How to fix Mail quit unexpectedly Apple issue

Mac mail crash? Say goodbye to unexpectedly exit!

Have you ever experienced the dilemma of Apple Mail accidentally exiting after writing a long email? Mac app crashes are not only inefficient, but may also indicate potential performance issues and even malware infections. So instead of writing emails in a text editor to avoid risks, learn how to solve the "Mail accidental exit" problem. We will help you.

Why does my Mail exit unexpectedly?

This is indeed a good question. While there are many ways to try to fix this, you can solve the problem faster if you understand its root cause. What is the reason behind the "Mail's unexpected exit"? Is it a Mac system error, file corruption or malware? Let's take a look at the most common reasons:

• Application outdated: You may need to update Mail to make it work properly.
• macOS error: Is your Mac running macOS beta or newly released macOS? Early macOS errors were very common.
• Account failure: Your Mail application may be fine, but an email account crashes.
• Corrupted preference file: A corrupt preference file may cause abnormal behavior of the Mail application.
• Malware: You may accidentally download malicious files or programs to your Mac.

Causes of unexpected exit of Mail	Solution
Malware Threat	Use CleanMyMac to scan your Mac for malware.
Mailing list needs to be refreshed	Rebuild your mailbox via the Mail application menu > Mailbox > Rebuild.
Issues with specific email accounts	Re-enable your email account. Go to System Settings > Internet Accounts > Select Email Account > Close Mail.
Mail application needs to be updated	Install and open CleanMyMac > Applications > Manage My Applications > Update Programs > Select Applications > Update.
Corrupted preference file	Find and delete com.apple.mail.plist and com.apple.mail-shared.plist.plist.apple.mail-shared.plist.
Mail's cache folder error	Finder>Go to>Go to Folder>Type ~/Library/Saved Application State>Go to>Delete the folder named com.apple.mail.savedState.
Mac system failure	Start in safe mode. For Intel Mac: Turn off Mac > Press and hold the power button Shift > Log in. For Apple Silicon Mac: Turn off the Mac > Press and hold the power button > select Startup Disk > Hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode.
Network connection issues	Use WiFi Explorer to scan and fix connection issues.
Mail Exit Problem	Use Canary Mail or Spark Mail as an alternative.

Farewell to email crash! If the Mail app continues to crash, it's time to try Spark Mail. Enjoy a stable, smooth email experience, along with advanced features available on Setapp. Free trial, safe and reliable!

How to fix the "Mail unexpected exit" issue

Whether your Mac Mail crashes repeatedly or is encountering this for the first time, there is a way to fix this. Please follow the steps below.

Check for malware

CleanMyMac has built-in malware scanning, so you don't need to install any expensive antivirus software or send your Mac to a nearby repair center. Just click a button to view the results:

1. Open CleanMyMac via Setapp.
2. Select "Protection" and click "Scan".
3. If CleanMyMac discovers any malware threats, click "Remove" to clear it.

Rebuild your email

This is a great trick for those who still have access to the Mail app after quitting. Rebuilding the mailbox is actually used to retrieve all emails and attachments from the mail server. It is also considered an effective troubleshooting solution to the Apple Mail unexpected exit problem. Because it refreshes your email list, it prevents Mail from logging out.

Here is how to rebuild your mailbox:

1. Open Mail on your Mac.
2. In the menu, select Mailbox.
3. Scroll down and click Rebuild.

Disable and re-enable email account

The problem might be on one of your email accounts, not on the Mail app itself. Fortunately, there is a convenient shortcut to disable and re-enable email accounts, which may fix the issue of Mail logout. Here is how to use it:

1. Open System Settings and select "Internet Account".
2. Select an account.
3. Close Mail.

Once one of the accounts is disabled, go back to Mail and check if it is running better now. If it doesn't work, you can re-enable your account and proceed with further troubleshooting.

Update the Mail app

It is common for Mail to exit unexpectedly on Mac because it is outdated or incompatible with the current macOS system. Simple Mail app updates will help.

You can update Mail by updating macOS (System Settings > General > Software Updates) – but this can take a while. Unfortunately, for system applications like Mail, this is the only option.

A faster way to update other applications on your Mac (even multiple applications at once) is to use CleanMyMac:

1. In CleanMyMac, navigate to "Apps" and click "Scan".
2. Click "Manage My Apps > Update Programs".
3. Select the application you want to update and click "Update".

One thing we like about CleanMyMac is that it allows you to read new features of the app before updating it. This is a one-stop updater section that makes app updates very convenient!

Delete the preference file

You can manage some settings, and some hidden behind the scenes. Preference files save instructions on how the application works, which means that if these files are corrupted, your application may start to have abnormal behavior.

If Mail continues to crash on Mac, try to delete its preferences file:

1. Open Finder.
2. Click "Go" in the menu.
3. Select Go to Folder.
4. Type the following path: ~/Library/Preferences and click "Go".
5. Find the files named com.apple.mail.plist and com.apple.mail-shared.plist and delete them.

