Mail IMAP txt Log too big, Catalina 10.15.2

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Level 1

9 points

Mail IMAP txt Log too big, Catalina 10.15.2

I had 790GB of "other" files on my HD on my iMac (Retina 5K, 27", Late 2015) using Catalina 10.15.2. My Mac started to show messages warning disk almost full and the Mail application stopped working (Home folder full, it showed in a message). After days of trying to figure it out why, I ended up finding that the txt file that keeps the Logs of Mail was more than 700GB, which is absurd. This file is located in Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail and then the IMAP txt file in question. I had copied the file in an external HD to review it later and erased all logs (others where also unusual big but not to that extreme). When I opened the application Mail again, the IMAP txt file was immediately 350MB and a day later was almost 2GB. I appreciate any help on this. Thanks in advance.

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

leroydouglas

Community+ 2025

Level 10

198,300 points

Jan 22, 2020 9:03 AM in response to NARVAL

NARVAL wrote:

I ended up finding that the txt file that keeps the Logs of Mail was more than 700GB, which is absurd.

I have done both. I had used Safe Mode and used Mail in another User account. When on Safe Mode the file stayed smaller in size but when back to normal mode same problem happens. The log txt file increases its size up to 2GB in one day. Using another User account didn't solve the problem either.

This is not a new issue, however— it is is a record—I have seen anywhere from 12 GB to 342 GB of logs here.

You would be safe to delete all those .txt logs. (used for diagnostics only)

From the Finder>Go>Go To Folder, copy&paste:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail

*Disable log connection activity:

From your Mail>Window>Connection Doctor>

"Log Connection Activity" is recommended only for troubleshooting.

Don't forget to empty your trash, reboot if necessary to recover your HD/ SDD free space

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Answer 2

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

Jan 16, 2020 9:36 AM in response to NARVAL

Hello NARVAL.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

If I'm understanding correctly, there is a large amount of storage accumulating in Mail IMAP txt log, and after copying the contents to an HD, and erasing all logs, it is still compiling at a fast rate. I will be glad to assist.

I would suggest starting up in safe mode to see if the issue persists:

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

Next, I would also test in another user account:

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Let us know how it goes.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Jan 20, 2020 9:43 AM in response to NARVAL

Hi NARVAL.

Thanks for following up, and trying those steps.

Next, I would recommend contacting Apple Support. Here's how:

Contact Apple for support and service

Cheers.

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Answer 4

NARVAL Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 20, 2020 8:57 AM in response to Leanne_68

Hello Starr.C,

Thank you for your reply. I have done both. I had used Safe Mode and used Mail in another User account. When on Safe Mode the file stayed smaller in size but when back to normal mode same problem happens. The log txt file increases its size up to 2GB in one day. Using another User account didn't solve the problem either.

That's how it went.

Thanks and cheers.

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