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.

phlyd Author

Level 1

10 points

Preparing to move messages

Was there ever a solution to mail being stuck on 'preparing to move messages'?

MacBook, macOS 10.13

Posted on Feb 4, 2020 8:30 AM

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,423 points

Posted on Feb 4, 2020 3:21 PM

Assorted cures.

Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode?

Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

Assuming all your Mail is IMAP & not POP, highlight Inbox, from Mail's Mailbox menu choose Rebuild.

View in context

Similar questions

5 replies

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,423 points

Feb 4, 2020 3:21 PM in response to phlyd

Assorted cures.

Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode?

Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

Assuming all your Mail is IMAP & not POP, highlight Inbox, from Mail's Mailbox menu choose Rebuild.

BDAqua

Level 10

245,423 points

Feb 22, 2020 8:48 AM in response to phlyd

Did you get it fixed?

phlyd Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 23, 2020 3:15 AM in response to BDAqua

Yes, followed advice above!

BDAqua

Level 10

245,423 points

Feb 23, 2020 4:09 AM in response to phlyd

Great news! :)

-Dad

Level 1

12 points

Mar 29, 2020 7:42 PM in response to BDAqua

The problem remains after booting up ins safe mode.

What can I try next? (This is a very new MacBook Pro)

Preparing to move messages