Can I stop Mail from automatically marking emails as read (before I have read them)?

I'm sure I'm not the only one with too much email. I will often skim through the summary list, deleting some and moving some to junkmail. This gets rid of a lot.

But as I move or delete an email, my cursor moves to the next email in line and marks it read. I then have to click on it and mark it as unread.

Mail can't tell if I'm going to read the email.

In previous version of MacOS (before 14) plugins could fix this behavior, but now? … since plugins are no longer supported. My plugin only changed the read status when I klicked the space bar, and at the same time it moved to the next unread email. Simple and great!

Posted on Nov 27, 2023 10:59 AM

Best reply

Steve_007

Level 1

17 points

Posted on Mar 16, 2024 6:59 AM

The amount of times I've seen this requested (I've even submitted it myself as request to Apple). I just don't understand why they can't add a simple toggle so we can choose whether we want that message marked as read or not. I know it's technically read, but a lot of us use unmarked mail as in box management. And yes, I want to be able to preview it as well!

I'm running SmallCubed on my iMac but can't install that on the new Air. Very frustrating.

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20 replies

May 3, 2024 7:22 AM in response to lkrupp

In the past there were Mail extensions with this feature available, it was okay. Since Apple no longer allows Mail extensions in their latest MacOS version, the trouble started.

In all other mail-clients that I know you can adjust the "mark as read" behavior to your needs, so why not in Mail also?

If Mail was not well integrated (also on mobile devices), I would directly which to something else. And of course everything else in Mail is just fine, nothing to complain.

Sorry when I say that, if "such a feature seems weird and unnecessary" lies in the eye of the beholder and doesn't add any meaningful added value here.

If someone doesn't need it they can just keep it as it is - it is that easy.

PRP_53

Level 10

85,687 points

May 3, 2024 7:56 AM in response to BernhardfromAustria

Five Months ago " Posted on Nov 27, 2023 1:59 PM " we were talking about Sonoma 14.1.2 on November 30, 2023

We are not taking about Sonoma 14.4.1 and still on the same issue.

What have the nay sayers done to make this issue known to Apple and possibly influence some feature changes between 14.1.2 to current 14.4.1.

Apple may or may not react to somethings but for sure will not react to Non Asked Question to make changes

Nov 27, 2023 11:17 AM in response to BernhardfromAustria

There may be other ways but one way that likely will work is to disable Preview in the View menu of Mail.

lkrupp

Level 6

14,632 points

Mar 16, 2024 7:44 AM in response to Steve_007

Then start using an email client that has the feature you want.

Mar 16, 2024 7:47 AM in response to lkrupp

Yeah, thanks for that.

Can I stop Mail from automatically marking emails as read (before I have read them)?