MacBook Air: Deleted items return, Trash empty

“MacBook Air: Deleted items return, Trash empty: I have a MacBook Air Version 12.7.6 MacOS Monterey 13in, 2017. Yesterday Google showed the symbol for Offline. Today that symbol disappeared but when I delete something it does not show in Trash. Trash remains empty and the deleted item reappears in my Inbox.”

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Gmail Mail Reappearing:

A. Mail Server Syncing:

It is showing up, because there is a syncing issue between your Mac and Google’s mail server.

B. Turn Off VPNs:

Do you have any VPS tuned in? If you turn them off.

C. New Gmail Session:

You need to sign out of Gmail, and then sign back in.

“Thank you. Unfortunately it's not syncing. I followed your directions: On my MacBookAir I turned off VPN on Malwarebytes. Under VPN there are three selections: The first was to change to off which Ii did; the 2nd says Trust local devices - I left it On; the 3rd says Connection Rules - not configured or configured - I left it on Configure. The last is Kill Switch and it remains Off. On the 2nd and 3rd items should I turn off?“

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Yes. Turn them all off. And restart your computer after you do so (for syncing purposes).

“Addendum: I never sign in to Google, however, you said to do that and I did. After turning off VPN it says ‘online activity is (in red) potentially exposed. It shows New York and Private IP: not connected. Also, my ‘Archive’ file keeps increasing as I individually delete and as I said earlier, the deletes keep reappearing. Thank you.”

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Uninstall Malwarebytes —drag it into the trash. Then, restart your Mac. There is a free version of Malwarebytes you’ll find in the App Store app. You are getting is error message of being “exposed”, because it is part of the GUI(Graphical User Interface) of Malwarebytes. The free version does not have VPN.

“[…]Looking at the web site from your link on my laptop for Malwarebytes Mobile Security, first I want to understand that this is for my Mac laptop and not for my iPhone?[…]”

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Which Version to Use:

Oddly enough, using a mobile device, only the mobile version pops up:

malwarebytes for mac site:apple.com

So, try that link on your Mac, and open the one from the App Store. I’ll provide it later in the day/night.

"I went back to Malwarebytes and "deactivated." Now what - I'm 82 yrs old and am being a very slow dinosaur I realize!"

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Downloading, Installing, and Running Malwarebytes for Mac:

IMPORTANT: Do not activate anything nor buy anything, as it is NOT required.

A bit of pseudocode...

1. Get Here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431
2. Open: it from the downloads folder (down button, to top-right cornet of Safari)
3. Open: the Download
4. Select: Maybe Later (Bottom-Left, Blue-Colored Font)
5. Select: Skip Protections (Bottom-Left, Blue-Colored Font)
6. Select: Continue without full protection (Bottom-Middle, Blue-Colored Font)
7. Click: Scan (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font)
8. Click: Grant Access (Center-Middle, Blue-Colored Font)
9. Click: Open (Bottom-Middle, Blue-Colored Font)
10. Toggle On: Malwarebytes Protection
11. Close: System Settings
12. Click: Done (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font)
13. Click: Scan (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font)
14. Click: Done (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font)
15. Click: Reports tab (Far-Right Tab)
16. Click: Delete All (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font, Bottom-Left Corner)
17. Click: Delete All (Blue-Colored Button, Wight-Colored Font, Bottom-Left Corner)
18. Close Malwarebytes.

“I'm sorry but I'm not clear on the purpose of what you just sent me. I haven't resolved the issue I have. Trash remains empty, archive increases, deletes reappear even though I've "deactivated" Malwarebytes.”

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What’s the purpose? To run you through how to install Malwarebytes for free, assuring you successfully skip all the log ins, and don’t fall for installing the pay-for version..

Your Malwarebytes Version has/had VPN as a Feature:

Because you have a version of Malwarebytes that has a VPN built into it. Having performed all of this, did you skip it all, as instructed? Or did you login, as not recommended? VPN seems to be the culprit here. If it isn’t Malwarebytes, then the culprit is something else. So, and success?

“I don't know how to activate the Malwarebytes inorder to drag it into the trash. As you know I'm sure, it's a paid premium one and has not expired yet.”

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Close Malwarebytes:

On your Mac, go to Apple menu > Force Quit > Malwarebytes > Force Quit button > Force Quit

Then…

Delete Malwarebytes:

Go to Applications folder. Then, drag & drop it to Trash. Then, open Trash, and delete Malwarebytes from within. Restart your Mac, once the uninstall has completed.

As for the License, Deactivate this Device:

You can add it to another device, such as a PC or Android phone.

“ok, the Force Quit applications show: Mail Safari and Finder. If I choose Mail, will there be a submenu for Malwarebytes?”

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Malwarebytes Showing as a Subfolder in Force Quit:



No. There is no subfolder ever shown in Force Quit. Mail is an app of its own. So, if you were to Force Quit an app, anything open would be gone. So, save it as a draft by closing it.

"I've resolved the issue with Mail and Google - it was a Mail issue per Apple support person who I spoke with on the phone. He walked me through quite a few steps on my laptop until we got Mail back to performing as it should. He said Malwarebytes wasn't involved in this issue. Thank you very much for your responses to my queries and for your patience. I really appreciated it."

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You are most welcome. Excellent job troubleshooting this!

It's more VPNs, than the Malwarebytes app, that's the suspicious culprit, here. But Malwarebytes is something to use: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download