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How to Fix Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails?

  author
Jamie Kaler   Contribution
Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke  Approved By
Published On April 16th, 2025 • 6 min read

Are you frustrated that Apple Mail not receiving emails? This issue can disrupt the workflow and could cause important information to be missed. When you were supposed to get new messages but did not, and you don’t even know about it, it is crucial to identify and resolve the underlying cause. The guide provides a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and fixing Mac Mail not getting emails on macOS.

An Apple Mail user may have encountered the frustrating issue of not receiving emails on a Mac. This can be caused by various factors, but various troubleshooting steps can get the emails back into the inbox folders.

About the Issue: Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails

The issue with Apple Mail not getting emails is a common problem for Mac users. This means users are not receiving the new messages, or they are not appearing in the inbox folder. It can lead to all sorts of complications, like missing important communications, interruptions in your workflow, and, most critically, the risk of losing essential information.

The core of this issue might lie within the system, which we will discuss in this article. This inability to receive emails in Apple Mail can occur due to simple connectivity problems or slower Apple Mail, to more complex issues with account configuration or mail server settings. However, when this occurs, it’s crucial to understand what the causes are and then troubleshoot them accordingly. Find whether the issue is associated with Apple Mail or a broader email account problem.

Check out related solutions: Why is Apple Mail So Slow?

Why & How to Fix Mac Mail Not Getting Emails

We will discuss the reasons along with the solutions to fix the issues with Apple Mail not receiving emails.

1. Check the Internet Connections

Whenever the mail applications have issues regarding updating emails, check the internet connection. If the device is not connected to the internet, you won’t be able to receive emails. Try opening a web browser and navigating to any website to check the connection. If you can’t connect, then you need to troubleshoot your internet connection.

2. Inspect Email Account Settings

When Apple Mail Not Receiving emails, the next step is to check the email account settings. Ensure you enter the email address and password correctly. Also, go to other email settings, such as allowing incoming emails from specific senders or domains.

3. Configure the Mail Account to Fix Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails

Sometimes, trying to remove and re-add the account can resolve multiple issues related to Apple Mail.

  • Go to Mail > Preferences from the menu bar.
  • Click on the Account tab.
  • Choose the account that is not receiving emails and click the (-) button. Confirm removal.
  • Click on the (+) button and re-add the account.
  • Send an email to the account to test.

4. Check Spam folders

Sometimes, the emails might go to the Spam folder due to various reasons. Therefore, check the spam folder if the emails are present there. If you find the emails in the folder, then mark them as not spam to ensure you transfer them into the inbox.

5. Check the Email Filters

If your Mac Mail is still not receiving emails, then check the email filters. The email filters are rules that are created to automatically move emails to a specific folder or to delete Apple Mail emails. You might want to correct the filter if that’s preventing the account from getting into the inbox folder.

6. Go to the Email Account’s Server Settings

The next step is to check the email account server settings. These settings tell Apple Mail how to connect to the server. If the server settings are incorrect, then you won’t be able to receive any emails. If Apple Mail not receiving emails, check the email settings with the following steps:

  • Go to Mail from the top menu and click “Preferences…“.
  • Select the email account that has the issue.
  • Look for “Incoming Mail Server” and “Outlook Mail Server“.
  • Ensure the server names are correct.
  • Check that the entered username and password are correct.
  • Check the port number for both incoming and outgoing servers.
  • Save changes if any changes are made.
  • Try sending and receiving emails.

7. Update Apple Mail

When you are having trouble with the Mac Mail application, one thing to do is to update the email software. Sometimes, Apple Mail may have bugs that prevent the account from receiving emails.

  • Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and choose “System Settings“.
  • Mac will automatically check for available updates.
  • Click on “Update Now” and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Restart the Mac to complete the update process.
  • After the update and restart, open the Mail application.

Check if you are receiving Apple Mail.

Use an advanced method to overcome such issues: If the issues are not resolving, then consider moving the important emails in batches with Apple Mail Converter. It helps to safeguard the emails in a location or another email client, such as Apple Mail to Gmail, as per the preference.

For more details, visit the following articles: Backup Mac Mail to an External Hard Drive

Conclusion

In the write-up, we have discussed all the possible ways to resolve the issue of Apple Mail not receiving emails. The reason might be simple, such as internet connection issues or email settings. Therefore, we are here with complete details on how to overcome Mac Mail not getting any emails in the inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Why am I not receiving emails on my Apple Mail?

A) There are several reasons, including internet connection problems, incorrect email account settings, email filtered into the spam folder, etc.

Q) Is my almost full account preventing me from receiving new emails?

A) If the account is full, your Apple Mail won’t receive emails. That user can delete multiple emails in Apple Mail in batches.