How can I prevent Mac Mail from crashing when searching for certain words?

When I search for a word in mail, Mac Mail crashes. It's always the same word and you can search for something else and it's ok. Then it decides to crash on a different word. It's driving me nuts.

YES - I do have a large mailbox and NO I AM NOT GOING TO DOWNLOAD IT ALL AGAIN. That would take more than 2 months internet allowance, so please, suggestions which do NOT involve rebuilding the while mailbox would be appreciated. Thanks.


Its a macbook air M2 (2022) running Sonoma 14.0


[Re-Titled By Moderator]

MacBook Air, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 20, 2023 2:51 AM

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Posted on Nov 21, 2023 10:14 AM

Solution found for my email crash problem


Hi All - after multiple, multiple calls with Apple Support, I think they have finally solved the issue - at least for me. I am putting in the steps provided to me today below but please understand this is not in my normal wheelhouse and so hopefully does not cause any issues for others if trying. Alternately if you call Apple Support and explain the issue (email crashing when using certain travel related search terms) they hopefully can located this workaround in their system and work with you directly.


In short - what we did was Reindexing the Mail Folders. Following are the steps provided to me from the senior advisor I worked with.


Click on Finder in the Dock at bottom of your screen.

The menu bar at the top of the screen should now show 'Finder'

To the right of 'Finder' - click on 'Go' and look for 'Library' (if 'Library' is hidden - press/hold 'option' key)

Click on 'Library' and look for "Mail' Folder.

Click on 'Mail Folder' and look for a folder that starts with a "V" (mine was V10 but could be a different number)

Click on the "V" Folder and look for "Mail Data" Folder

Click on "Mail Data" Folder and look for any files/docs that start with the word "Envelope Index" (some might also have something else after that like -wal, etc)


If more than one file/doc that starts with "Envelope Index" then hold command key and click on all the files/docs that start with "Envelope Index" until all are highlighted.


Once all highlighted - right click on one and at top of the pop up that should say "New Folder with Selection (xx items) xx = the number of items you have highlighted. Click on that (New Folder...) and all of the files/docs will move into that new folder. Then - and you don't have to do this, but I did to make coming back in the future easer, you can name that new folder. (Mine was simply 'Envelope Files')


At this point, close out of finder.

Finally and this is the part that takes the longest - shut down and restart your Mac.

IMPORTANT - ONCE YOU DO SHUTDOWN AND RESTART, ALL OF YOUR EMAILS WILL FIRST HAVE TO RELOAD AND THEN WILL GO THROUGH INDEXING. THIS TOOK HOURS!


ALSO IMPORTANT - Again I cannot say for certain this will work for others, I just know it worked for me. If uncertain - truly best to call Apple Support/Care and see if they can work you through this procedure!!


Good luck.

96 replies

Nov 16, 2023 5:02 PM in response to fairhsa2

SAME HERE! Thought I was crazy - so glad I checked here.


Mac Mail crashes for me when I search for travel related terms, "Del" (Delta) for example, as well as "Bol" searching for emails related to a trip to Bologna, and recently it started crashing for odd non-travel related terms, like when searching for my daughter's name, although, I WAS looking for her flight itinerary, which is super odd. The "Del" crash and crashing on a name is new as of today, as I search for these terms all the time, and not being able to search will soon become a major issue.


I have multiple email accounts, and like others here, this all started when I upgraded the OS. I tried cleaning out my massive inbox, by archiving old emails - didn't help. I hope they solve this soon it's a real pain.

Dec 9, 2023 12:10 AM in response to fairhsa2

Same issue for me, not fixed by re-indexing. It all started roughly after I had booked a flight with West Jet from Toronto to Calgary. I travel a lot for work and trying to find flights for reimbursements has been a challenge, to say the least. The following keywords crash things for me (full words included for context):

kl(m)

fli(ght)

wes(t jet)

je(t)

tor(onto)

he(lsinki)

oul(u)

tick(et)

etc...


Curiously, "florence" doesn't break even though I have travelled there recently. Nor does "air france".

If I was to hazard a guess, I'd say it has something to do with the linked calendar events.

Oct 28, 2023 8:42 AM in response to SpaceMan

SpaceMan - weirdly enough I have the same problem and the initial trigger word that caused it to start crashing was Southwest (as I was looking for past Southwest flights in my email)


I also noted that other words like united and International - all with t’s seem to crash it.


I’ve spent countless hours this week with Apple Care with one senior advisor almost doing more harm than good but think I now have someone that I started working with there that I hope will be able to help me. If so, I will post to the community.

Oct 29, 2023 11:30 AM in response to RandHan54

I don't have a separate folder for travel. Even if I search the specific "rubbish" folder, Mail crashes. I also have many other flights coming up with other airlines (Cathay, Qatar, Lufthansa, Turkish, none of which crash). Mind you, it also crashes on the "k" when I type "Booking", as well as the "n" for "Singapore", as well if I start typing the PNR code of the flights with Singapore Airlines.


Also only started with Sonoma for me. iOS works fine.

Nov 10, 2023 1:27 PM in response to fairhsa2

I did the one posting that referenced crashing when doing travel related search terms.


Have been working with a senior advisor from Apple Support for a couple of weeks and he said that their engineering might have a solution so we a call next week. Will post if they actually have a solution.


Did ask if Support looks at these forums and he said not really. He indicated that they really only follow up when people call in and even then, needs to he a meaningful amount who do have the same issue.

Nov 19, 2023 12:23 PM in response to fairhsa2

Solution Found (it appears)


After multiple calls with Apple Support it looks like they finally found a solution for e-mail crashing after searching using a ‘travel related’ word. Was told Apple Engineering came up with this solution. (They had several different possibilities and third one worked)


Because all my e-mail had to reload before I could try it out, Apple Support was not able to wait on phone. I have emailed them back and asked them to provide the steps and once I hear back (and assume that I will) will post here.



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How can I prevent Mac Mail from crashing when searching for certain words?

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