Deleted IMAP messages on iPhone aren't deleted on computer

Question

Deleted IMAP messages on iPhone aren't deleted on computer

I have two Exchange Server accounts. I use Entourage and Outlook (plus a Treo 750) to access them using DAV and MAPI respectively, and everything works great. If I get a message and delete it on the Treo, it's deleted from the server account, and that change syncs to the other clients.

I defined two "Exchange" accounts on the iPhone, and mail synchronizes to the device normally. However, when I delete messages from the iPhone, they don't ever disappear from the server or the other computers. It's as though the iPhone is hiding the message but then not deleting it from the server. I'm having the same issue with moved messages, which don't actually move to the selected destination folder.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

iPhone 8GB, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 12, 2007 11:52 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 12, 2007 3:18 PM in response to Paul Robichaux

Yes. Same problem. I've posted the issue and I have not found a solution.

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Answer 2

Jul 12, 2007 3:24 PM in response to Paul Robichaux

Same here...

I have imap for exchange setup on my iphone and my home computer...when I delete on my iphone it draws a line through it on my home computer...but my work outlook it is still in my inbox...

Not sure how to auto delete off my work computer and have it do the same on my home computer....

when I delete off my home it does delete off the iphone.

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Answer 3

Jul 13, 2007 6:27 AM in response to Paul Robichaux

It turns out that this is an iPhone Mail "feature" (and I use the term loosely). Check the Advanced settings for your account and make sure the "Remove" item is set to "After one day". (For more explanation, see http://www.robichaux.net/blog/2007/07/iphonewont_delete_imapmessages.php)

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Answer 4

Jul 13, 2007 6:40 AM in response to Paul Robichaux

Tried that and still doesn't delete it after one day, which is unacceptable anyway. It should delete it from Exchange immediately (at the next sync).

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Answer 5

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Jul 13, 2007 6:45 AM in response to Paul Robichaux

Paul Robichaux,

The iPhone follows the IMAP protocol, and marks message for deletion, instead of deleting them immediately. Some email clients leave messages that are marked for deletion visible in the mailbox, but usually have an option to hide those messages. They will stay in the marked for deletion status until they are removed from the server, or a mail client tells the server to expunge deleted messages.

Mail.app on Mac OS X has the option of making them visible under the View menu. In Entourage the option to hide them is in preferences.

This article discusses one reason having them marked for deletion might be useful, if for example you just deleted an important document, email with pictures of relatives, etc:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mail/2.0/en/ml602.html

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

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Answer 6

Jul 13, 2007 6:54 AM in response to Nathan C

Thanks, Nathan. I'm well familiar with IMAP implementations; I just couldn't figure out how to make the iPhone expunge messages. (And in fact, I'm still not sure I've found it given that the messages I've been deleting aren't gone yet!)

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Answer 7

g04

Level 1

0 points

Jul 13, 2007 7:09 AM in response to Paul Robichaux

I have another question one which has little to do with your question or comment, but i am hopeful you can assist me. I have not been successful setting up an Exchange account, pop accounts no problem, IMAP is enabled on our server, Syncing g has been no problem, I have addresses and my calendar just can't hook up outlook 2007 (PC). I do have a Mac with Entourage which associated with personal account and didn't want to confuse work with personal. Any helpful ideas on Outlook to to iphone setup? Thanks.

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Answer 8

Jul 13, 2007 9:09 AM in response to Paul Robichaux

I have a solution that works (although not ideal) assuming you are using Outlook for your Exchange email when at your desktop/laptop.

1. You need to create a 2nd account in Outlook...an IMAP account using the same parameters you used when creating the IMAP account on your iPhone.
2. When you log into Outlook, first go to the IMAP Inbox and select "Purge Items Marked for Deletion" from the "Edit" menu. That deletes everything you had deleted on the iPhone. This menu item is only available when you have the IMAP Inbox selected.
3. You can then work as usual in Outlook...using your Exchange inbox or the IMAP inbox.

Not ideal, but works while we wait for ActiveSync or a more complete solution from Apple.

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