Vanishing sent messages in Apple Mail 4.3

Question

Vanishing sent messages in Apple Mail 4.3

I'm using Mac OS 10.6.4 with Apple Mail 4.3 and I've experienced a bug recently. I noticed that some of my messages, either new ones from scratch or replies to received messages, simply vanished.
If the message was a reply, I can't find it back by clicking on the curly arrow next to the name of the original message. A friend also experienced the same problems and we unfortunately can't replicate or find a logic to this bug. Searching doesn't do the trick, I'm using IMAP and it's also gone on the server but people receive these messages apparently.
Technote: MailTags and Mail Act-On are installed.
Has anyone experience the same problem and manage to isolate the cause of it? Thanks in advance for your help.

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 28, 2010 6:24 AM

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Answer 1

Munkoli

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2010 12:03 PM in response to Nicolas Robel

I have the EXACT same problem.
Its very frustrating. Sometimes I have to question myself whether or not I actually sent something or not. Then the next day someone will reply and I can restore faith in my sanity.

The only difference in my situation is that I do not use MailTags or Mail Act-On, whatever they are. So I think you can probably rule them out.

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Answer 2

Nov 2, 2010 9:07 AM in response to Munkoli

Same problem in the past week for me as well. I don't use those add ons either. This is a big problem. A copy of the sent message seems to not make it to the Sent Items folder on the server. It doesn't happen all the time, but also doesn't seem to have anything to do with attachments, either.

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Answer 3

Newnesi

Level 1

13 points

Nov 15, 2010 5:20 PM in response to David Toub

This problem also occurs in Mail 4.4 in 10.6.5

I find that messages sent through an Exchange Server 2007 account are saved as they should, but that messages sent from my MobileMe account do not: at least not for the most part as the odd one does end up in the Sent box, but most do not.

This is very inconvenient as I try to keep copies of all my incoming and outgoing mail so as to create a paper trail so I can check where I am with particular projects.

Regards,

Craig

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Answer 4

Jan 4, 2011 1:15 PM in response to Nicolas Robel

I filed a bug report. Apple Developer Support responded that this is a known issue which is currently being investigated by engineering. It only happens with some IMAP services, including AOL: http://aolanswers.com/questions/aolmail_folders862528158153087

To increase the priority of this bug, file more bug reports at http://developer.apple.com/bugreporter/

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Answer 5

Jan 4, 2011 1:25 PM in response to Darren Oh

Hi,

With respect to AOL, that provider has acknowledged the problem is on their end, with no indication of their yet blaming Apple. See:

http://aolanswers.com/questions/aolmail_folders_862528158153087/issue_aware_working_solution350707381124346

Ernie

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Answer 6

Jan 4, 2011 7:20 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

Gents, AOL might be your particular problem. I have the same issues as described above and I do not have AOL. I coming to the realization that iMail is pretty vanilla and is not power users. Do you agree?

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Answer 7

Jan 4, 2011 8:29 PM in response to Moncho_160

No, I don't agree. I have 15 accounts, half of which are IMAP, and it is not happening with any others. I find Mail to be equal or superior to other email clients I have used. And it integrates with other apps and databases on my Mac Pro.

Ernie

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Answer 8

Jan 5, 2011 12:22 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

I lost everything - inbox, sent, junk, trash - everything. And, one email newsletter I subscribe to sent an email (which eventually vanished) informing me that my subscription to the newsletter had been cancelled - but I didn't cancel it. I suspect that incoming emails, including the newsletter, were returned (or bounced) resulting in the cancellation.

This is a very serious issue Apple needs to address immediately. Mail 4.4 and MobileMe mail are affected, or infected, so now I've set all incoming emails to also be forwarded to a horrible Hotmail account I've had for years. That's the only way I get them.

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Answer 9

Jan 5, 2011 4:32 AM in response to savvydude

Have you logged into your MobileMe account via your browser? My MobileMe has not been troubled.

Did you access your account from more than one computer?

Ernie

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Answer 10

Jan 5, 2011 4:39 AM in response to Darren Oh

As this morning, AOL now working to Save sent messages with Mail 4.4. You will note this required no fix from Apple.

Ernie

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Answer 11

Jan 5, 2011 3:22 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

I have lost all sent messages too on my iMac. But I use virgin.net, not AOL. Any similarities between the two?! I am on Mail 4.4.

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Answer 12

Jan 5, 2011 5:32 PM in response to Anglibaptist

If this is an IMAP account, then in Mail Preferences/Accounts/Mailbox Behaviors what is the setting with regard to Sent messages?

Ernie

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Answer 13

Jan 8, 2011 3:05 PM in response to Nicolas Robel

I've just discovered my MobileMe IMAP Sent Mail Folder is missing in Mail on my Mac. There is sent mail up on the MobileMe web portal, but where did the folder go on my Mac in Mail? And how do I get it back? I've seen some threads about this problem with Mail 4.4 and OS X 10.6, but not much. Can anyone provide some insight? Suggestions?

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Answer 14

Jan 8, 2011 4:24 PM in response to andrew.lehman

Ugh!

I am having the same freaking problem. I have a gmail account set up as an IMAP in IMail. I have only a few sent messages that appear in my sent mail in Imail. All sent messages are still in my account if I access it through gmail.com

What in the world is going on?! Anyone have any leads on how to fix this?

I have already tried rebuilding the mailbox and deleting and re-adding the account in Imail.

This is so frustrating!

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Answer 15

FrankAH

Level 1

0 points

Jan 24, 2011 4:50 AM in response to Nicolas Robel

Hi all

I'm using Mail 4.4 on OSX 10.6.6 and had same issue using imap account on my own domain. I've looked to have solved the problem within Mailbox Behaviours. In the Sent area I unchecked the 'Store sent messages on server' check box. Sent my self an email, Mail created a sent folder and the sent email was there.

Before this I setup a 'smart mailbox' to have a copy of emails sent from my address, this also worked. Maybe an idea if the above does work for you.

Frank

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