com.apple.mail.plist versus com.apple.mail-shared.plist

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com.apple.mail.plist versus com.apple.mail-shared.plist

I'm migrating my mail files from old iMac (v10.9.5) to new iMac (v10.10.2). I have read the forums to know I need to move over both the Mail and Mail Preferences folders from my user library. However, I don't seem to have a com.apple.mail.plist file on the old iMac. Rather, I have a com.apple.mail-shared.plist file. Are these essentially the same, or do they function similarly such that I'm achieving the same thing by moving it instead of a plain old mail.plist file? Should I be concerned I don't have one that isn't 'shared'? Only one user on this Mac with only one POP email account to move. Thanks.

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 7:41 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2015 8:30 PM in response to critter2kdz

com.apple .mail.plist files are the user settings for the Mail application. It does not contain information such as rules, account, mailboxes, etc. Without it, Mail will revert to it's application default settings. Not a big deal. That file will actually be in the User Library in the Containers folder in com.apple.mail. I'm not smart enough to explain the difference between the plain and shared files.

Since you are moving from Mavericks to Yosemite, I would use setup assistant when you first boot into Yosemite on the new iMac to migrate your user folder. If you wish to include original settings and applications, then migrate them also.

You might consider just rebuilding all your settings instead of copying them. You can import your mail folders, or just copy the main mail folder and not the preference files. Your account and message info will be contained within the Mail folder in your user library.

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