mail keeps moving text around and repeating sentences

This is wild. Are you actually not allowed to mention other Mail clients on mac forums? This is the kind of thing that turns me away from Apple.

Of course, NOTHING turns me away from apple like a new OS breaking one of the most basic functions I have used computers for FOR DECADES without an immediate fix. Like, how does Apple expect professionals to buy their computers when they release an update that just breaks email and makes me look stupid to my coworkers?

Known issue introduced into Mail with Sonoma 14.3

At the moment we can only suggest a workaround by preparing the e-mail in a Text Based Editor

Then, copy and past into a blank e-mail

Not doubt with all the possible reports set to Apple, it maybe fixed in some updated version of Sonoma

Just when that may be, sorry only Apple would know.

I've had the same problem since sometime in January 2024. The only fix I've found is to draft the email and not worry when stuff moves or one sentence overwrites another. When you are finished writing the email, select your text, copy the selection, and paste over the selected text. For some unknown reason, the text returns to what you wrote without errors.

If your text becomes such a mess while drafting that you have trouble finishing the composition, do the same copy/paste routine, and then keep composing. Sometimes I do this multiple times in one email.

Also try to "force quit" Mail and restart the computer. That seems to temporarily fix--or at least reduce--the problem, although it will come back.

Bill

What seems to "fix" it for me is adjusting the size of the draft email window. For example, if I start typing a sentence which Mail then changes automatically, I simply stop typing for a moment and then adjust the window's size slightly. This then causes the text to refresh back to what I was actually typing instead of what it tried to change it to.

Interesting "fix." And maybe you have a clue to help the Apple coders who seem to need all the help they can get. I'll try it - having trusted myself to write coherent emails for years, I don't always review before I send out. I wonder how many garbled emails I've sent in the past month or so. The problem I'm having with Mail is that not only do sentences from previous paragraphs show up repeatedly and apparently randomly, they overwrite text I want to be there. Then I have to reconstruct everything. And in doing the reconstruction, more errors appear. Very strange indeed.

OliviaM_86 wrote:

Writing emails in another platform IS NOT THE FIX APPLE!!!!!

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Well presented and hope OP has a look at your work 😎

In friendly terms.

It is very well presented and in a logical manner

Though, sometimes this format can be misunderstood as possibly be a ChatBot type of formatting.

This is Not to say it is, but just saying

I'm testing another email client. I've always used and liked Apple Mail, until recently.

Next destination: [Other mail client]. I'm also waiting for [Other email service] to finish their desktop client. Wish me luck.

[Edited by Moderator]

I am having the same issue. When I type, the previous paragraph or a sentence from the previous paragraph is pasted onto the current text. I thought this was a setting, but it's the most annoying bug I have ever encountered.

I am glad I found this forum because I thought I was going CRAZY.

For reference I am currently on macOS Sonoma 14.3 (23D56), 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9.

I hope this gets fixed soon and can anyone confirm if this happens on non-intel processing macs. Curious if the software is different.

I'm having the same issue, it takes me three times as long to write an email in Apple Mail because my text keeps reformatting. It's extremely frustrating when writing long client emails to read back and see that sentences are being duplicated multiple times and then I have to delete multiple times, and re write.

Writing emails in another platform IS NOT THE FIX APPLE!!!!!

And yes, I've already reported this obvious Apple bug via Feedback.

My experience is that this bad bug was patched as of macOS 14.4. I haven’t seen it since.

Therefore, I suggest updating macOS. It continues to be gone in the recent macOS 14.5 update.

1. Text Encoding and Formatting:

Sometimes, issues with how text is encoded or formatted can lead to unexpected reformatting or jumbling of content within emails. This can be especially noticeable when pasting text from different sources or when using special characters.

2. Compatibility Settings:

Depending on the email client you're using, there may be compatibility settings that affect how emails are displayed and edited. It could be worth reviewing these settings to see if they are contributing to the issue.

3. Rebuild Mailbox:

Rebuilding the mailbox, as you've already tried, is a good first step. However, you might also consider resetting Mail's preferences to default to rule out any specific setting causing these issues.

Potential Solutions:

1. Plain Text Mode:

Consider composing your emails in plain text mode, especially for critical or official correspondences. This can help reduce the likelihood of unexpected text formatting issues, since plain text doesn't carry any formatting information to interfere with the message content.

2. Update Mail App:

Make sure your Mail app is up to date. Software updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that could address unexpected behavior within the application.

3. Alternative Email Client:

In the short term, while you're troubleshooting, you might consider using an alternative email client to see if the issue persists. There are several third-party email clients that provide additional features and might offer a more stable text editing experience.

4. Copy Paste Method:

When copying and pasting text into your emails, try using the "Paste and Match Style" option, if available. This can help ensure that any copied text doesn't carry over unwanted formatting or encoding issues.

5. Contact Apple Support:

If the issue continues to persist despite these efforts, and especially if it appears to be a system-wide issue rather than being specific to a single email account, reaching out to Apple Support could provide valuable insights on troubleshooting and potential fixes related to the Mail app on macOS 14.3.

I hope these suggestions help iron out those pesky formatting glitches in your emails!

I empathize with your experience. At this point I'm stuck with Mac OS because of the software I need to do the work I do, but because of exactly the reasons you mentioned, I've just decided to not give apple any more of my money. I buy all of my apple accessories used through third party retailers, and I just replaced my 2014 MBP with a 2023 MBP refurbished by a third party. Feels great, no issues yet at all, and thousands of dollars saved.