Deleted email vanish and do not show up in the Trash folder when deleted from the Inbox

After deleting emails, I go to my Trash folder and they are not there. I've searched for the email and they are not located. This is very inconvenient as I now have to hang onto email and overcrowd my email folders because I cannot go back and refer to my email - if I need to - because it's instantly deleted. I'm using an iMac 24 inch M1, 2021 and macOS Sequoia version 15.6.1. What is the fix for this?


iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Jan 13, 2026 12:04 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 15, 2026 10:03 PM

Re: "Mac 24 inch M1, 2021 and macOS Sequoia version 15.6.1. and macOS Sequoia version 15.6.1".

"After deleting emails, I go to my Trash folder and they are not there."

Thank you for your question to the community, and the details you thhoughtfully shared with us.


Keeping MacOS updated to the most recent compatible version often sidesteps issues that may arise.

Eg: There have been 4 updates to MacOS Sequoia since 15.6.1.

What's new in the updates for macOS Sequoia - Apple Support

says macOS Sequoia 15.7.3 is the most recent ... and

"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."

________

Reminder: If you choose to update MacOS: It iis always wise to back-up youtr Mac first.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Re: "Deleted email vanish and do not show up in the Trash folder when deleted from the Inbox"


If you are using MacOS 15.7.3 and still have the same issue:


  • Sometimes there are more than one Trash and / or Bin mailbox-folder in the Mail sidebar

(Eg: You may need to check in the one for your eMail provider: (eg: may be one for Yahoo, one for GMaiil, etc.)

and / or

  • You may want to check your settings to see what folder is set-up to receive deleted e-mails.

Eg: sometimes deleted, emails are set to go to "Archive" (or another folder you once chose)..


Change settings in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"In the Mail app  on your Mac, choose Mail > Settings, then click a settings pane:

* Accounts": >

"Use the Mailbox Behaviours pane to change where draft, sent, junk, deleted,

and archived messages are stored."

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 15, 2026 10:03 PM in response to TxAzGrl28

Re: "Mac 24 inch M1, 2021 and macOS Sequoia version 15.6.1. and macOS Sequoia version 15.6.1".

"After deleting emails, I go to my Trash folder and they are not there."

Thank you for your question to the community, and the details you thhoughtfully shared with us.


Keeping MacOS updated to the most recent compatible version often sidesteps issues that may arise.

Eg: There have been 4 updates to MacOS Sequoia since 15.6.1.

What's new in the updates for macOS Sequoia - Apple Support

says macOS Sequoia 15.7.3 is the most recent ... and

"This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users."

________

Reminder: If you choose to update MacOS: It iis always wise to back-up youtr Mac first.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Re: "Deleted email vanish and do not show up in the Trash folder when deleted from the Inbox"


If you are using MacOS 15.7.3 and still have the same issue:


  • Sometimes there are more than one Trash and / or Bin mailbox-folder in the Mail sidebar

(Eg: You may need to check in the one for your eMail provider: (eg: may be one for Yahoo, one for GMaiil, etc.)

and / or

  • You may want to check your settings to see what folder is set-up to receive deleted e-mails.

Eg: sometimes deleted, emails are set to go to "Archive" (or another folder you once chose)..


Change settings in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"In the Mail app  on your Mac, choose Mail > Settings, then click a settings pane:

* Accounts": >

"Use the Mailbox Behaviours pane to change where draft, sent, junk, deleted,

and archived messages are stored."

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Deleted email vanish and do not show up in the Trash folder when deleted from the Inbox

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