JamieinFrance
Level 1 (9 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Mail deleting certain new emails on mac but not iPhone?

Hi,

 

I'm running into a weird problem; the Mail on my Mac appears to be deleting random new emails messages.  I see the messages arrive on the pop up growl screen, I click the message, see it for a brief second, then it is completely deleted from the inbox (without my help!)  This also appears to be happening without the aid of the Growl pop up, i.e. the email simply disappears from my inbox (or doesn't get there in the first place).

 

I know I get the email as it also arrives on my iPhone 6, and stays on the phone even after being deleted from the Mac.  On one occasion, I re-sent the email to myself from the phone, it appeared on the Mac, then disappeared again!  Also, as mentioned, the emails being deleted, appear to be completely random.

 

Running OS X El Capitan

 

Any ideas anyone?/ It's really frustrating.

 

Thanks

Jamie

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 9, 2016 1:48 PM

by Linc Davis,Apple recommended
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (207,941 points)
Applications
A:

Here are some possible reasons why this might happen.

1. Junk filtering, or a Mail rule that you created, is deleting the messages.

2. Mail is being deleted on another device that synchronizes with the same IMAP or Exchange account. The account may be accessed using both the IMAP and POP protocols, which could happen with some mail servers. POP access could cause mail to be deleted from the inbox. Make sure that no other mail client is set up to access the account with POP.

3. Someone else has access to the account and is deleting messages.

4. Mail is being redirected or filtered on the server. For instance, there are settings in the Mail web application on icloud.com to forward incoming mail and delete it after forwarding. If you've ruled out #1 and you have control over such behavior on the server, disable it and see whether there's a change.

5. Some mail servers have a setting to delete mail automatically under certain conditions. You would access that setting through the server's web interface, not through Mail.

6. In the settings for the IMAP account in Mail, the field labeled IMAP Path Prefix in the Advanced tab should be left blank unless a server administrator tells you otherwise.

7. You installed a third-party "plugin," such as "MailButler," that changes the behavior of Mail. Remove the plugin(s) according to the developers' instructions and test. If testing shows that a plugin is causing the problem, but you still want to use it, refer to its developer for support or an update.

Posted on May 9, 2016 2:58 PM

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JamieinFrance

Q: Mail deleting certain new emails on mac but not iPhone?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,Apple recommended

    Linc Davis Linc Davis May 9, 2016 2:58 PM in response to JamieinFrance
    Level 10 (207,941 points)
    Applications
    May 9, 2016 2:58 PM in response to JamieinFrance

    Here are some possible reasons why this might happen.

    1. Junk filtering, or a Mail rule that you created, is deleting the messages.

    2. Mail is being deleted on another device that synchronizes with the same IMAP or Exchange account. The account may be accessed using both the IMAP and POP protocols, which could happen with some mail servers. POP access could cause mail to be deleted from the inbox. Make sure that no other mail client is set up to access the account with POP.

    3. Someone else has access to the account and is deleting messages.

    4. Mail is being redirected or filtered on the server. For instance, there are settings in the Mail web application on icloud.com to forward incoming mail and delete it after forwarding. If you've ruled out #1 and you have control over such behavior on the server, disable it and see whether there's a change.

    5. Some mail servers have a setting to delete mail automatically under certain conditions. You would access that setting through the server's web interface, not through Mail.

    6. In the settings for the IMAP account in Mail, the field labeled IMAP Path Prefix in the Advanced tab should be left blank unless a server administrator tells you otherwise.

    7. You installed a third-party "plugin," such as "MailButler," that changes the behavior of Mail. Remove the plugin(s) according to the developers' instructions and test. If testing shows that a plugin is causing the problem, but you still want to use it, refer to its developer for support or an update.

  • by JamieinFrance,

    JamieinFrance JamieinFrance May 9, 2016 11:23 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 9, 2016 11:23 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi Linc,

     

    Many thanks for your reply.  I've gone through it point by point and it doesn't look like it's solved, unfortunately.

    1. The emails aren't in junk, (lots of other stuff is, but not the mails I'm looking for), No rules set up on Mail.

    2. I've got my mail account set up on the iMac and my iPhone only.  The mails are still on the iPhone, but are disappearing from the iMac.  Both set up as IMAP accounts

    3. These emails are disappearing right in front of my eyes, I literally see them disappear! proof - gone, when I'm sat down at my desk, looking at them on my iMac.

    4. I've got webmail via GoDaddy, just checked on that, and the missing emails are there, so nothing to do with the server, as far as I can see.

    5. IMAP path prefix is clear

    6. No third party mail plug-ins at all.

     

    I only noticed this after I upgraded to El Capitan - although I can't be sure it wasn't happening before.

     

    Any other thoughts?

     

    Thanks again for your time.

     

    Jamie

  • by Linc Davis,Apple recommended

    Linc Davis Linc Davis May 10, 2016 5:01 AM in response to JamieinFrance
    Level 10 (207,941 points)
    Applications
    May 10, 2016 5:01 AM in response to JamieinFrance

    Please back up all data, then rebuild the mailbox.

  • by Phil Brown2,

    Phil Brown2 Phil Brown2 Aug 15, 2016 6:49 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (69 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 15, 2016 6:49 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I know this is old, but I am not finding much on this topic. This is happening to me. It's got nothing to do with any of the fixes you listed. I have rebuilt my Inbox every time this happens, but the mail is gone, from my iPhone, from iCloud, and from Mail. As an experienced Mac user, I know flaky behavior when I see it, and the only conclusion I come to is that this is just a problem with El Capitan Mail. I am still looking for solutions, but I don't expect to find any. I will post back here if I fix this. But it's really a bad thing.