Apple Mail Not Working? Causes & How to Fix It

Apple Mail is a reliable email client for macOS and iOS, but like any app, it can encounter issues. Whether it’s not sending or receiving emails, freezing, or failing to sync, these problems can be frustrating. In this guide, we’ll explore common reasons why Apple Mail may not be working and provide step-by-step solutions to get it back on track.

Common Reasons Why Apple Mail Stops Working

Apple Mail can stop working due to various reasons, including internet issues, misconfigured settings, or software glitches. Here are the most common causes:

Internet Connectivity Issues – A weak or unstable Wi-Fi or cellular connection can prevent emails from sending or syncing.
Incorrect Email Settings – Wrong server details, authentication errors, or outdated configurations can cause mail failures.
Email Provider Server Issues – If Gmail, Outlook, or another provider is down, Apple Mail won’t work until the issue is resolved.
Outdated macOS or iOS – Bugs or compatibility issues in older software versions can lead to crashes or sync problems.
Conflicts with Third-Party Apps – Security software, VPNs, or firewalls may block Apple Mail from connecting to the server.

Key Takeaway: Most Apple Mail issues stem from connectivity problems, misconfigured settings, or software conflicts. Identifying the cause is the first step toward fixing it.

How to Fix Apple Mail Not Sending or Receiving Emails

If Apple Mail is not sending or receiving emails, the problem could be related to network issues, incorrect settings, or account configuration errors. Try these troubleshooting steps:

Check Your Internet Connection – Ensure your Wi-Fi or cellular data is working. Try loading a webpage or switching networks to rule out connectivity problems.
Restart Your Device – A simple restart can refresh your network connection and resolve minor glitches.
Verify Mail Server Settings – Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, select your email account, and check the incoming and outgoing server details. Make sure they correspond with the preferences that your email provider has given you.
Remove and Re-add Your Email Account – Deleting and re-adding the account can resolve configuration errors. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, remove the account, and add it again.
Check for Email Provider Outages – Visit your email provider’s website (e.g., Google Workspace Status, Microsoft Outlook Service Status) to check for ongoing issues.
Clear Mail App Cache (Mac Only): Open Finder, go to ~/Library/Mail/V9 (or the latest version), and delete unnecessary cache files to improve performance.
Enable Fetch or Push Settings – If emails aren’t updating automatically, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data and enable Push or set Fetch to a shorter interval.
Disable VPN or Security Apps – Some VPNs or security software may block email traffic. Temporarily disable them and test Apple Mail again.
Update macOS or iOS – Bugs in older versions of macOS or iOS can cause email issues. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest updates.

Key Takeaway: Checking internet connectivity, verifying server settings, and re-adding your email account are some of the quickest ways to resolve Apple Mail sending or receiving issues.

What to Do When Apple Mail Keeps Crashing or Freezing

Software problems, corrupted files, or incompatibilities with other apps may be the cause of frequent crashes or freezes in Apple Mail. Try these solutions to fix the issue:

Force Quit and Restart Apple Mail – Close the app completely and reopen it. On Mac, press Command + Option + Escape, select Mail, and click Force Quit.
Restart Your Device – A system reboot can clear temporary glitches causing Mail to crash.
Update macOS or iOS – Software bugs in outdated versions can lead to crashes. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Clear Mail Cache and Attachments (Mac Only) – Large email caches can slow down the app. Open Finder, go to ~/Library/Mail/V9 (or the latest version), and delete unnecessary cache files.
Disable Problematic Email Accounts – If one email account is causing the crash, disable it temporarily by going to Settings > Mail > Accounts and toggling off Mail for that account.
Rebuild Mailbox (Mac Only) – A corrupted mailbox can cause freezing. In Apple Mail, select the mailbox, go to Mailbox > Rebuild, and wait for the process to complete.
Start in Safe Mode (Mac Only) – Booting into Safe Mode can help diagnose issues caused by third-party apps. Restart your Mac and hold Shift until the Apple logo appears.
Reset Apple Mail Preferences (Mac Only) – Deleting preference files can resolve persistent crashes. Open Finder, go to ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail and delete this folder. Restart Mail afterward.
Check for Conflicting Third-Party Apps – Some security software, extensions, or plugins may interfere with Apple Mail. Turn them off for a while and see whether the problem still exists.
Reinstall macOS (Last Option) – If none of the above works, reinstalling macOS can help fix system-level issues. Back up your data before proceeding.

