You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mail was unable to open this mailbox on the server “p28-imap.mail.me.com”. The server returned the error: Mailbox does not exist

I'm getting this message when I launch Mail:


After click on the OK label, themessage reappears. At this point the Mail app is now unresponsive, so I have to force close it.


How do I correct?

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 7, 2019 8:58 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 11, 2020 4:46 AM

Apple introduced this error in November - that is why so many are seeing it.


Regarding what was put out before:


  1. In the Mail app  on your Mac, select a mailbox in the sidebar.
  2. Choose Mailbox > Rebuild.


It would have been much more clear to state:


  1. In the Mail app In the Mail app  on your Mac, select the mailbox(s) listed in the sidebar you wish to rebuild. Hold shift key down over mailbox names to select more than one if desired.
  2. Then go to top of the Mail app option (at TOP of screen not sidebar) and choose Mailbox, then select the option > Rebuild. This will rebuild the mailboxes you have selected in the sidebar


13 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 11, 2020 4:46 AM in response to sombrero peak

Apple introduced this error in November - that is why so many are seeing it.


Regarding what was put out before:


  1. In the Mail app  on your Mac, select a mailbox in the sidebar.
  2. Choose Mailbox > Rebuild.


It would have been much more clear to state:


  1. In the Mail app In the Mail app  on your Mac, select the mailbox(s) listed in the sidebar you wish to rebuild. Hold shift key down over mailbox names to select more than one if desired.
  2. Then go to top of the Mail app option (at TOP of screen not sidebar) and choose Mailbox, then select the option > Rebuild. This will rebuild the mailboxes you have selected in the sidebar


Nov 11, 2019 7:03 PM in response to sombrero peak

Hey sombrero peak,


If I understand correctly, you received a message that a specific mailbox does not exist. Did you move the messages and then receive the error, or just receive the error without moving any messages? I would recommend you use this article to help troubleshoot the issue.


Rebuild mailboxes in Mail on Mac


Please don't hesitate to let us know if the steps resolved your issue or if you need additional assistance.


Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a good one.

Jan 13, 2020 12:31 AM in response to PutridoMela

I tried this


  1. In the Mail app In the Mail app  on your Mac, select the mailbox(s) listed in the sidebar you wish to rebuild. Hold shift key down over mailbox names to select more than one if desired.
  2. Then go to top of the Mail app option (at TOP of screen not sidebar) and choose Mailbox, then select the option > Rebuild. This will rebuild the mailboxes you have selected in the sidebar


but it doesn't seem to be able to finish the process because the problem occurs in the middle of rebuilding the mailbox and seems to stop the process.

Mail was unable to open this mailbox on the server “p28-imap.mail.me.com”. The server returned the error: Mailbox does not exist

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.