lsfinn

Q: Sierra & Smart Mailboxes

I've updated from Yosemite to Sierra (10.12) on two workstations and a laptop. I use Mac Mail to manage five different imap mail accounts. Since the upgrade, Mail on all three systems has been behaving in the same, unpredictable, manner:

* Smart mailboxes do not capture all they should: i.e., a smart box setup to show all unread messages generally does not show any when there are many. Similarly for a smart mailbox set-up to show messages received today, etc.

* The "Inbox" folder (i.e., the envelope holding all the individual account mailboxes) does not show the content of all the individual inboxes. It is unpredictable which mails from which boxes will not be shown.

* Smart mailbox folder badges do not update: the number of new mails shown in a badge does not correspond to the content of the box and does not change when mails in the box are accessed. The badge will change if I double click the box to show the filter then click "ok"; however, the new badge will not necessarily be correct.

* The "Inbox" folder folder badge generally does not show the sum of the unread messages badges in the individual inboxes, the sum of the actual number of the unread messages in the individual inboxes, or the number of unread messages actually shown when the "Inbox" folder is selected.

 

Is anyone having anything like these problems?

 

Can anyone offer suggestions on how to fix the problem if it is just "me"?

 

Thanks,

 

Sam

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 8:37 AM

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Q: Sierra & Smart Mailboxes

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dianeoforegon,Apple recommended

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Oct 2, 2016 2:13 PM in response to lsfinn
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 2:13 PM in response to lsfinn

    I suspect this is a Spotlight issue. However just resetting Spotlight might not fix the problem. Let's eliminate problems in your User's folder to start.

     

    Try setting up a test account, see if the problem's global, or just related to your account.

     

    CREATE A NEW USER

    Go to System Preferences --> Create a New User in Users & Groups.

    Switch to the New User by logging out/in or use Fast User Switching.

    You can skip signing in with your Apple ID unless you need to test iCloud Mail.

     

    Only default Apple apps will  be in the Dock in the new User. Go to Applications to open other apps you might want to test.

     

    Let me know the results of the test.

  • by lsfinn,

    lsfinn lsfinn Oct 12, 2016 5:57 AM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 12, 2016 5:57 AM in response to dianeoforegon

    Dear Diane Of Oregon,

     

    Thanks much for your response, and your patience in waiting for mine.

     

    I've done as you suggested. It appears that mail and smart mailboxes >are< working correctly in the new account, even as they continue not to work correctly on my "real" account on the same and other systems.

     

    In previous attempts to fix my mail problems I've tried (to no avail)

    * Selecting all mailboxes and executing the toolbar command  Mailbox>Rebuild

    * Executing sqlite3 ~/Library/Mail/V4/MailData/Envelope\ Index vacuum

     

    Thanks much for your help!

     

    Sam

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Oct 12, 2016 10:30 AM in response to lsfinn
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 12, 2016 10:30 AM in response to lsfinn

    1) Backup Data

     

    Do you have POP accounts or do you have messages stored under "On My Mac”?

    • POP accounts do not sync with the server. You need to export the data in the default folders (Inbox, Drafts, Sent, Trash, Junk) and the local "On My Mac" folders.
    • IMAP and Exchange sync all folders with server.

     

    Note: in Sierra, I was able to select all my local "On My Mac" folders to export. However, depending on how many folders and subfolders you have you might have to make multiple selections to export. Verify that all folders exported.

     

    Export mailboxes

    • Select one or more mailboxes, then choose Mailbox > Export Mailbox.
    • Choose a folder or create a new folder, then click Choose.
    • Mail exports the mailboxes as .mbox packages.

     

     

    2) Revert to default Mail settings

     

    With Mail quit….

    • Go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts.
    • Uncheck Mail for each account.

     

    Go to the User’s Library folder (see below)

    • Scroll down to Containers. Delete the com.apple.mail folder.
    • Scroll down to Mail folder. Rename MailXXX. Delete this folder but do not empty the trash.
    • Scroll down to Preferences. If you find any com.apple.mail.plist files, delete these
    • Restart your Mac

     

    3)  Setup Mail

     

    Go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts.

    • Check Mail for your default account. I suggest only adding one account at a time and letting it sync before adding other accounts. Note: Some accounts will require you to set the default Drafts, Sent, Junk and Deleted Items folders.
    • Open Mail and verify in Connection Doctor that you are seeing green symbols to show you are connected. Add password if needed.
    • Verify in User’s Library, that a new Mail folder has been created. In V4, do you see alphanumeric folder for your account? You should see one folder for your account and one folder for the local "On My Mac" folders that contains the Outbox. Do you see a Mail Data account.

     

    Import any malboxes for POP and local "On My Mac" folders.

     

    Import mailboxes

    • Choose File > Import Mailboxes. Select Apple Mail.
    • Navigate to the folder you created when you exported your data.
    • Reorganize the imported messages, if you like.
      The messages are in a new mailbox called Import (toggle open to view) in the Mail sidebar. You can drag folders and messages from the Import mailbox to new or existing mailboxes, then delete the Import mailbox.

     

    Show Library:

    The User's Library folder is hidden by default. To unhide:

    Option 1)

    Select the Finder in the Dock.

    Under Go in the Menu bar > hold down the Option key and you’ll see the Library.

     

    Option 2)

    Select the Home folder in the sidebar.

    Under View in the Menu bar select Show view Options.

    Check Library.

     

    Show Library.png