Mac Mail Rules are not saving if "actions" are either "move message" or "copy message". Designated folder resets to "no mailbox selected" when quitting and reopening the program

I found the "Best Answer" in this thread for a similar issue (Mac Mail not saving Signatures) also fixes this issue for me:

Mail loses signatures - Apple Community

Exit Mail

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.

Open Mail and input your signatures. Close Mail. Open Mail to test. Close it once again. Go back to system settings and turn back ON Mail the same way you turned it off. Open Mail again. Should be there. Hope this helps.

Original thread in the link has pictures, etc...

chips86 wrote:

I need a number of "rules" in place to filter my emails (100+ every day) into various folders.

When I set up a rule, if its function is to either move or copy an email to another folder, when I exit the program, the rule resets and the destination folder information is lost. If I then reset the rule's destination folder, the rule works perfectly but again, if I exit the program, when I open it up again, the rule has reset:

Before exiting program, rule works perfectly:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/5ca83556-468a-41a0-8f80-72de4ceb7a45

After I exit and reopen program, rule not working:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/4a0bdb44-f822-4583-be68-3b3bdb66466d

You can clearly see that the "to mailbox" setting has been reset. This did work perfectly until an update a year or two ago when the issue started (on a late 2013 MacBook Pro 15 inch). I recently upgraded to a 2021 MacBook Pro 14 inch. It was a completely new machine and everything was a fresh install and the problem continued!! My current MacBook Pro is completely up to date, using Ventura 13.4.1 and the mail version is 16.0.

If someone can give me any help with this, I would be hugely appreciative as it's driving me mad. I have seen a couple of other forums out there describing this issue (most recently in Jan / Feb 2023) but it has't had any recent posts and although there was no resolution, it has been archived.

Hope to hear from someone soon

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

chips86 wrote:

I need a number of "rules" in place to filter my emails

When I set up a rule, if its function is to either move or copy an email to another folder, when I exit the program, the rule resets and the destination folder information is lost. If I then reset the rule's destination folder, the rule works perfectly but again, if I exit the program, when I open it up again, the rule has reset:

2021 MacBook Pro 14 inch.

Ventura 13.4.1

Try turning off Mail in iCloud— edit /add rules and see if they saved properly; re-enable iCloud Mail and compare your results.

>System Settings>AppleID>iCloud

Change Add Rule settings in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Change Rule settings in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

chips86 wrote:

Disabling iCloud Mail works, this issue is with a Gmail account but when I disable the iCloud Mail it allows me to save and keep the rules for the Gmail account. However, I then loose the ability to use my @me.com email address. At least this seems to narrow down the issue to a bug within the iCloud Mail Sync.

Any ideas on how to actually fix it?

You can file a bug report /submit your Apple Feedback here:  Product Feedback - Apple

Call Customer Support  (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line  https://getsupport.apple.com/

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support