Ventura's Mail.app search does not search by mailbox names

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Level 1

42 points

Ventura's Mail.app search does not search by mailbox names

In Ventura's Mail.app, when I do a search it no longer shows me mailbox names that match my search word. This used to be a very easy way of switching mailboxes. Now I have to display the mailbox names in the sidebar and scroll to the desired mailbox. Ugh.

Example: I want to go to the mailbox "apple & computers". If I type "apple" in the search field, it used to show me the mailbox "apple & computers" as well as other mailbox names that contain the word "apple". This was in addition to all the email messages and addresses and so forth that contain "apple" (this part still seems to work).

Bug or feature? Another example of Apple removing a useful feature for some unfathomable reason?

Thanks,

John

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Nov 15, 2022 01:47 PM

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Answer 1

destiny241

Community Specialist

Nov 17, 2022 02:09 PM in response to John Kelso

Hello John Kelso,

To search for emails in the Mac Mail app, see related steps in: Search for emails in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Search for emails using your own words

When you click in the search field, Smart search suggestions provide recommended searches and show related content.

1. In the Mail app on your Mac, in the toolbar, enter a phrase in the search field (if it’s not shown, click the Search button in the toolbar).

Type what you’re looking for the same way you’d say it (this is called natural language search). Here are some examples:

- from nisha

- from nisha yesterday

- to kevin

- to kevin about remodel

- flagged emails

- PDF attachments

As you type, Smart search corrections improve your results by correcting typos and replacing words with useful synonyms.

2. Press Return.

Mail shows the mailboxes being searched in the toolbar above the message list. If there are no results, select one or more different mailboxes in the Mail sidebar or the Favorites bar.

3. When you’re done, click the Clear button in the search field.

If these steps don't work, then it would be best to contact Apple Support

They'll need to take it from here.

Wishing you well, take care.

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Answer 2

John Kelso Author

Level 1

42 points

Nov 23, 2022 12:29 PM in response to John Kelso

OK- one more time. In Ventura, I search for "reddit". I have a mailbox called "reddit", but the search doesn't give that as an option

In earlier macOS, search would yield results like this:

Choosing the mailbox NetFLix would open the NetFLix mailbox in the current viewing window. A very easy way to change mailboxes; kind of like using Spotlight to start an app. Much easier than scrolling through a long list of mailboxes.

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Answer 3

John Kelso Author

Level 1

42 points

Nov 18, 2022 01:37 PM in response to destiny241

Your answer seems to imply that Mail.app no longer supports changing mail folders by using the search function. I tried typing in "mailbox apple" to see if it would show me an entry with the mailbox named "apple & computers" but it doesn't. I will see if I can find a friend's Mac that hasn't yet been upgraded so I can give you a screen grab of what it used to do. Alas, I've already upgraded the Macs I own...

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Ventura's Mail.app search does not search by mailbox names

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