Q: Search Time Machine Backups for emails
I have a need to search my archived Backup files for a particular email. This backup is on an external harddrive but not in active use at this time but have connected it to my system for purposes of attempting to locate this email and the possibility of recovering other stored emails with the hope of adding them into my active files.
My present system setup is: Internal HD: OS and active storage, (OS X 10.8.5
External 3T HD: Active ™ Backups,
External 4T HD: archive ™ Backups.
Since I am unsure how Mail stores emails, I do not know what file(s) to look for on the Time Machine Archives OR if there is some way I can use the Time Machine application to access that file.
Is there any way to access this archived files?
PLEASE, do not address anything concerning upgrading to El Capitan.
Sparkgapper
iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), DualBoot with El Capitan
Posted on Jun 17, 2016 7:03 AM
Mail is stored in your user Library. To access the older backups via Time Machine, you will need to make that backup the backup in System Preferences/Time Machine. When done, reset the disk to the current disk.
In Finder hold down the option/alt key while selecting the Go menu item. Select Library/Mail/V-2.
If you want to make your user library permanently visible, run the below command in Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
chflags nohidden ~/Library/
You will need to do that after any updates.
Posted on Jun 18, 2016 3:54 PM