email account you want to turn on email for and turn on Mail on the right.

4. Your emails should appear in the Mail app.
Solution 4: Sign in to Mail again after removing your account
If you've completely removed your email account from your Mac, first add it back using the standard sign-in process, then use the Mail app.
1. To add an email account using the Mail app, open it and go to Mail > Add Account on the menu bar.

2. Select the type of email account to add and follow the instructions.

Mail crashes or runs slowly
Some users have reported that Mac's Mail app frequently crashes or runs slowly from time to time when the macOS system seems to be on the Fritz.
Since this issue may require a little more troubleshooting than usual, we have found 3 solutions to help you get rid of this Mac problem.
Solution 1: Force quit the Mail app
1. To exit or close a Mac app normally, choose Quit from the app's menu in the menu bar, or press Command + Q.

2. If the app doesn't quit, follow these steps to force quit the app by pressing Option+Command+Esc (Escape) at the same time.

3. Then select the app in the Force Quit window and click Force Quit.
4. You can even force Finder to quit when it's not responding: select Finder in the Force Quit window, then click Restart.

Solution 2: Restart Mail using Activity Monitor
1. Go to Activity Monitor via Spotlight, Siri or Utilities.

2. Enter "mail" in the search function.

3. Now click the X icon to force close.

4. Then restart your device.
Solution 3: Delete Saved Email Statuses
If the previous solutions aren't enough, don't be discouraged, we have a few more tips to help you solve this problem. You need to delete saved mail states from your hidden library folder.
Start withBackup your hidden library folderSo you can restore or return all files if something goes wrong.
Now let's jump in, here are the steps you need to take to delete saved mail states:
1. Open Finder > Go to Folder.

2. Now hold down the Option key and select Library to open these folders.

3. Locate this folder: Containers > com.apple.Mail > Data > Library > Saved Application StateDelete saved Mail states.

4. Inside, move this folder to the Trash: com.apple.mail.savedState.

5. Empty the Trash and try restarting Mac Mail or MacBook.
Last repair: refurbishment or rebuild
If you've already tried restarting your MacBook or stopping the mail process and nothing seems to work, the system may no longer recognize you. To refresh or rebuild your Mac operating system, do the following:
- Maybe your system needs a refresh. In your system settings, go to the Update section and update the operating system.
- Maybe your mail just needs a fresh start. In your mailbox, click Create new. Hope everything works fine now.
E-mail folders are missing
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to locate a folder in your Mac Mail, only to find that it's missing or no longer exists.
This happens from time to time in the app and can be fixed as follows:
The solution: check your e-mail connections
1. Open the Mail app.
2. Go to the window in the top menu and click on "Connection Doctor". This will show if there are problems connecting to the Mail app.

3. Now check the account settings again and delete and re-add your email account to reset it. From there, your Mail app folder and any email should be accessible again.

Mail app is slow
Wondering why it takes so long to receive or send messages from your Mail app?
It looks like your Mail app is cluttered with a few extra bytes of information that you no longer need. Since we're no longer doing snail mail, we're fixing this:
The solution: Merge Mail Windows
1. Click Mail > Window.

2. Now select "Merge all windows".

3. Close any windows you don't need to minimize the impact on your mail's storage.
Mail app junk not working
When you get an email in your primary inbox saying you're the lucky winner of a million dollars, all you have to do is send money to claim it. This means your mail app junk filter is not doing its job of protecting you from spam.
To prevent your primary inbox from getting spammed, here's what you can do:
The solution: Reset the Mail app
First you need to check your settings to verify if your junk mail filter is enabled with the following steps:
1. Choose Mail > Preferences.

2. Click Junk E-mail and make sure "Enable junk mail filtering" is selected.

If your junk mail filter is on and you're still having issues, it's time to reset your Mail app as follows:
1. In the Mail app on your Mac, choose Mail > Preferences.

2. Then click Junk Mail.
3. Click Reset and restart your computer before using the app.

Mail does not open on Mac
So you've tried to open your Mail app for the hundredth time and it still refuses to open.
Wait! Before you start troubleshooting, be sure to check if you are connected to the internet as the app needs a strong internet signal to fully function and open.
You can do this by using the "connection doctor" in your top menu bar in your window.

If you are all good there, let's go straight to the solution to your mail not opening on your Mac.
Solution 1: Check the App Folder
First, let's make sure that the app's folder with all its contents is in the Applications folder by following these simple steps:
1. Check if your mail is in the right place - in the Applications folder. You want to make sure the version of the Mail app you want to open is in the Applications folder.
2. Open Finder, go to Applications and double-click Mail.
3. If it's not there, that's why Apple Mail doesn't work. It's somewhere else.
4. To quickly find the location of the app, use the Spotlight feature on your Mac.
5. Click the Spotlight icon in the menu bar, press Command-Space or press the Spotlight key (if available in the function key row on the keyboard).

Note:If the Spotlight icon isn't in the menu bar, add it through the Dock and menu bar settings.
6. In the search box, type "Mail App" and the results will appear as you type.