Deleting the preferences file will basically reset your Mail app. We like this approach because it helps reset application defaults and fix many annoying issues. You can reset your application immediately with CleanMyMac without digging into your preferences:

1. Open CleanMyMac.
2. Click "Applications>Scan".
3. Click "Manage all applications>Uninstall programs".
4. Select the application you want to reset and click the Show arrow.
5. Select all items except binary files.
6. Click "Remove".

Delete the folder saved by Mail

An important symptom you should be aware of is: Did your Apple Mail exit unexpectedly when it first opened, or would it exit randomly? If it tends to exit immediately after opening, there may be a problem with Mail's save folder (a special cache folder responsible for reopening the Mail application after you exit).

Delete saved folders to prevent Mail from quitting unexpectedly:

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu, select "Go to > Go to Folder".
3. Type ~/Library/Saved Application State/ and click "Go".
4. Delete the folder named com.apple.mail.savedState .

Restart your Mac

The Apple issue with "Mail unexpected exit" could be a Mac system failure and can be fixed with a simple computer restart. Sounds too easy? Don't ignore it before trying it!

Start in safe mode

Another way to try is to restart your Mac in safe mode. This helps prevent all third-party software from interfering with your system processes, repairing your hard drive and clearing caches. This may be what you need to fix the Mail issue.

Here is how to boot in safe mode if Apple Mail exits unexpectedly on an Intel Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Press and hold the Shift key of the power button until you see the login screen.
3. Log in and try using Mail.

Here's how to boot in safe mode on an Apple Silicon Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button until you see the screen with the boot option.
3. Select your boot disk.
4. Press and hold the Shift key while continuing in Safe Mode.
5. Check if Mail is running better now.

Run network check

The quality of network connections is an important factor in Mail applications. If the connection is unstable, you will have issues such as email not being updated to your inbox, or worse, unexpected Mail exits. The easiest way to check a 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. If your current network is not working properly, switch to another network.

If you are not a Setapp subscriber and cannot access WiFi Explorer, try disabling and enabling Wi-Fi, forgetting your current network, and checking if your email account is online (Mail Menu > Mailbox > Set All Accounts Online).

Try an alternative email client for Mac

Apple Mail exited unexpectedly and you can't fix it? Think of it as a signal to the universe, it's time to try some alternatives! There are many advanced email clients designed for Mac. Let's take a look at our favorites.

Canary Mail is a security-focused email client with an AI assistant designed for Mac and iPhone. Its top encryption and SecureSend features allow you to revoke emails or set their expiration date. You will also like its interface, from email templates to pinned emails to press release management.

Alternatively, we recommend you try Spark Mail. It is a desktop email client designed to improve your relationship with your email. It supports Gmail, Outlook, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo! Mail, Exchange, and IMAP email accounts, so it may work with any email you have.

Spark Mail is full of features designed to make emails more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Almost every application now has hibernation and delayed sending capabilities, but Spark goes a step further. Command Center (accessed with Command K) allows you to quickly navigate your email account and learn keyboard shortcuts. The new home screen hides your inbox for a set time period so you won't be distracted by a lot of emails. You can also pre-filter new senders so that senders you don't want to hear messages won't clog your inbox. There is even a smart sorting feature that organizes your inbox by automatically placing notifications and press releases in their own silos, and is able to prioritize your different contacts and group all messages.

Mail on Mac unexpectedly exits – quickly fix it

We love the way Apple keeps updating and improving Mail. Recent macOS versions bring improved security features, hiding my emails, undoing sends, and many other important Mail enhancements. That's why the "Mail exited unexpectedly" Apple issue is so frustrating.

Setapp is an app subscription service for macOS and iOS, with many apps that can help fix Mail issues and even provide you with alternative email clients. Sign up for a free trial to get instant access to WiFi Explorer, CleanMyMac, Canary Mail, Spark Mail, and dozens of other useful tools, all in one place.

FAQ

Why does my Mail keep crashing on my Mac?

Common causes include receiving a damaged email, a faulty attachment, or an application that needs to be updated. Consider checking for software updates, deleting problematic emails, or resetting application settings to resolve the issue. Or, use Canary Mail or Spark Mail.

How to fix the problem of unexpected quit on Mail on Mac?

Use CleanMyMac to scan for malware threats, disable and re-enable your email account, or exclude potentially corrupted preference files by deleting com.apple.mail.plist and com.apple.mail-shared.plist in your Mac folder. These files can be found in Preferences under the Library folder.

Why is my email stop receiving on my Mac?

Due to several common issues, emails may stop receiving on your Mac, including unreliable internet connection, outdated software, temporary interruptions from email providers, or misconfigured email settings. Checking these factors can help you identify and resolve problems.

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