How to Fix Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck Issue?

Are you experiencing frustration with the Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck error when trying to shift them? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. This common issue can be caused by various factors, but fear not—we’ve got you covered with this troubleshooting guide to help you get your messages moving hassle-free.

The error “Mac Mail Error While Moving Messages to Mailbox” can be frustrating and challenging for users experiencing unresponsive emails. This error typically indicates a situation where the Apple Mail application encounters difficulties in completing the task while moving messages from one folder to another. Understanding the root causes behind this hiccup is the first step towards resolving the issue and restoring the seamless functionality of your email client.

How Does This Error Cause?

The “Apple Mail Stuck on Moving Messages” error is caused by a variety of factors, and understanding these underlying issues is crucial to resolving the problem. Here are some common causes:

1. Messages may get stuck during the move operation due to the inability to establish a consistent connection for the data transfer.
2. Temporary glitches or bugs within the Apple Mail application may lead to the application freezing or becoming unresponsive when attempting to move messages, resulting in the Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck error. 
3. The lack of necessary updates may contribute to errors, including messages getting stuck during the move process.
4. If the mailbox is full or nearly fill up, attempting to move messages may be impeded, leading to delays or the messages becoming stuck.
5. Messages mayn’t move seamlessly due to the misalignment of settings required for proper data transfer. 
6. Corrupted mailboxes may cause messages to get stuck during movement as the application struggles to process data in a compromised environment. 

Identifying the specific cause of the “Mac Mail Stuck Moving Messages” error may involve an elimination process, checking and addressing each potential issue one by one. Now, we will learn how to resolve this error. 

Ways to Resolve  Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck Error 

If you’ve ever been frustrated with messages getting stuck in Apple Mail, don’t worry – we’ve got some straightforward solutions for you. Follow these easy steps to get your email moving smoothly again.

#1. Fix IMAP Account:

• First, open the Mail application on your local screen.
• Then, click on Preferences in the Mail Tab.
• After that, go to the Account Tab in Preferences and select the appropriate Mail Account.
• Further, click on the Server Settings icon, and in the Advanced IMAP Settings, enter “inbox” in the IMAP Path Prefix text box.
• Lastly, choose the Inbox Sub Folder for the mailbox in Mailbox Behaviors.

The issue of messages getting stuck in your Mac Mail should be resolved, and you can move your messages hassle-free.

#2. Rebuild the Mailbox:

• Launch the Apple Mail software on your device.
• From the taskbar, select Mailbox > Rebuild.
• Be patient, as this may take some time, depending on the number of emails in your Inbox or Sent Items.

#3. Repair and Reindex Messages in Mac OS X Mail App:

If you’ve performed the above solutions, still get the same Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck error. Try this approach to figure it out. 

• Exit the mail app and go to the Finder.
• Press command+shift+g and go to /Library/Mail/V2/MailData/.
• Delete all files named Envelope Index (remember to make a backup before deleting).
• Close the MailData Window and relaunch the Mail App to force re-indexing.

#4. Assign Folders:

• Open Apple Mail and choose the folder you want to allocate.
• Scroll down to the email account, click the drop-arrow, and check the Drafts, Sent, Junk, and Trash folders.
• To designate a folder for drafts, click on it once, then click Mailbox > Use This Mailbox As > Drafts Mailbox from the taskbar.

Note: The same process applies to Sent, Junk, and Trash folders.

#5. Delete the Target Folder from iCloud:

• Go to the iCloud website and delete the problematic folder.
• Apple Mail will catch on to the folder removal, showing a new error message.
• This new error message unlocks the situation, allowing you to move your emails without any hassle.
• After this step, clean up the Mail messages that don’t show up in iCloud.

Try moving a smaller batch of emails to check if everything works smoothly. Always back up your data and mailboxes before shifting more emails, just in case.

#6. Delete Envelope Index Files from Mail Data:

• Close the Mail app and open Finder.
• Hold the Option key to reveal the ~Library option.
• Navigate to Mail > V8 (or the older version if applicable) > Mail Data.
• Delete all files starting with “Envelope Index.”
• Clear the Mail app from the library by going to ~/Library/Saved Application State/ and removing com.apple.mail.
• Open the Mail application again on your system and wait for it to finish importing your messages.

#7. Boot Into Safe Mode:

The following section will discuss various ways to boot the system into safe mode. 

1. Steps for Intel CPU Macs:

• Restart your Mac.
• Hold the Shift key while it’s booting up.
• Release the Shift key when the login window appears.
• Log in and check if the Mail issue persists.

2. Steps for Apple Silicon Macs:

• Restart your computer.
• Hold down the power button for 10 seconds during the restart.
• Release the power button when Startup options appear.
• Select your startup disk, press Shift, and pick Continue in Safe Mode.
• Log in and see if the Mail issue is resolved in Safe Mode.

3. Reset the NVRAM:

• Shut down your computer.
• Start your Mac and hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys while it boots up.
• Release the keys after the second startup sound.
• If you have an Apple T2 Security Chip Mac, release the keys after the second appearance and disappearance of the Apple logo.

If you’ve been facing issues with your Apple Mail messages getting stuck, we’ve already discussed solutions for you in this article. However, it’s essential to know that these problems might come back, causing disruptions in your work. Some users even consider switching to other email clients, like MS Outlook, to avoid future troubles. If you’re thinking the same, there’s a user-friendly tool, Cigati Mac MBOX Converter. It can help you with the migration process.

Concluding Words 

While encountering the “Apple Mail Moving Messages Stuck” error can be perplexing, a systematic approach to troubleshooting can often unveil the underlying causes. By exploring network connectivity, software updates, mailbox management, server settings, and other potential issues, users can regain control of their email flow and ensure a more seamless experience with Apple Mail. If all else fails, seeking assistance from Apple Support can provide personalized solutions to address your specific situation. Remember, a little troubleshooting can go a long way in keeping your email communication hassle-free.

You May Also Read: How to Backup Mac Mail to External Hard Drive

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