7. Once you find the app using Spotlight, go to its folder, just drag the Mac Mail app icon to your Applications folder to move it.
8. Restart your computer and then restart the app from the Applications folder.
Solution 2: Update your Mac operating system
Make sure your Apple device has the latest macOS version installed. First, check for an update or new version of macOS with the following steps:
1. From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences.

2. Click Software Update.

3. Click Update Now or Update Now:
- Update Now installs the latest updates for the currently installed version.
- Upgrade Now installs a new major version with a new name, such as macOS Big Sur.
Mac Mail search not working
Occasionally when trying to find a document or email in your Mail app, your search function may stop working.
Once again Mac gives you problems. Most users have complained that after installing or updating their macOS, the search function stopped working.
Here are four solutions to help you if your Mac Mail search isn't working for you:
Solution 1: Reboot your Mac or use Safe Mode
- Similar to turning your device off and on again, you should close your Mac Mail app
- Then hold down the Shift key while clicking on the Mail icon to open it in Safe Mode.
- Close the Mail app completely and repeat step 2 again.
- Close the Mail app and restart your Mac
- Once your Mac is up and running, you can open your Mail app normally and your search should start working again.
Solution 2: Use the Shift key
If the above solution doesn't work, you can try launching the app using your Shift key by doing the following:
- Hold down the Shift key and launch the Mail app.
- Leave the app open for a few seconds, then exit the Mail app and restart your computers
Solution 3: Customize the Touch Bar
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Keyboard.
- Set options for thetouch bar.
- Touch Bar displays: Click the pop-up menu, then choose what you want the Touch Bar to display — like app buttons or the expanded Control Strip.
If you don't want the Control Strip to appear at the same time as app buttons, quick actions, or spaces, deselect the Show Control Strip checkbox.
- Press and hold the Fn key to or Press and hold the globe key to: Click the pop-up menu, then choose what you want to happen when you press and hold the key, such as Control Strip or Quick Actions Show.
- The choices vary depending on what you have set for Touch Bar Shows.
Solution 4: Manually select emails
Instead of searching for your emails, you can search or select them manually. This isn't ideal now, but if you don't have enough time to troubleshoot problems with your Mail app.
Messages are not sent on Mac
If you rely heavily on your inbox to get work done, you can't afford to have emails stuck in your Mac's outbox.
Before you start troubleshooting, check if your internet connection is stable or if you are accidentally in airplane mode (yes, that happens). If you still can't send a message from your Mail app after doing this, try the following solution:
Solution 1: Check the mail server
Looking at your mail server can be a helpful solution if you're having trouble sending messages via email.
Sometimes when your mail server interferes with your mail app, it will send you an alert and sometimes not. So you need to see if the mail server is configured correctly.
1. Make sure the one you have on your Mac is the same one your email provider gave you.

2. Go to Mail > Preferences.
3. Select your account, press Server settings and then Edit SMTP server list.

4. Verify that the server information is what you expect. If it doesn't, you may need to contact your email provider.

5. Test any changes you've made by sending yourself a message.
Solution 2: Check your email connections
Cyber security is essential, but your laptop's firewall software can sometimes cause problems with your Mail app's connection and your email provider's configuration.
If you're not sure if your firewall might be the culprit, follow these steps to find out if this is the reason you're able to send email:
1. Go to Connection Doctor and check for firewall issues, specifically on ports 25, 465, or 587.

2. If this is the case, you should contact your email provider again and possibly reconfigure the server settings.
Last correction:
Don't forget to perform some basic fixes that might help avoid this issue:
- Make sure your Mac is connected to the prospect
- Try loading a page in Safari or another browser to see if the problem is with the app
- Check if the date and time are set correctly on your Mac.
Finally, make sure you are entering the correct phone numberEmail address for contact, if the email address is missing a number or letter, it's either going to the wrong person or not being sent at all.
Mac Mail does not receive emails
Nothing is more suspicious than an empty inbox.
If your inbox is usually buzzing, you should be concerned that yourMac Mail-Appisn't getting your daily dose of email.
We found a solution that may help. But before you start, be sure to check yoursliaison doctorto see what issues might be preventing your mail app from receiving email.
Solution 1: Check filters and blocked messages
We can create filters in our Mail app that filter or prevent messages from appearing in our inbox without knowing it.
To find out if your custom filters are preventing you from receiving email, do the following:
1. Check what filters you have enabled, as Mac only allows filters that are only applied in the current Mail window.

2. If you are unsure which filter is affecting your inbox, you can disable it and restart the app to see if your inbox is filling up. You can do the following to disable your Mac Mail app's filter:
- In the Mail app on your Mac, click the Filter button at the top of the message list
- Or choose View > Filters > Disable Message Filter.
- You can also click and hold the Filter button and then select Disable Message Filter from the menu that appears.

3. You can also enable your filters individually to see which one affects your mail app so you can delete or edit the filter setting. You can do the following to enable your Mac Mail app's filter:
- In the Mail app on your Mac, click the Filter button at the top of the message list
- Or choose View > Filters > Enable Message Filter.
- You can also click and hold the Filter button and then select Enable Message Filter from the menu that appears.

If your filters aren't the problem, you need to check if you have blocked senders in your Mail app and unblock them with these two simple steps:
1. In the Mail app on your Mac, select a message from the sender you want to unblock.

