Icons in Mail 16.0 Toolbar Disappeared - Mail Damaged?

Mail 16.0: The Icons in the toolbar at the top of the Mail program window disappeared (but the text is still there) and the reply, trash and forward buttons as well. The only way to reply, trash and forward messages is with the invisible automatic icons for this in the message header. Is there some way to fix this?


Time Machine won't restore the Mail app to an older undamaged version. I can't figure out how to get a new copy from the App Store.


Is there some way to fix this? Is there a way to reinstall an undamaged version without getting the whole OS?

iMac 21.5″, 12.6

Posted on Feb 21, 2023 1:31 PM

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Feb 21, 2023 2:24 PM in response to Warrren Anderson

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<


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Feb 21, 2023 2:10 PM in response to Warrren Anderson

with Apple Mail Open


Main Tool Bar of Mail >> View.


Look downwards for Customize Tool Bar


Re-Add the missing icons


Correct, Time Machine Backup will not restore a pervious functional version of Mail


TM Backup since Catalina only backs up the User Account ( Home Folder )


To resort mail, one would have to reboot in Recovery Mode and choose to Re-Install macOS





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Feb 21, 2023 2:20 PM in response to Warrren Anderson

Thanks, this looks right. Unfortunately it doesn't work. Dragging the icons into the tool bar does nothing. The cursor turns into a green plus sign but the toolbar doesn't accept the drop. I never changed this, Mail did it on its own. I'll keep trying.

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Feb 21, 2023 2:23 PM in response to Warrren Anderson

Warrren Anderson wrote:

Thanks, this looks right. Unfortunately it doesn't work. Dragging the icons into the tool bar does nothing. The cursor turns into a green plus sign but the toolbar doesn't accept the drop. I never changed this, Mail did it on its own. I'll keep trying.

That is a first I have seen since using OSX / macOS since about 2004 with OS X 10.4 Tiger

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Icons in Mail 16.0 Toolbar Disappeared - Mail Damaged?

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