Mail stuck in "copying messages" - solved

I also have this problem periodically, usually when copying messages to gmail.

Instead of deleting the problematic gmail account, simply disabling it (Preferences -> Accounts -> [gmail account] -> uncheck 'Enable this account'), quitting Mail.app, reopening Mail.app, and re-enabling the gmail account solves the problem for me. This has the advantage of not needing to download all of the messages from gmail as is necessary if you delete the account entirely.

Cheers!

Hi Barry,

Go to your settings

Settings>Internet accounts>Problematic account

Then click on the account that is giving you the problem, you'll see all the accounts lighted up (or selectable) and then click the minus sign to delete it. It would remove all the related information and then you can add the same account later on. I restarted my computer after this step, and added the same account after it booted up.

I hope this helps.

:)

Antonio

Hey Barry,

My understanding is that when you delete your account from Mail it doesn't do it to the account itself, rather removes that specific account from your computer but does not delete it from your native program or webmail. If you're unsure about this procedure I would suggest make a copy of the inbox or messages you have in another location (outside of your account) before deleting that specific account.

I'm attaching an article you can read through as well.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mail/mail35803/mac

Good luck Barry and I hope you solve your Mail issue soon.

All the best,

Antonio

I had the same issue. Until I deleted the account and then reinstated it the problem persisted.

Good luck Barry.

Cheers!

Antonio

Hi Brian,

Spot on. Thanks for your help and for debugging this issue as it's really annoying and my processors were getting crazy as well with fan usage and so on. The steps you provided worked for me on my Gmail accounts as I identified the account creating this Copying behaviour. Have a great day!

Kind Regards,

Antonio

Thanks for that information, very useful as I have the same problem. I have identified the account in question using your method.

I am not too familiar with the intricacies of Mail so please bear with me ... how do I actually delete the account, and if I do will I lose all my emails (some 20,000) or will they simply download again when I create a new account? (It is an IMAP account.)

I should mention that I do seem to have all my emails in my ALL MAIL account as well.

Thanks again!

Hi Antonio,

Thanks very much for that information. I am still concerned about losing the 20,000 emails in the Inbox if I delete the account. As I say it's an IMAP account. Will they repopulate the new account when I create it? If not, how can I save the emails for future use on my iMac, before I delete the account? Will they remain in my All Mail?

I am on Catalina 10.15.6.

Thanks again for the help so far!

Barry

Thanks for that, I will look at it. I had thought to try to do a Rebuild but when I click "Rebuild" nothing appears to happen: Mail appears to be too busy "copying messages"! Activity monitor shows CPU at 115%. (It has been as high as 150%.)

Thanks again

Barry

Hello Brian:

Thanks for the fix but the problem comes back. I have 245,000 emails archived online so no issues deleting the problematic account and recreating it. The problem is the time it takes to sync again and that as soon as I start working it gets stock once more. I've also removed the Index files and after re importing all the emails the problem starts again.

I wish there is a real fix to this problem.

Kind regards,

Alberto

Hi Barry,

Glad to hear it worked! Sometimes is nerve racking but... it's worth it

:)

In my case it has been smooth since I have done this patch, I hope yours does the same!!!

Cheers,

Antonio

I was reluctant to do it, but only way to solve the problem once and for all. Thanks again!

Hi Brian,

Great fix. Worked first time for me as well.

Many thanks, Craig :-)

Worked like a charm! Great fix. I was going nuts with the "copying message 1 of 1" jamming up my email like crazy. Thank you!!!

Brian,

Thanks for sharing. Saved me time you did.

Hi Brian,

I had this same issue and it was driving me crazy. Your solution worked for me as well. Thank you!

-Mike