2. In the message header, hover next to their name, click the arrow, and then select Unblock contact.

Solution 2: Check for problems signing in to email accounts
Look at your email accounts to see if they're active or deactivated in your Mac Mail app. Use these instructions to find out:
1. Bring All Accounts Online: Click the lightning bolt icon or select Mailbox > Bring All Accounts Online.

2. Bring a specific account online (if you have more than one account): Click the lightning bolt icon next to the account's mailbox, or choose Inbox > Online Status > Bring [account] Online.
Solution 3: Check for problems with the firewall software
To start receiving emails, try turning your firewall software off and on again to get your emails flowing again with these steps:
1. To open the panel, choose Apple menu > System Preferences.

2. Click Security & Privacy, and then click Firewall.
3. Turn off your firewall, restart your mail app, and then turn on your firewall.

Solution 4: Contact your email account provider
Contact your email account provider or email server (like Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail) to verify the information needed to help you troubleshoot your Mac Mail app account.
Mac Mail hangs while downloading messages
Another common Mac problem is your Mail app getting stuck or preventing you from downloading messages. To fix this problem, here are not one but four solutions to help you solve it:
Solution 1: Temporarily disable email accounts.
By temporarily disabling your email accounts, you can help keep your Mail app working and downloading your messages hassle-free. Follow these steps to temporarily disable your email accounts:
1. Go to Settings > Accounts tab.
2. Quit or exit the Mail app. If necessary, useForce quit optionto close it.
3. Open Mail Go to Window > Activity Monitor

4. Then go to Settings > Accounts.

5. Then activate your accounts one by one. Note: Try not to activate the next account until the previously selected account is fully synced.

Solution 2: Turn off Wi-Fi and reopen the Mail app
If the above doesn't work, try turning your WiFi on and off again, then reopening the Mail app using the following steps:
1. Click on the WLAN symbol in the menu bar and select "Turn off WLAN".

2. Turn off Wi-Fi Apple Mail hangs while downloading messages.
3. Restart the Mail app with WiFi turned off.

4. Once the Mail app is open, re-enable Wi-Fi.
Solution 3: Use the web version of the Mail app
To bypass any in-app issues, first use the web version of your email account instead of using your Mail app.
Solution 4: Try using a different email client
Mail is an email client that you can use to manage your email. However, if you're having too many problems with Mac's Mail app, it's time to find a new email client.
Luckily we made a listThe 5 Best Mac Email Clients ReviewedYou can use as an alternative to the Mail app.
What if Mac Mail keeps crashing?
Do you find that your Mail app still crashes even after updating and restarting your computer?
Despite your best efforts to keep your Mac operating system up to date, the system may no longer recognize you or you may need to remove a problematic file.
Whatever it is, we have the solution you need to help you when your Mail app crashes.
Solution 1: Remove problematic email attachments
A problematic email attachment can cause your email app to crash.
However, if you receive a lot of attachments or have a lot of emails, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which file is the troublemaker.
It's best to remove the newer attachments or the largest attachments you've received so far.
Solution 2: Rebuild Mail Mac
Rebuilding your Mail app isn't as technical as it sounds, just follow this step-by-step guide:
1. Open your Mail app.

2. Select a mailbox in the left sidebar.

3. From the top menu, select Mailbox > Create New.

Solution 3: Disable your email accounts
If you've added multiple accounts to your Mail app, you can manually disable your Mail accounts to fix this issue:
1. Open the Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Choose Internet Accounts.
3. Select your mailboxes in the left sidebar and disable mail in the options.

4. Once you've disabled all mail accounts, restart Mail and see if it worked.
Solution 4: Remove and reindex envelope files
The reindexing envelope files allow mail apps to catalog and search for messages.
In turn, if the envelope files for re-indexing don't work, this can cause your Mail app to stop working. Whether you are tech savvy or a beginner, you can follow these steps:
1. Quit Mail and open Finder.

2. Hold down the Option key and select Go > Library from the top menu.

3. Now select Mail > V7 Folder (this number may be different depending on the macOS).

4. Now select the MailData and locate the following files:
- envelope index-shm
- Envelope index wal
- Envelope Index

5. Copy and paste them to your desktop and delete the original files in the MailData.

6. After you've done this, open Mail again to test it.
How do I delete the Mail app on Mac?
Clearing and reading your mail app can be of great help in solving some of your problemsMac Mail problems.
If you delete or uninstall the Mail app, all emails associated with your email should be safe as they are stored on your email provider's servers.
The solution: Start the Terminal app
1. Enter the command "cd/Applications/".

2. Then press "Enter". A directory of applications is displayed.
3. Next, type the command “sudo rm –rf Mail.app/”.
4. Press Enter.
Once you have followed the steps below, your Mail app should be successfully uninstalled. Just reinstall and follow the prompts to add your accounts to the Mail app.
Why is my SMTP server offline in Apple Mail and how can I fix it?
Only SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used to send e-mails. In most cases, if your SMTP server is offline in your Mail app, you won't be able to send email from your account.
You can fix this problem by editing your SMTP server.
The solution: edit the SMTP server
1. On your Mac computer, open the Mail application.
2. Click the Settings tab.

