How can I sync my POP Apple mail folders on my work computer (Macbook Pro) and Macbook Air? I need to be able to read and download them on both computers but make sure the messages I've downloaded are on both computers. I can't switch to an IMAP account as I have 20,000 downloaded emails organized in folders that I need access to. Thank you for any help!
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)
Gregg,
Sorry to say, but POP is a 30 year old technology and it doesn't sync. You can search for 3rd party applications to copy your mail folders back and four between your computers, but I would not recommend it as Apple's Mail application is not designed to do this. I recommend getting a GMail or iCloud IMAP mail account. IMAP will sync folders, your inbox, outbox, drafts, etc. Much better way to go.
FYI, you can switch to IMAP. After setting up an IMAP account in Mail, you can drag your folders from the on my Mac section into your IMAP mailbox and everything will copy over for you. Everything will still be organized.
If you want to stay with POP rather than IMAP, make sure your mail account is set up to NOT remove messages from the server (Mail>Preferences>Accounts>Advanced).
Then, set up your account to automatically BCC yourself on messages you send. (Mail>Preferences>Composing).
Now all messages you receive and send will be available from either machine.
Another alternative is to periodically simply copy the whole Mail folder (<home>/Library/Mail) from one machine to the other.
This is what I do, in fact. I use the iMac as my main computer and made an Automator workflow app to copy Mail, Calendar, and Address Book files and selected Documents folders to my MBA. It's not elegant perhaps, but it works for me.
Syncing Pop Mail across two Macs
