Mail - OSX Lion - Can't change font in mail list

I tried to replicate that but couldn't. I changed to "non-classic" layout, switched the message list font -- fine -- but the minute I uncheck "use classic layout", the message list reverts back to what it was before. Interestingly, the setting for message list font remains what I chose, but is now greyed out when I swich back to non-classic.

It sounds like you might have a "bug" that is letting it work -- interested to hear if anyone else is able to do it the way you did.

I wasn't expecting it to work, given that other people had tried it and found that it reverted to the previous font when they switched back to non-classic layout. However, I've just tried it a couple more times and it still works. I had all the fonts set at Verdana 17 with the Message list font button greyed out, switched to Viewing, checked Classic layout, switched back to Fonts & Colours, changed the Message list font to Lucida Grande 12, switched back to Viewing, unchecked the Classic layout box, switched back to Fonts & Colours and the Lucida Grande 12 was preserved with the Message list font button greyed out again. It works whether I choose Rich Text or Plain Text in Composing, so that's not a factor. I've just changed Message list font back to Verdana 17 again. I hope it's not a "Bug" that I've got, otherwise Apple may fix it and I won't be able to change the Message list font again! However, I hope you manage to get yours sorted out as well in due course.

Well I'm jealous! I'll try on my other Mac later and see if it happens to work...

Also, does this survive a restart?

Just restarted and it's still working as described. I'm running 10.11.6 on a 13" mid-2012 MBP . It does seem that different Macs deal with software updates in different ways. I was running 10.11.2 on this machine without any problems, but when I "upgraded" to 10.11.3, my internal superdrive stopped mounting DVDs, although it continues to mount CDs OK. There's a whole thread elsewhere devoted to that problem. Some people have managed to find work-rounds, apparently depending on what which model Mac they're running. None of those fixes have worked for me. I have a 15" 2009 MBP running 10.11.2 and the superdrive works OK on that, so I'm not upgrading on that machine until I don't need an internal superdrive any longer. Maybe Mail also behaves differently on different machines after an upgrade.

Just thought I'd check Mail Help to see what it says about fonts and found this:

Message list font - The font and font size for viewing the list of messages in classic layout only (where the message list is above the messages). Click Select to use a different font.

(My emboldening above)

So it looks like Apple doesn't want you to be able to change it in non-classic layout. Did a bit more testing and chose Verdana 9. In classic layout, the Message list font is minute, but when I change back to non-classic it's the same size as before I changed it to Verdana 9, even though it's saying Verdana 9 in the Message list box.

So, it looks like I do have a "bug" in Mail and the fact that I was able to change the Message list font and size in the Fonts & Colours pane was a red herring, as it didn't actually change the font and size in the message list.

Apologies for getting your hopes up.

I was playing around with this too and it got me no where fast. I just tried using the 'command' key and the '+ or -' keys in the email and it increased and decreased the readability size in the relative email note. It might be an alternative solution that to mess in the terminal, at least it works for me. Its has the same effect in enlarging the font in Safari.

In MacMail,

Go to "Preferences",

In "Viewing", then click "Classic View".

In "Fonts & Color", you are now able to change "Message List Font" to your desire.

When done, ...

In "Viewing", click off "Classic View".

You will find that your "Message List Font" is now grayed out (cannot change) but is the font/color you previously chose.

... but when you switch "Classic View" off again, the message list itself reverts to the default font. The "Message List Font", as you say, retains the custom setting but it has no effect at all on the actual message list. In other words, the steps you list do nothing to actually change the font.

That's a standard feature, and not what we're talking about here. This thread is about people trying to change the font of the list of messages.

I see - you are correct - thank you for clarifying. 😊

Well its been a year and obviously it hasn't been fixed by Apple...See my note below....