3. Check that all information is correct. Edit the information properly if necessary.

4. Locate Outgoing Server option and right-click on it.

5. Select the Edit SMTP Server List option.


6. Select the Advanced option.

7. Check that all fields are filled out. If not, fill in all fields with correct data.
8. Be sure to enter the username and password correctly in the provided fields.
Now the SMTP server offline issue should be resolved.
What to do if messages are not showing on Mac?
MacOS gives you the option to view your SMS in the Messages app on your Mac device.
If your messages aren't showing up on your Mac, there's an easy fix, just turn on "SMS Forwarding" on your iPhone.
The solution: Activate SMS forwarding
- It can be enabled by going to Settings Apps > Messages > Text Message
- Then Forward on your iPhone and turn on the switch that appears next to your macOS device in the list.
Mac Mail problems with email providers
If you're unable to use your regular email service provider (Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud) on your Mac, it may be because a recent macOS update has changed some settings on your Mac.
You can fix this situation effortlessly. Here's how to do it.
Gmail not working on Mac
Do you constantly find your Gmail giving you trouble when using the Mail app?
This mail app problem can be one of two things: your security settings or your IMAP. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to fix these two issues to get your Gmail account back in order.
Solution 1: Change the security settings of your Gmail account
Google security features can prevent your mail app from working, as sometimes webmail providers are mistaken for less secure by virtuous security programs.
One way to fix this is to change the security settings of your Gmail account using the following steps:
1. Use the following URL to open your Google My Account (https://myaccount.google.com)
2. Click on Security (in the left navigation pane)

3. Scroll down and locate the Less Secure App Access section.
4. Enable the "Less secure app access" section (note that Google recommends this OFF)

Solution 2: Set up your email account with IMAP
Try setting yours up manuallyEmail account with IMAP on your Mac.
IMAP is a protocol that stores all messages and folders on the server and allows you to do thisAccess your GmailEmails in your Mail app.
Before we start setting up your IMAP account, you need to make sure your IMAP access is enabled on Gmail's side:
1. Login to your Gmail web client (gmail.com)

2. Click Settings: Gmail Settings
3. Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
4. Select Enable IMAP (IMAP Access section)

5. Scroll down and click Save.
Once you've done that, it's time to go to your Mail app to complete the process:
1. Open the Mail app
2. Click on the Mail app
3. Click Settings
4. Click Accounts Email Accounts
5. Select your Gmail account
6. Click the (-) Remove button

7. Add your Gmail account again
8. Enter your email address and click Next
9. Enter your password and click Next
10. And follow the instructions
Last correction:
- Try the "Add another account" option
- Add SMTP/IMAP information manually:
- Incoming mail server: imap.gmail.com
- Outgoing server: smtp.gmail.com
Yahoo Mail not working on Mac
If your Yahoo account doesn't work with your Mail app, it's mostly due to configuration settings.
Among other things, this is mainly due to interference with installed third-party software and your Mac OS update (or the need for it).
To avoid guessing, we've found the top three solutions to get your Yahoo and Mail app working again.
Solution 1: Check if Yahoo Mail account works outside of Mac Mail
First, send an email from your web browser. If there is a problem or the email isn't received, it means Yahoo is causing problems and you need to contact Yahoo or troubleshoot to find the solution.
1. Open a web browser and sign in to your Yahoo Mail account

2. Compose a new email message and paste your own email address in the To field

3. Send the email and within 5 minutes check if it was delivered.
4. If the email is received, that means your mail app is the problem, so move on to the next solution.
Solution 2: Delete and re-add Yahoo Mail account
Deleting and reinstalling your Yahoo account from your Mail app will help give the app a clean slate.
These actions are useful because sometimes the setup of e-mail applications can be broken or access to your e-mails can be restricted.
1. Open the Mac Mail app
2. Click the Mail tab in the top menu.
3. Now select the “Settings” option.

4. In the sidebar, click the Yahoo email account that you want to remove
5. Click the "-" below.

6. Confirm the account deletion by clicking on "OK"

7. After that, add the same Yahoo account to your Mac Mail again
Solution 3: Check Yahoo Mail Account Settings
Using the following settings can prevent your email from downloading emails to your inbox:
- Spam folder:Check the spam folder to see if the email is incorrectly marked
- Blocked address:The email sender may have been accidentally blocked
- E-Mail-Filter:Check the filters to see if the email might have arrived in a different folder
- Reply address:Make sure your reply address is empty
Outlook Mail does not work on Mac
if availableOutlook-Problemewasn't enough, Outlook problems with your Mail app can drive anyone to the edge.
Sometimes Mac operating system and Outlook conflict with each other along with other errors or issues that prevent you from accessing your emails.
Solution 1: Make sure both Mac OS and Outlook are up to date
one fastSolution to your Outlook mail problemis to check that your Mac OS and Outlook Mail on your device are up to date. You can check if they are up to date or have an update waiting for you with the following steps:
How to update Mac:
1. Go to System Preferences
2. Click Software Update.

