apple mail freeze on iMac

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Level 1

8 points

apple mail freeze on iMac

For a year or more the Apple Mail app on my iMac using Big Sur freezes. It started freezing long before Big Sur so I cannot blame it on the update.

No beachballs just freezing when I delete something or click to see other emails. I need to click on a browser or other app and then go back to the Apple Mail app to unfreeze it.

Today, I decided to delete as much older mail as possible. I clicked on the "sent mail" folder and the app froze before I could do anything. I clicked away from the app and came back tp unfreeze it.

None of this happens on my MacBook M1, iPad Gen4, or iphone XI Pro.......only on the iMac which I use the app in the classic reading pane on bottom.

Thank you

Elliot

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Oct 5, 2021 12:26 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 6, 2021 11:06 AM in response to elazarus

Hey elazrus,

It sounds like you're having an issue with the Mail app freezing on your Mac. We can understand wanting to get that resolved. We want to help.

We'd recommend starting your Mac up into safe mode to see if the same issue occurs with the Mail app there. This article explains how to start to safe mode: Start up your Mac in safe mode

Thanks!

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Answer 2

Oct 6, 2021 11:22 AM in response to elazarus

Hey elazarus,

Thanks for those details.

We'd recommend removing and re-adding the accounts you have set up in Mail to see if that helps resolve the issue. This article explains how: Add or remove email accounts in Mail on Mac

Thanks!

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Answer 3

elazarus Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 6, 2021 11:15 AM in response to barberlives123

Thanks for responding.

Over the past few years I have re-booted into safe mode many times and the same thing happens.

I just clicked on this incoming email and it froze. Had to click on the desktop and come back to "unfreeze"

So Big Sur, Catalina and before....safe mode or regular start up the Apple Mail app will freeze when clicking on mail 50% of the time.

Elliot

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Answer 4

elazarus Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 6, 2021 12:07 PM in response to MichelleT18

Hi

I have disabled all the accounts (green dot on the accounts tab) and deleted the 2 most used accounts and put them back in a few times but it did not help.

Having deleted and re-installed the email accounts has not helped. FYI, I open both Spark and Outlook each day, let them download the mail and then exit those 2 apps....so I always have email up through today in case Apple Mail crashes for good. It's is just the Outlook interface is that awful Blue dot screen and Spark has too many limitations.

Thank you

Elliot

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Answer 5

elazarus Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 6, 2021 8:23 PM in response to Sharon_419

Thank you.

I did speak with them about a year ago and they had me boot from recovery but it did not change the Apple Mail behavior.

It has to be something deep in the system. When the, if they do, new iMacs come out I plan on getting a replacement for this 2014 version and start fresh without a migration. Hopefully, this will eliminate the problem.

I appreciate your help.

Elliot

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Answer 6

Sharon_419

Community Specialist

Oct 6, 2021 1:11 PM in response to elazarus

Hey elazuras,

Thanks for those details.

We'd recommend contacting Apple Support for further assistance here: Get Support

Thanks!

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Answer 7

ku4hx

Level 7

23,610 points

Oct 7, 2021 10:13 AM in response to elazarus

All four of our iMacs have done this for years (since 2015): sudden freezes requiring the mail app to be shut down. I seem to recall this is an ongoing bug Apple has not addressed.

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Answer 8

elazarus Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 7, 2021 10:18 AM in response to ku4hx

I am sorry to hear that. The simplest app that is used the most

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