How to stop Mac Mail from copying emails

I have tried everything to stop Mac Mail from copying emails and nothing works. I need a solution that works and stays working. Thank you.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Oct 17, 2025 12:36 PM

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5 replies

Oct 20, 2025 9:14 AM in response to harperdog

harperdog wrote:

When I am in Mac Mail, and as emails are coming in, there’s a progress bar below saying copying X number of emails. I want that to stop. I don’t need these copies and I can’t find where they are anyway. I appreciate any help, thank you.

When Mac Mail shows a "Copying x of y messages" progress bar, it is syncing an email account and transferring messages. This is a normal part of how the app keeps mailboxes updated, especially for an IMAP

account. I don't understand why you would not want to synchronize the email in your account with your email client on your computer. What is the issue? Do you not want to receive your emails? The emails are in your Mail Inbox unless you have created rules to move them elsewhere.

Oct 20, 2025 7:15 AM in response to harperdog

harperdog wrote:

I have tried everything to stop Mac Mail from copying emails and nothing works. I need a solution that works and stays working. Thank you.

If you have tried "everything" then what else can we add?

Provide some context and details to your issue.

Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple Community

Where are these emails being duplicated?

On what device?

Specific emails or all emails?

Specific account or all email accounts?

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How to stop Mac Mail from copying emails

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