If you have an older version of the Mac operating system like High Sierra, go to the App Store app to update your software.
Update Outlook on Mac:
1. Open either Microsoft Word, Excel or another Microsoft Office application

2. Click Help > Check for Updates. AutoUpdate checks for updates.
3. Click Update if updates are available.
4. Then restart your Mac.
If you downloaded Outlook from the Mac App Store, open the App Store app to update it. Restart your Mac after the update.

Solution 2: Disable the encrypted email preview feature
Encrypt-Only von Microsoftenables message encryption without rights restrictions. This is a known issueOutlook freezesor other performance issues related to encrypted email.
Disabling the encrypted email preview feature to fix the problem.
1. Exit Outlook (Outlook > Exit Outlook).
2. Open Terminal (Applications/Utilities or you can use Spotlight to open the Terminal app).

3. Type the following command and press Enter:Default values write com.microsoft.Outlook DisablePreviewForSMIME 1

4. Now type the following command and press Enter:killall cfprefsd

5. Close terminal.
6. Restart your Mac device.
7. Open and test Outlook.
Note: Get it wrong and you can do more harm than good to your Outlook and Mail app connections.
Solution 3: Make sure you have the latest updates for your add-ins
Once you have updated your Mac and Outlook Mail to the latest OS or features, you might face problems due to outdated third-party add-ins. Take the time to go through each of them to find out if an update is available and get started.
iCloud Mail not working on Mac
From time to time, your iCloud Mail and Mac can be at odds with each other. If you can't access your email or can't send and receive messages with your @icloud.com email address, just follow these steps.
Solution 1: Check iCloud Mail System Status
1. Open the Mail app on your Mac.
2. Choose Mail > Preferences. Click Accounts, then select your iCloud account in the sidebar.

3. Under Account Information, ensure that the account is activated and the status is online.
Note: On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and make sure Mail is turned on.
Solution 2: Make sure you haven't exceeded your iCloud storage limit
Take a quick look at your iCloud storage to see if you've exceeded your iCloud storage limit. You can free up storage space in iCloud by deleting content you don't use:
- Reduce the size of your iCloud backup
- Delete photos in iCloud Photos
- Delete folders or files in iCloud Drive
- Delete voice memos
For more help managing your iCloud storage, seeApple's instructions here.
Solution 3: Make sure you are using the latest software version on your device
Remember that using the latest version of your Mac operating system can help prevent ongoing problems with your Mac and iCloud Mail account.
Comcast email not available on Mac
Comcast-eMailAs with most service providers, problems can arise on the Mac, to fix this problem quickly you need to restart your entire Comcast email network.
The solution: restarting the entire network
- Turn off your router or modem.
- Unplug the router's power adapter and wait about two minutes.
- Plug the router's power adapter back into the outlet and press the power button on the router.
- Check if the router is receiving the internet connection.
Sync problems with Mac Mail
Your Apple Mail app can sometimes refuse to sync with your Mac device, which can be a bit confusing as the two should be compatible without a problem.
However, this is a known issue among Mac users. To fix your next Mac Mail syncing problem, you can use these detailed steps to find a long-lasting solution.
Mac Mail does not work with Exchange
First, make sure your Mail app and Mac OS are up to date, then force restart your Apple device. After you have done this and the problem still persists, use the following solutions listed below:
Solution 1: Update Mail app and turn off iOS devices
- Update the Mail app if you don't have the latest version.
- Turn off all your iOS and iPad devices.
- Then turn it back on and see if your Exchange account is working as intended on your Mac.
- If this is just a bug in the iOS or macOS update package, restarting all of your devices might fix the problem.
Solution 2: Set up your Exchange account again
- Launch Apple Mail, click the Mail menu and go to Accounts.
- Select your Exchange account and click the Remove button.
- Close the Mail app and restart your Mac.
- Then launch the app again, click on the Mail menu and select Add Account.
- Select Microsoft Exchange from the list of email providers and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Solution 3: Start your Mac in Safe Mode
- Enter Safe Mode by restarting your computer.
- Then press Shift while your Mac boots up.
- Release the Shift key when the login window appears on the screen.
Solution 4: Create a new user account
1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
2. Click Users & Groups.
3. Click the lock icon to unlock the options and then click the Add button.

4. Click New Account, select the type of user profile you want to use. create-new-user-account-mac

5. Enter the new username and password and click Create User.
Solution 5: Use a different email app
If all else fails, you should consider using another email app or email client such as EmailMailbirdto help you solve some Mac or Mail app problems you are constantly facing.
Messages on Mac are not updated
Can't sync your messages on Mac to iPhone? You are not the only one, some users have complained that this is common for them too. Sometimes this can be due to new updates or bugs, but anyway, we've provided some answers below on the best way to fix this Mac problem:
- Force restart iPhone and Mac to fix messages not updating on Mac
- Make sure the email address of the message is true
- Turn off the message, then turn it back on
- Sign out and Messages on Mac
- Verify the mobile phone number with Apple ID
- Using the same Apple ID on Mac and iPhone
If after troubleshooting above you find that you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app or contact support to resolve the issue.
Mac Mail alternatives
If you're fed up with Mac Mail app troubles and want a new email client that will help you and won't hamper your email productivity, here are some Mac Mail alternatives to switch to today should.
Mailbird