Key Takeaway: Restarting your device, clearing cache files, updating software, and disabling problematic accounts are effective ways to fix Apple Mail crashes or freezes.

Apple Mail Not Syncing? Try These Fixes

If Apple Mail isn’t syncing properly across your devices, emails may not appear on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad as expected. This issue is often related to iCloud, mail server settings, or connectivity problems. Try these solutions to restore syncing:

Check Internet Connection – A weak or unstable Wi-Fi or cellular connection can prevent Apple Mail from syncing. Test by opening a webpage or switching networks.
Enable Mail Sync in iCloud Settings – If you’re using iCloud Mail, ensure syncing is enabled. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Mail on.
Manually Refresh Apple Mail – On Mac, click the Get Mail button or press Command + Shift + N to force a sync. On iPhone/iPad, pull down from the top of the Mail app inbox to refresh.
Sign Out and Sign Back Into iCloud – Sometimes, logging out and back in can fix sync issues. On iPhone/iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in. On Mac, go to System Settings > Apple ID > Sign Out, then log in again.
Remove and Re-add the Email Account—A misconfigured account can cause syncing problems. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, remove the email account, and then add it again.
Check Mail Fetch and Push Settings – If emails aren’t syncing automatically, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data and enable Push or set Fetch to a shorter interval.
Restart Your Device – Refreshing system processes by a simple reboot can fix syncing problems.
Check for Email Provider Issues – If you’re using Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, visit their status page to see if syncing issues are due to a service outage.
Reset Network Settings – If syncing problems persist, resetting network settings can help. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Update macOS or iOS – Go to Settings > General > Software Update to make sure the most recent software version is installed on your computer.

Key Takeaway: Most Apple Mail syncing issues can be fixed by checking internet connectivity, re-enabling iCloud Mail sync, manually refreshing the inbox, and removing/re-adding the email account.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Apple Mail Issues

For ongoing problems, consider these advanced fixes:

Reset NVRAM and SMC (Mac users only) – This can resolve system-level issues affecting Apple Mail.
Check Apple System Status – Visit Apple’s System Status page to see if Apple Mail servers are down.
Boot into Safe Mode – Restart your Mac in Safe Mode to identify app conflicts.
Reinstall macOS – If nothing else works, reinstalling macOS can fix deeper system-level issues.

Key Takeaway: If Apple Mail still isn’t working after basic fixes, advanced steps like resetting NVRAM/SMC, rebuilding mailboxes, using Safe Mode, or even reinstalling macOS may be necessary. Always back up important emails before making major changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Apple Mail not working on my iPhone?

Check your internet connection, update iOS, and verify mail server settings. If the issue persists, restart your iPhone.

How do I reset Apple Mail on my Mac?

You can reset Mail by deleting its preference files from Finder (~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail) and restarting the app.

Why are my emails not syncing between my Mac and iPhone?

Ensure Mail sync is enabled in iCloud settings and check that both devices are using the same Apple ID.

How do I fix Apple Mail stuck on “Checking for Mail”?

Force quit the Mail app, restart your device, and check if your email provider is experiencing outages.

What should I do if Apple Mail keeps asking for my password?

Try removing and re-adding your email account, ensuring two-factor authentication is set up correctly, and updating your mail server settings.

Additional Resources:

For more help, visit:

Apple Support: https://support.apple.com
Apple System Status: https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/
Mac Mail Troubleshooting Guide: https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/mail

Conclusion

Apple Mail issues can be frustrating, but most problems have simple fixes. By troubleshooting common causes like internet connectivity, incorrect settings, or outdated software, you can get your Mail app running smoothly again. If issues persist, consider advanced solutions or reach out to Apple Support for further assistance.