Mail cannot access your mailbox information because it’s already in use. This started with Sonoma.

Question

Mail cannot access your mailbox information because it’s already in use. This started with Sonoma.

Occasionally, I get this pop-up after a restart of my Mac and choose "Quit" at the bottom of this pop-up, and then restart. After a second restart, I don't see it again for a while because that SECOND restart seems to clear things and mail works. There is NO other computer on my network, and I very rarely use mail apps on my iPad or iPhone because I work out of my home and use a big-screen MAC. Rather than hit the "Rebuild Mailbox Information" at the bottom of this pop-up and suffer whatever fresh **** that may (or may not) involve, I quit and then restart. Unfortunately, these early versions of Sonoma have me restarting a LOT until they get the bugs out. And it's not just mail. Safari's a whole other mess. I'm on Sonoma 14.1.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Nov 3, 2023 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 10, 2023 4:32 PM in response to Michael Goettee

If you haven't already done so, try these two methods to see if it helps:

Rebuild mailboxes in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

If that doesn't help you, then try a safe boot. Then after that reboot again normally and test it out again.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support (English)

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

136,133 points

Nov 3, 2023 3:00 PM in response to Michael Goettee

FWIW, I've never seen that window in any version of Sonoma, or any other version of macOS for that matter. Maybe it's because of something you install.

Install EtreCheck and post the report. Allow Full Disk Access.

https://etrecheck.com/

Use the Additional Text icon to paste in the report.

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Answer 3

Nov 3, 2023 2:10 PM in response to Michael Goettee

If it matters, I should add that though there's no other computer on the network or other app using Mail, there is another user on the Mac. Note that after a restart, the other user is logged out as I log in and open my own mail. No different than it has been for MANY MANY years.

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Answer 4

Nov 6, 2023 7:27 AM in response to Michael Goettee

I am also having this problem. I've rebuilt the index and that just leads to the spinning beach ball of death!

I notice that this problem was first noticed three years ago and several releases of macOS ago! Why does this problem still exist on Ventura 13.6.1 which I just installed a few days ago. C'mon Apple fix this stuff!!! You've had years to fix this! I've also noticed that my iMac takes much much longer to boot and start up than my iPad. Why is that?

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Answer 5

Nov 10, 2023 3:28 PM in response to dialabrain

I'm happy for you that you haven't seen that window. As a rule, I'd prefer to wait until others who HAVE seen it chime in to see if this is another common glitch with the OS rather than start downloading additional software and/or dive into some temporary work-around. I've wasted so much time messing with Sonoma already only to see SOME of the problems disappear with 14.1. I'm currently downloading 14.1.1 to see if it resolves anything with this mail issue.

If others who HAVE seen that window are comparing notes, then perhaps a remedy will be close at hand.

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