Mailbird is a Mac mail appAlternative that allows you to manage multiple emails effortlesslyin one place without the usual complications that come with the Mail app. Mailbird has a team of active developers and a customer support team working 24/7 to ensure your user experience is seamless.
Easily add email accounts, sync your calendars, contacts and tasks to create a unified inbox and workspace.
It has a modern user interface that allows beginners and experts alike to learn the features and tools with ease. Not to mention that you can customize Mailbird to your personal preferences and set it up tech-friendly for POP3 and IMAP protocols.
Plus, Mailbird lets you integrate apps like Whatsapp, Asana, LinkedIn, and more, allowing you to consolidate your workspace into one app instead of switching from app to app.
advantages
- Unified Inbox
- Filter
- Postpone sending
- slumber
- speed reader
- email tracking
- inline reply
- Contacts app
- Native calendar
Disadvantages
- Version for Mac is under development
pricing
- Free trial period; Prices start at $39 for an annual personal subscription
Funke

Spark is an iOS-friendly Mac Mail alternative popular at least for its unique inbox features like pinning messages or automatically sorting newsletters.
Features available on Spark include a smart inbox, search tool, shared drafts, private team emails, and email templates. The search tool deserves special attention because it uses natural language processing, which is especially handy when you can't think of an exact search.
The app is hit and miss with the customization and features added. Not to mention, the app doesn't guarantee that you won't have trouble connecting email accounts.
advantages
- Modern looking user interface
- Intelligent inbox management
- Built-in calendar
- Fast answers
- Integration with third party apps
Disadvantages
- Had some privacy issues in the past
pricing
- Free version and $7.99/month
Newton Mail

Newton Mail-Apphas been on the Mac Mail app's alternative list for the longest time and is a go-to place for the not-so-technical email user who likes to keep things simple. It works best with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices, making it easy to manage multiple email accounts.
It is compatible with Gmail, Exchange, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail/Outlook, iCloud, Google Apps, Office 365 and all IMAP accounts, providing control over them all from one place.
However, Newton Mail was discontinued in 2018 and as such hasn't been updated since, meaning the interface and experience is clunky and if users run into problems with the software they'll have to figure it out themselves or rely on community boards.
advantages
- Nice looking interface
- More efficient inbox cleaning tool
- read receipt
- Automatically returns conversations
Disadvantages
- Comparatively expensive
pricing
- 14-day free trial, $49.99/year
airmail

This app is the best mail appAlternative specifically for GmailUsers who want to connect their Gmail accounts without any complicated problems. The app is designed as a convenient and flexible email client for Apple users as it supports macOS, iOS and Apple Watches.
advantages
- Nice looking interface
- Unterstützt Gmail, GSuite, iCloud Mail, Exchange, Office 365
- privacy mode
- Offers a variety of plugins
- Supports Touch Bar
Disadvantages
- Some custom actions do not work reliably
- Not all plugins work as expected
pricing
- Free version and paid version: $2.99/month
Postflugzeug

