How to fix Mail quit unexpectedly Apple issue

imagine you just wrote a ridiculously long email… and apple mail unexpectedly quits. apps crashing on mac are not only counterproductive but can also indicate some underlying mac performance issues or even malware. That’s why, instead of writing all your emails in a text editor to avoid the risks, we recommend that you learn how to solve apple mail crash issue. we will help

why does my email close unexpectedly?

fair question. there are so many things you can do to try to fix the problem, but you’ll be able to fix it much faster if you know what’s behind it. so why does my mail close unexpectedly? mac bug? damaged files? malware? — let’s see the most common reasons:

• application outdated. you may need to update your mail for it to work properly.
• macOS errors. is your mac running a beta version of macos or a newly released macos by any chance? early macos bugs are very common, here are more.
• account problems. your mail app may be fine, but a certain email account fails.
• corrupt preferences files could cause the mail application to misbehave.
• malware. maybe you have accidentally downloaded a malicious file or program on your mac.

let’s see how you can solve each of these problems step by step.

how to fix “mail closed unexpectedly” problem

Whether your mac mail crashes repeatedly or it’s something you’re encountering for the first time, there’s a way to make this problem a thing of the past. follow these steps.

check malware

cleanmymac x has a built-in malware scanning feature, so you don’t have to install any expensive antivirus software or take your mac to the nearest service center. just press a button and see the results:

1. open cleanmymac x via setapp
2. choose malware removal and click scan
3. if cleanmymac x finds malware threats, click remove to get rid of them.

rebuild mailboxes

This is a great tip for those who can still access their mail app after signing out. mailbox rebuild is essentially used to retrieve all your emails and attachments from the mail server. It is also known as an effective troubleshooting method for apple mail crash issue. because you update your email list, you can prevent mail from being closed.

Here’s how to rebuild mailboxes:

1. open mail on mac
2. in the menu select mailboxes
3. scroll down and click rebuild.

disable and re-enable email accounts

There could be a problem with one of your email accounts, not the mail app itself. Luckily, there’s a handy shortcut to disable and re-enable email accounts, which might fix the problem of leaving mail. this is how it is used:

1. open system preferences and choose internet accounts
2. choose account on the left sidebar
3. uncheck mail on the right.

Now that you’ve disabled one of the accounts, go back to the mail and see if it works better now. If that doesn’t work, you can re-enable the account and continue troubleshooting.

update mail app

It is very common for mail to crash on mac because it is outdated or incompatible with the current macos system. a simple update of the mail app will help.

you can update mail by updating your macos (about this mac > software update), but it may take a while. unfortunately, with system apps like mail, that’s the only option.

a faster way to update other apps on mac, and even multiple apps at once, is to use cleanmymac x:

1. in cleanmymac x, navigate to the updater
2. choose see all updates
3. select the apps you want to update and click update.

We love that cleanmymac x also allows you to read what’s new in the app before updating. a comprehensive update section that makes app updates so convenient!

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remove preferences files

There are settings you can manage, and then there are the ones that are hidden under the hood. preferences files contain the instructions on how your applications should work, which means that if these files are damaged, your applications could start acting strange.

if mail keeps crashing on mac, try deleting your preferences files:

1. open finder
2. click go in the menu
3. choose go to folder
4. type the following path: ~/library /preferences and click go
5. locate the files named com.apple.mail.plist and com.apple.mail-shared.plist and delete them.

clearing preferences files basically resets your mail application. we love this method because it helps to reset the app to defaults and fix many annoying issues. you can instantly reset your 3rd party apps without digging into preferences with cleanmymac x:

1. open cleanmymac x > uninstaller
2. click view all apps
3. select the app you want to reset and click the show arrow
4. select preferences (you can also select all binaries and compatible files for deeper cleanup)
5. change uninstall to reset
6. click delete button.

delete saved mail folder

here’s an important symptom to look for: does your apple mail quit unexpectedly when you first open it, or is it rather random? if it tends to close immediately after opening, there may be a problem with your mail’s saved folder, a special cache folder responsible for reopening your mail app after you close it.

remove the saved folder to prevent mail from closing unexpectedly:

1. open finder
2. in the menu, select go > go to the folder
3. type ~/library/saved application state/ and click go
4. delete the folder named com.apple.mail.savedstate.

reboot your mac

apple problem “mail closed unexpectedly” could be a mac bug that can be fixed with a simple restart of the computer. sounds too easy? don’t dismiss it until you try it!

boot into safe mode

Another thing you can try is restarting your mac in safe mode. It helps prevent all third-party software from interfering with your system processes, repairs your hard drive, and clears caches. this could be just what you need to fix your mail problem.

Here’s how to boot into safe mode if apple mail quits unexpectedly on an intel mac:

1. turn off your mac
2. press and hold the power button + shift until you see the login screen
3. log in and try using mail.

Here’s how to boot into safe mode on an apple silicon mac:

1. turn off your mac
2. press and hold the power button until you see the startup options screen
3. choose your startup disk
4. press and hold shift while clicking continue in safe mode
5. check if mail works better now.

run a network check

The quality of the network connection is an important factor when it comes to the mail application. if the connection is unstable, you will have problems like emails not updating in your inbox or worse, email quitting unexpectedly. the easiest way to inspect your network connection is as follows:

1. open wifi explorer via setapp
2. find your current network and click on it
3. go to network details and look for warning signs: maybe your network shares a channel with too many other networks, or the signal quality is too low
4. please switch to a different network if the current one is not working properly.

if you are not a setapp subscriber and you can’t access wifi explorer, try disabling and enabling wi-fi, forget your current network and check if your email account is online (mail menu > mailbox > take all accounts online).

try alternative email clients for mac

apple mail quits unexpectedly and you can’t fix it? take it as a sign from the universe that it’s time to try some alternatives! There are a lot of advanced email clients designed specifically for the Mac. Let’s take a look at our two favorites.

If security is one of the key aspects when choosing an email client, choose canary mail. its top-notch encryption and secure sending feature allow you to revoke emails or set them to expire. You’ll also love the interface, from email templates to pinned emails and newsletter management.

if you’re a fan of a neat and organized inbox, give newton a try. There’s a stellar Inbox Sort feature that allows you to prioritize your inbox and sort it automatically. With Newton on your Mac and iPhone, you can also snooze emails, catch up on emails you’ve missed using a summary section, get notified when a recipient opens your email, and more.

mail quits unexpectedly on mac; fix it fast

we love how apple keeps updating and refining mail. recent versions of macos brought improved security, hide my email, undo send, and tons of other major mail improvements. This is why the apple “mail closed unexpectedly” problem feels so frustrating.

setapp, an app subscription service for macos and ios, hosts many apps that can help you fix mail problems and even provide you with an alternative email client. Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to WiFi Explorer, CleanMyMac X, Newton, Canary Mail and dozens of other useful tools all in one place.