[SOLVED] Mail.app in macOS keeps crashing or closing on its own

[Andy]

Are you struggling with Mail.app in macOS unexpectedly crashing or closing? It's a common problem that can be very frustrating, especially when you're in the middle of something important. Whether you're a regular macOS user or an IT professional, this guide will walk you through simple steps to fix the issue. These methods are tried and tested, aiming to resolve Mail.app malfunctions. Read on to learn how to delete Mac Mail preferences, remove the application state, and reindex your mailboxes, restoring the functionality of your Mail app.

Before proceeding, ensure your Mail.app is fully closed (use Force Quit if necessary).

Step 1: Delete Mac Mail Preferences​

If your Mail app continues to crash, it may be due to a corrupt PLIST (Property List) file that stores your preferences. Here's how to delete it:

1. Quit or force-quit the Mail app.
2. Control-click or right-click the Finder icon on the Dock, then select 'Go to Folder.'
3. Copy and paste this path into the 'Go to Folder' box and press Enter:
   ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Preferences/
4. Send the Mail preference file to the Trash:
   com.apple.mail.plist
5. Restart your Mac.
6. Open the Mail app again.

Step 2: Delete Application State​

Your Mac saves the Mail app's state for quicker resumption after shutting down or rebooting. If these files become corrupt, they may cause freezes and crashes. Here's how to delete them:

1. Force-quit or quit the Mail app.
2. Control-click or right-click the Finder icon on the menu bar and select 'Go to Folder.'
3. Copy and paste this path into the 'Go to Folder' box and press Enter:
   ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Saved Application State
4. Move the Mail saved folder to the Trash:
   com.apple.mail.savedState
5. Restart your Mac.
6. Try opening Mail to see if the problem persists.

Step 3: Reindex Your Mailboxes​

Reindexing your mailboxes in the Mail app might solve the issue. To do so, you must delete the “envelope” files:

1. Control-click or right-click the Finder icon on the menu bar, then select 'Go to Folder.'
2. Copy and paste this path into the 'Go to Folder' box and press Enter:
   ~/Library/Mail
3. Navigate to Vx/MailData. (x indicates what Mail.app version you're running, e.g. 10)
4. Find and move these files to the Trash:
   • Envelope Index-wal
   • Envelope Index
   • Envelope Index-shm

After completing these three steps, relaunch Mail.app.

These steps are safe to carry out, and you won't lose anything. The Mail.app will rebuild its index and database without requiring you to authenticate all mail accounts, as shown in the screenshot below:

The rebuilding task can be one hour long, depending on your mailbox size.

All signatures for each account will remain intact, but you will need to manually re-enable the signature for each individual account.

Conclusion​

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue of Mail.app in macOS crashing or closing on its own. These methods are designed to troubleshoot common underlying problems that may cause these disruptions.

Remember, technology can be unpredictable, and sometimes issues may persist even after careful troubleshooting. If you've followed the steps carefully and are still experiencing problems with Mail.app, don't hesitate to reach out.

Have further questions? Feel free to post them in the comments below; our community or experts will gladly assist you. We're here to ensure your macOS Mail experience is as smooth as possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide, and good luck with your Mail.app!