how to stop mail from keeping copied attachmetns in Mail Downloads folder?

This occupies too much space on Mac. How can I stop this? Why can't Mail app on Mac be like gmail that only keeping the attachments on the servers but not devices and download the attachments when users need to and also not automatically saving the attachments on some hidden folders?

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 8:41 AM

Similar questions

How to send large attachments in email? What's the best/easiest way to send emails with large attachments? I'm using Mac Mail 16.0 and gmail as my internet account which limits email size to 25mb. I have shared files through google drive and iCloud which is kind of awkward to do and files shared in iCloud seem to affect the way I can manage them on in my desktop apps, like when I share a folder of word documents, I cannot rename them unless I unshare the folder. And what is this game center account? Can I delete it? I don't game. [Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]
4032 9
Mail attachments remain after message deleted When an attachment is opened in Mail, a copy(?) is stored in a folder called Mail Downloads. I discovered that there are dozens of "former" attachments still in this file for emails I've deleted. (I also found a few "former" attachments in the Mail application folder itself.) Big Sur 11.6.2 I tested this by sending myself a message with an attachment. I opened the message and opened and closed the attachment. I deleted the message. A copy of the attachment was still on the Mail Downloads folder. Can I delete the contents of the entire Mail Downloads folder without deleting the attachments of those emails still on mail? If so, what is the purpose of the copies in the Mail Downloads folder? If not, is there some way to re-synch the Mail Downloads folder to contain just those attachments for which messages exist? In future, should I delete the attachments before I delete the message in mail? How will this delete the copy in Mail Downloads?
2286 2
Apple Mail - 'remove attachments' is greyed out I'm using Apple Mail (16.0) on a MacBook Air (M1) running Ventura 13.6. The option to 'remove attachments' under Message in Mail is permanently greyed out and trying to delete attachments results in the email being deleted. I sometimes get emails with quite large graphic attachments and purely to save space I would like to delete the attachment but retain the email. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? Thanks in advance.
2507 7

1 reply

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Aug 8, 2020 9:06 AM in response to Edward_H_Nation

Hello Edward_H_Nation,

We understand that you're trying to optimize your storage, particularly in your Mail app. We'd be happy to point you in the right direction for a resolution. Check out our page here: How to free up storage space on your Mac

This page will walk you through all you need to know, but there is a section in particular that may help. Under "Optimize Storage" you'll see that once your storage is optimized attachments will no longer automatically download. We hope that this helps.

Take care.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

how to stop mail from keeping copied attachmetns in Mail Downloads folder?

Welcome to Apple Support Community

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

Learn more Sign up