Mailplane is anotherMail app alternative for Gmail userson Mac. Like other email clients, you can integrate it with major apps like Zoom, Evernote, Clearbit, Boomerang, Gmail, Mac OS X, Google Features, and Todoist. However, note that it is not as robust as other email clients in terms of user interface, updates, and support. That's good newsApple mail client is available for Windowsas.
advantages
- Easy way to manage Gmail, Calendar and Contacts
- Integrated with a number of Mac apps
- Provides a variety of keyboard shortcuts
- annotation tools
Disadvantages
- Major upgrades are not available for free
- Only works with Gmail accounts
pricing
- $29.95 for personal license and $39.95 for family license
Conclusion
Some common problems with Mac Mail app are slow performance, app not receiving or sending emails, search issues and others.
In addition, problems with e-mail providers and synchronization can occur.
Every problem has a solution. It can be as simple as checking the filter settings or as challenging as rebuilding the app.
If you still can't fix the Mac Mail problem, you can try one of the followingAlternative Mail-ClientsLike Mailbird to get you through!
FAQs
Why isn't my Mail working on my Mac? ›
Check whether your account is offline or disabled (inactive). If you're missing emails from a specific person or group, check whether you blocked messages from them. Try quitting Mail, then opening it again. Choose Window > Connection Doctor, then follow any instructions in the Details column.
How do I reset the Mail app on my Mac? ›- Open the app and select Uninstaller from the left sidebar.
- Choose the Mail app in the list.
- Click the little arrows next to Uninstall to reveal the Reset button.
- Finally, click Reset.
Check for status messages
If the status is Network Offline, make sure that your Mac is connected to the internet, then try again. If the status is Login Failed, check with your email service provider (ESP) to be sure that your account is set up correctly on your Mac.
Take all accounts online: Click the lightning bolt icon or choose Mailbox > Take All Accounts Online. Take a specific account online (if you have more than one account): Click the lightning bolt icon next to the account's mailbox, or choose Mailbox > Online Status > Take [account] Online.
How do I fix my email not working? ›- Step 1: Update your Gmail app. To get the latest fixes on problems with sending or receiving mail, update your Gmail app.
- Step 2: Restart your device.
- Step 3: Check your settings.
- Step 4: Clear your storage. ...
- Step 5: Check your password. ...
- Step 6: Clear your Gmail information.
Go to App Store and download the Mail app again. Finally, go to Settings > Mail and re-enable your email accounts. The procedure is the same as described above. You only need to turn on the toggle.
Does resetting Mail app delete emails? ›No, you will not lose your emails if you delete your Mail app. Your emails are stored on a server, not locally on your iPad.
What is the latest version of Mac Mail? ›Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Stable release | iOS 1.3.3 / September 19, 2019 |
Engines | WebKit, Nitro |
Operating system | macOS, iOS, watchOS, and iPadOS |
Type | Email client |
- On your computer, go to Gmail.
- In the top right, click Settings. See all settings.
- At the top, choose a settings page, such as General, Labels, or Inbox.
- Make your changes.
- After you're done with each page, click Save Changes at the bottom.
This problem is normally caused by incorrect SMTP server settings, or often also by a firewall or antivirus software blocking access.
Why are emails not delivering? ›
This can be caused by invalid addresses (domain name doesn't exist, typos, changed address, etc.). A soft bounce is an email that gets as far as the recipient's mail server (it recognizes the address) but is bounced back undelivered before it gets to the recipient.
Why is SMTP not sending emails? ›Check whether there is network access from CSO to the SMTP server. Check whether the firewall is blocking SMTP traffic to SMTP server or whether the ports are blocked. If the server settings and authentication settings are correct, check whether the firewall is blocking port 587 and 465 and SMTP traffic.
How do I update my Mac Mail? ›- Open the Mail app on Mac.
- Find the envelope icon in the top bar, next to “create new message” icon.
- If you can't locate the envelope icon, go to View > Show Tab Bar.
- Click the icon and wait a few seconds until Mail refresh is complete.
It's very common that Mail quits unexpectedly on Mac because it's outdated or incompatible with the current macOS system. A simple Mail app update will help. You can update Mail by updating your macOS (About This Mac > Software Update) — but it might take a while.
How do you unfreeze Mail on Mac? ›- Press Command- Esc-Option on your keyboard at the same time, then release them. ...
- Select the name of the frozen application from the menu's list and click Force Quit. ...
- If the Force Quit menu doesn't appear or the frozen program doesn't close, you'll need to restart your computer.
First and foremost, if you receive an error message, copy it down. This is the best way to diagnose a problem. If it says that your username and password is wrong, it is probably because that is true. You would consequently re-enter the information or reset your email password.
What are the problems with emails? ›- Delayed or lost emails. Delayed or lost emails are not only annoying, but they can also get you in trouble. ...
- Email stuck in outbox. ...
- Bad email hosting and disk quota errors. ...
- Misusing emails. ...
- Bottom Line.
Right-click on the problematic account and choose Account settings from the context menu. Click on Change mailbox sync settings in the next window. Expand the drop-down menu under Download new mail and choose the every 15 minutes option. In the same window, scroll down to Sync options and turn the toggle on for Email.
What happens if I delete mail account on Mac? ›You can remove an email account from the Mail app on your Mac at any time. When you do, the account's email messages are removed from your Mac. Copies of messages remain on the account's mail server and are still available (from webmail, for example).
Will deleting emails free up storage? ›Emails can take up tons of space on your Android operating system. If you keep thousands — or even hundreds — of emails around, then it's time that you clear a significant amount of space by deleting these emails in Gmail.
Does deleting email delete everything? ›
Most email programs, such as Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook, simply move the deleted email to a trash folder that permanently erases the email only after a certain length of time. If waiting is not your thing, you can venture into the trash folder and force a permanent delete to erase the emails forever.
Does deleting emails reduce storage? ›Deleting removes emails from your inbox. It does save up space, but you won't be able to ever again access your emails. This puts you at risk both in financial and legal terms. You won't be able to produce evidence for ediscovery and litigation.
What can I use instead of Mac Mail? ›- Spark.
- eM Client for Mac.
- Thunderbird.
- Mailspring.
- Polymail.
- Airmail 3.
- Newton.
- Outlook.
With iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple has added a number of improvements to the Mail app to bring it in line with competing email apps. The Mail app includes search updates, an undo send option, and tools for getting reminders about emails that you need to follow up on, plus more.
Will Apple ever update the Mail app? ›Apple Mail modernizes with several new features in macOS Ventura and iOS 16. While Apple's Mail app didn't quite get the overhaul we were looking for at WWDC, the app is still getting its largest update in years.
Where are my email account settings? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app Google. Manage your Google Account.
- At the top, tap Personal info.
- Under "Contact info," tap Email.
- Tap Google Account email. ...
- Follow the steps on the screen.
- Select the Sent Items folder.
- Select or double-click the message so it opens in another window.
- Select File > Info.
- Select Message Resend and Recall > Recall This Message..., and select one of the two options. ...
- Select the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.
- Select OK.
IMAP settings incorrect
Confirm the IMAP server and port is correct. Most IMAP ports will be 993 or 143. Verify the server meets the technical requirements for connecting via IMAP and SMTP. Your IT team might only allow certain IP addresses to connect with your inbox.
SMTP is an internet standard used by mail servers to send and receive email. SMTP error messages help you understand why a message wasn't sent successfully. If incoming or outgoing messages are bouncing, check the bounce messages for an SMTP error code that can help you diagnose the problem.
How do I know if my email is not delivered? ›Submit a missing mail search request
To request a search for your missing mailpiece, go to MissingMail.USPS.com and sign in or register. Complete your search request form by providing all the required information and select submit. You will receive confirmation that your search request has been submitted.
What is the SMTP server? ›
The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server is a communication protocol or the technology behind email communication. In other words, SMTP is the protocol that allows you to send and receive emails. Every SMTP server has a unique address and needs to be set up in the mail client that you are using.
Is SMTP better than IMAP? ›As we've discussed throughout this article, IMAP is for receiving email while SMTP is for sending email. So, if you're looking to send email, then you're better off using SMTP over IMAP.
What is the difference between mail and SMTP? ›SMTP is a message transfer protocol, while IMAP is a message access protocol (like POP). So while SMTP sends messages and handles outgoing email, IMAP only retrieves messages and handles incoming email.
How do I enable SMTP for email? ›- Open the Microsoft 365 admin center and go to Users > Active users.
- Select the user, and in the flyout that appears, click Mail.
- In the Email apps section, click Manage email apps.
- Verify the Authenticated SMTP setting: unchecked = disabled, checked = enabled.
Causes for Outlook freezes
You haven't installed the latest patches and updates. It is used simultaneously by another process. Some program that you installed or the associated process conflicts with Outlook. An add-in you installed interferes with Outlook's processes.
Choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app in the dialogue that appears, then click Force Quit. If the app quit, reopen it by clicking Reopen in the dialogue that appears. Restart your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Restart. Make sure the app is compatible with your version of macOS.
How do I run diagnostics on my Mac? ›Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard as your Mac starts up. Release when you see a progress bar or you're asked to choose a language.
Why my mails are not opening? ›Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then using Gmail again to see if that solves the problem.
Why is my Mail not receiving? ›For delayed mail, either domestic or international, call 1-800-275-8777 to file a complaint. Or go to USPS online, choose the tab marked "Where is My Package" or "Where is My Mail." For lost or damaged mail, file a claim for either international mail or domestic mail.
Why can't I get Mail on my laptop? ›Go to Start and open Mail. Select Manage Accounts and select your email account. Select Change mailbox sync settings > Advanced mailbox settings. Confirm that your incoming and outgoing email server addresses and ports are correct.
How do I connect my Mail to my Mac? ›
- From the menu bar in Mail, choose Mail > Add Account.
- Select your email provider from the list, then click Continue.
- Some accounts, such as Google, might ask that you click Open Browser to complete authentication in your web browser.
The usual cause for stuck mail is a large attachment. Watch this video to learn how to send or delete stuck mail. When a message gets stuck in your Outbox, the most likely cause is a large attachment. Click SEND/RECEIVE > Work Offline.
Why is my mail saying connection to server failed? ›A server connection failure means that one or both of the two servers (SMTP for sending, and POP or IMAP server for reading and receiving mail) are offline, or that the network connection between your mail client and the two servers is either misconfigured or disconnected, or possibly that the specified mail server ...
Is mail taking longer than usual 2022? ›In the first quarter of 2022, the average time to deliver a piece of mail or a package was 2.7 days, according to the USPS. First-class mail, which had risen to nearly 90% on-time delivery after standards were eased last fall, fell to 86.7% in this year's first quarter.
How do I find out what's in my mailbox? ›- Go to informeddelivery.usps.com.
- Click on “View My Mail.”
- If you already have a personal usps.com® account, sign in. If not, create an account.
- Once signed in, go to My Preferences. Under Account Management, you will see a box for Informed Delivery. Click “Manage Your Mail.”
- Open Settings.
- Click on Apps.
- Click on Apps & features.
- Select the Mail and Calendar app from the list.
- Click the Advanced options link. Mail app Advanced options link.
- Click the Reset button. Reset Mail app on Windows 10.
- Click the Reset button again to confirm.
Type Microsoft Store App or find it in your application list and then launch the app. Search for "Mail and Calendar" and then select Update.
What is error code 0x80070490? ›The error code 0x80070490 is one such issue that pops up when the users try to add their Gmail account in the Mail app.
Is there another Mail app for Mac? ›Best mail apps for Mac: Postbox
For Mac and Windows, Postbox works with any IMAP or POP account, including Gmail, iCloud, Office 365, and more. The premium app offers one of the fastest email search engines available, making it ideal for finding files, images, and other attachments.
- In the Mail app on your Mac, choose Mail > Settings, then click Rules. ...
- Click Add Rule, then type a name for the rule.
- Indicate whether any or all of the conditions must be true for the rule to be applied to a message.
- Specify the conditions.
Does Mac Mail use IMAP or POP? ›
iCloud Mail uses the IMAP and SMTP standards supported by most modern email client apps. iCloud Mail does not support POP. If you set up an account using iCloud System Preferences or macOS Mail in 10.7. 4 or later, you won't see these settings because they're automatically configured.