PCASME
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Where are my mail rules in macOS Sierra?

Hi,

 

I lost all my Mail rules after upgrade from OSX "El Capitan" to macOS Sierra.

Only appears the "Apple News" rule as shown in the image bellow.

 

Captura de pantalla 2016-09-26 a las 22.56.04.png

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12), null

Posted on Sep 26, 2016 2:20 PM

Close
PCASME

Q: Where are my mail rules in macOS Sierra?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Sep 26, 2016 5:11 PM in response to PCASME
    Level 5 (5,724 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 26, 2016 5:11 PM in response to PCASME

    Rule files are stored in MailData folder in your User's Library/Mail/V4 folder. Depending on what version OS you had installed previously, you could try restoring the rule files from a backup. Previously Mail was stored in V2 and/or V3 folder.

     

    The rules are stored in a property list at: 

    ~/Library/Mail/V4/MailData/SyncedRules.plist

     

    Quit Mail

    Restore plist file

    Restart Mail

    You will have to re-enable each rule. Check folder destination as well.

     

    Show User's Library

     

    The User's Library folder is hidden by default. To unhide: Select the Finder in the Dock. Under Go in the Menu bar > hold down the Option key and you’ll see the Library.

     

    Finding the User Library Folder

    http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/resources/0167/site/chap11.html#FindingtheUserLi braryFolder

  • by PCASME,

    PCASME PCASME Sep 26, 2016 11:19 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 26, 2016 11:19 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    I try to find in Time Machine backup a previous version and, as you say, there is a V3 folder but unfortunately in all the backups the SyncedRules.plist file have the same data as in V4 (Only the "Apple news" rule).

     

    Any other suggestion?

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Sep 27, 2016 10:26 AM in response to PCASME
    Level 5 (5,724 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 10:26 AM in response to PCASME

    You'll have to go further back in time to find a plist file with all the rules. Otherwise you'll have to recreate the rules.

     

    Personally, I have found that not only in Mail, but in Entourage and Outlook that rules don't often update or upgrade well. I always make a screenshot of my rules so I can easily recreate them manually.

  • by PCASME,

    PCASME PCASME Sep 27, 2016 1:22 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 1:22 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    Thanks again for your reply.

     

    I searched enough back to find the right file but no success.

     

    I know that the solution of replicate the rules it's there although the purpose of the question was precisely to avoid this. Not because I do not remember my rules but because it is what is expected of, the supposed, robust and reliable system that handles my "so expensive" computer.

     

    I'm relatively new in the Apple/mac world and I've already fought before with "other systems" and, although it's a great computer and a great operating system, sincerely I would expect more. I guess I had another vision of what was a mac.

     

    BTW, sorry but I find no legitimate to lean on the failure of others systems to excuse this.

    We don't talk about other systems, we talk about macOS Sierra.

     

    Any way, thanks for your time and show possible solutions to my problem. Great contribution.

     

     

    Greetings.

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Sep 27, 2016 1:34 PM in response to PCASME
    Level 5 (5,724 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 1:34 PM in response to PCASME

    This is not directed to you in particular, but no matter what you paid for you computer, the person in the chair that is using the computer can totally mess it up where it's not working.

     

    I suggest you try to learn about the Mac and how it works. This will go a long way to having a successful experience. I  see many switchers (former PC users) try to do the same types of things on the Mac and the results are not always pretty.

     

    Rules in an email client no matter what version OS, have always been problematic when upgrading. Mail in Sierra had some major changes. For some users this has resulted in a multitude of problems.

     

    I would advise you that in the future when a new version of the OS is released that you wait until it's a bit more mature before upgrading and most of the kinks have been ironed out. Learn from the mistakes others have made by reading the forums. Number one mistake is not making a bootable backup first. Had you made a clone backup, you could have simply booted back into your clone and worked on your data before it was backed up. You would have been able to see your rules to make screen shots. If you were totally unsatisfied with Sierra you could have cloned back and waited for a later update to do the move to Sierra.

     

    Create a Clone backup:

     

    A clone is an exact bootable copy of your internal drive. Unlike standard copying of all files to another drive, the clone software copies hidden files along with other in-use files that are not available  when you copy over files to another drive.

     

    If you don't have a clone backup it's time to start. Just like a seat belt and an air bag protect you in different ways when driving, you need both Time Machine and a clone for full protection.

     

    Software used to Clone:

     

    SuperDuper! http://www.shirt-pocket.com/

    CCC http://www.bombich.com/download.html

     

    Again this is general advice and not directed at you.

  • by PCASME,

    PCASME PCASME Sep 27, 2016 3:19 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 3:19 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    Sorry if my comments did you think offensive but it was not a criticism about your answers or advice. I just made a small review about Sierra but you're right I should have expected that the system would have been more stable.

     

    Again, thanks for all your advice and especially about the clone backup and the software references. It is a very good option.

     

     

    Greetings.

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Sep 27, 2016 3:21 PM in response to PCASME
    Level 5 (5,724 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 3:21 PM in response to PCASME

    I tried to be clear that this was not directed at you personally. I was offering some general advice. Sorry you took it as personal.

  • by PCASME,

    PCASME PCASME Sep 27, 2016 3:37 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 3:37 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    I'm not absolutely took your answers in the personal way. Simply I was a little bit angry about this concrete problem and may be my comment was not as correct as it would have had to be. Sorry for that.