Limit the number of emails retained in the "sent" folder

I recently experienced a problem sending emails, the emails would get kicked back for "too many messages sent" or "email contains spam." I finally found what appears to be a solution, but I would like verification. My "Sent" folder contained over 3000 emails, all the way back to when I purchased the machine. After I deleted 2500 of the emails, things started to work normally. Two questions: Is there a correlation between the size of the sent folder and the problems I encountered? Is there a way to automatically limit the size of the Sent folder? I use an iMac, 2019, 4K, 21.5", Sonoma 14.5. Thanks for any help.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 13, 2024 7:51 AM

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4 replies

Jul 14, 2024 8:44 AM in response to GTR81

It is a message from Apple Mail but it is not an Apple Mail issue that you can fix by adjusting something on your Mac or in Apple Mail. The Apple Mail program is simply reporting that the server at wctel.net is telling you that the server from your email provider blocked the message in one instance because of "too many sent messages" and in the other because the server detected "spam content."


The one reporting "spam content" appears to have many email addressees in the bcc which is one of the hallmarks of spam. That said, your service provider seems to be a bit touchy about using its service. It limits your Sent email messages (you proved that by reducing the number to fix an issue) and it seems a bit restrictive of the "spam detection."


The only limit I remember is 50 messages per hour, regardless, I had not even come close to any of the limits they mentioned.


I think you need to explore these limits more with your email provider. Or simply find a new email provider -- I'm sure your GMAIL imposes no such restrictions, for instance, and you appear to be using the same Apple Mail there as well. Or simply use GMAIL instead.


You can configure a Rule in Apple Mail (see Settings or Preferences and select the Rules tab) to delete all Sent message older than something that you specify. But there is no reason you should have to do that with POP. And those restrictions on number of emails sent or number of emails sent per hour are something that would, for me, make an email provider unacceptable, I would use a different provider.

Jul 13, 2024 9:03 AM in response to GTR81

There are a number of details that could affect the answer to your query.


(1) Are you using Apple Mail or some other program (like Outlook) or are you using a web browser for email

(2) Is the error message from your email provider or is it from the Mac operating system or from an individual email program

(3) What type of email are you using: IMAP (where all emails are stored on the server and are mirrored on your Mac), or POP (emails are downloaded to your Mac).

(4) Does your email provider have a limit on number of emails or a quota on the space they take up


3000 emails is not very many. I have seen Sent and other mailboxes much larger than that. Upwards of multiple tens of thousands, so I believe the limitation is coming from your email provider not from your email software, but without these details, one cannot tell.

Jul 14, 2024 7:40 AM in response to steve626

1 - I am using Apple Mail

2 - See attached screenshots, the provider believes they are Apple Messages

3 - It is a POP

4 - The only limit I remember is 50 messages per hour, regardless, I had not even come close to any of the limits they mentioned.


I hope you find this information helpful, let me know if you need anything else.

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Limit the number of emails retained in the "sent" folder

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