The Apple Mail application does not synchronize between our MacBook Pro and our iPad. Any and all activity on either device within Mail does not show up on the other, meaning for example that any number of emails read on one device will show up as new mail the next time you open the Mail application on the other device. What setting have I not found? This is probably posted in the wrong place, but, Thanks for any help!
MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)
Hello jaybrandabur,
Thanks for posting on the Apple Support Communities. I see that the Mail app on your iPad and your MacBook Pro are not syncing changes like you reading a message. I will be more than happy to help.
From what it sounds like, your email is set up using the POP email protocol. This means that when one of your devices checks your email, changes like marking an email as read may not sync across devices. An alternate email protocol is IMAP, which communicates with the email server to ensure changes to your email are synced. So if you read it on one device it shows as read on the other and vice versa. The same goes for deleting the email.
Some email providers only support one or the other, and some support both. I would check with your email provider to see if they support IMAP.
Take a look at this article for things to ask the email provider:
Mail settings you might need from your email provider - Apple Support
Also this article has some great information:
Set up an email account on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Mail for Mac: Set up Mail with your email accounts
If you need further assistance once you get these settings let us know. However, other than providing your email provider, make sure not to post any personal information like your email address here.
Take care!
mail won't synchronize
