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I have a new Mac Book Air (M2) and it's running Ventura 13.1. I finally got my email to work the way I like it and then discovered that Mail would not and could not save signatures. they disappear when I quit the app and start it up again.
MacBook Air, macOS 13.1
Hello everyone.
I have had this issue for a few years now, but yesterday needed to make it work, so I found a lot of topics about this problem on the internet; it is evident that this issue affects many people and despite that, there's still no fix from Apple. So I tried to figure it out.
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I located the directory where the signatures are stored in the system library. Three files are basically needed to assemble the single signature. The first file is .mailsignature (the file with your actual signature [you can have multiple of these .mailsignature files — one for each signature]), and the other two types are .plist files (one where you can find information about your signatures associated with accounts, and the other for listing of all your signatures).
I found that when you create a new signature it is successfully written into a file called AccountsMap.plist, but there are no .mailsignature files created and that's probably the reason why it is not written into another .plist file (AllSignatures.plist). You can not write and create these files manually (at least, it didn't work for me). So I tried to turn off iCloud for Mail to see what is happening inside the library and it started to work perfectly and create all files you need to work with signatures. So it seems to me there is some problem with syncing into iCloud.
(Don't try renaming or deleting any library files if you don't know what you’re doing, it can have fatal consequences (and if you do, always back up the original files).
—
The solution.
All you need to do is temporarily turn off iCloud for Mail, then create signatures and turn the iCloud for Mail on again, so it's an easy fix (unless Apple fixes it properly). To do this, follow the steps below:
—
Note 1:
You need to repeat this process every time you'd like to make changes or add a new signature.
Note 2:
Signatures are still not synced over other devices (I am not sure if it's a bug or expected behavior and it is not supposed to be synced across all devices).
—
I hope this helps.
After the latest Apple update, I found my 12 signatures in Mail were deleted. I was able to retrieve them from sent messages. I copied each into the center box with the +- controls at the bottom left of the center box. The only way I could use them was to enter the standard signature (3 lines: name, E-Mail address, Phone number) into the top of the right box with the "Check box followed by Always match my default message font" line at the bottom.
Next I copy pasted each signature from the center box one at a time under the standard signature, hitting the + for each addition until I had the 12 signatures back once again. I selected "Choose Signature:" at random at the bottom of the signatures panel. An example signature:
my name
E-Mail address
phone number
You can observe a lot by watching - Yogi Berra
hello bradyinreno,
unfortunately it only work partly for me. Some signatures stayed, others vanished. I have 3 mail addresses, and 7 signatures. Any recommendations? It's pretty annoying.
Also, I don't understand why the signatures do not synchronize between devices (ipad, iPhone).
Thanks for help
Signatures on phones and iPads are entirely different. Have to make them on that. Always have.
For your computer, follow the directions but delete and recreate any signatures that are having issues. I just copied my signatures, hit the + and made them again. Give them a slightly different title as well. Hopefully that helps
I know signatures on phones and iPads are entirely different. I just thought there might be a way to sync them. Would be great!
Ok, so far it seems to work with the signatures. I hope it stays. I use quiet elaborate signature with many different colors, so its always a lot of work to recreate them as the colors seems to vanish when I copy them.
I hope for the best. Thanks anyway!
I have attempted the "fix" three times. I turned off iCloud mail (the correct setting) and re-created my email signatures. I closed out mail and when I reopened mail the signatures were gone.
What gives Apple? This is a significant flaw that needs urgent attention.
PLEASE HELP!
Thanks,
Jess
Using Ventura 13.5, this 100% does not work. Have turned off mail sync in iCloud. Have adjusted signatures in Mail. Have quit mail. Have relaunched mail - all old signatures reappear, changes are gone - and iCloud mail is off. Frustrating.
This does not work for me on Ventura 13.5 (22G74). This is driving me nuts and only happens on one of my computers but it's the most recent one, so it's the one I want to use for work. Going insane....
"System Preferences > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options... >
Turn Mail OFF (Important: this is NOT the first Mail you see, in the
main iCloud window, this is the Mail in the iCloud Drive options
window). Click done."
The critical part that is missing from this fix is:
Once you have made your changes for signatures in Mail and quit the application, turn Mail back on in iCloud but DO NOT RUN THE MAIL APPLICATION FOR 30 MINUTES.
This will permanently fix the issue.
The 30-mins tip (thanks Ducarmur) seems to have worked for my Signatures on new M2 Mac Studio. Have done a full re-start and the signatures remain (for all mail accounts. iCloud; Gmail; and 3 different private domain email accounts).
I hope it holds true after any future macOS update!
That does not work either. On checking though, the signatures disappear immediately even if iCloud mail is disabled. Some people were saying restart mail to check immediately if the signatures are still there. They never are. Not immediately, and not after over half an hour.
Well after trying a few times this did work for me today. I think I might have NOT gone to the iCloud DRIVE apps a few times when I tried this. It does work if you go to iCloud DRIVE and then to 'apps synching to iCloud Drive'. Perhaps others have been equally rushed and not checked this properly! Thanks!
Thanks for clarifying francois189 that it works.
It is a bit tricky understanding the exact process to be followed. And it's not helped with Apple's new System Settings app not making things obvious with where to click or what's where. 😀
Those suggestions worked for me...thank you so so much!!
2 different Senior Advisors couldn't figure out the problem with my "signatures" disappearing and they told me to bring computer to Best Buy to have it fixed. Geeesh...ya'll saved me a lot of money!! Again, Thanks!! :)
Sorry to hear that.
It is possible that there could be other issues, or Apple may have made some changes since I found this solution. However, the signatures I have created are still working correctly. If you are determined to make it work, you can try navigating to the system library to understand what's going on with your system while proceeding with the steps and manually troubleshooting the signature files.
miroslavmajdak response worked form me on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254556408?answerId=258674617022#258674617022
Mail loses signatures
