Background:
Video Tutorial:
As we all know, Mac Mail is one of the most popular email clients used for Mac OS. It is easy to use and comes pre-installed in the Mac system. However, with the burden of emails, we occasionally need to delete unnecessary or unwanted email addresses. Deleting an email address from Mac Mail is not a challenging task, but it can be a little daunting if you are new to the Mac operating system.
This blog will guide you on how to delete an email address from Mac Mail. We provide you with several methods to delete an email address, and we also offer some necessary attention points.
What’s needed:
To delete an email address from your Mac Mail, you need a computer and a stable internet connection. Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for the version of Mac Mail you are using. Please note that deleting an email address will result in losing all the saved emails of that address.
What requires your attention is…?
Before deleting any email address from Mac Mail, please ensure that all the necessary data has been backed up, and you have taken the necessary measures to prevent the loss of valuable information.
Additionally, when deleting an email address, make sure that you are connected to the internet, and the email account is not in use. Deleting an email address during use may result in data loss or system malfunction.
Method 1: Using the Preferences in Mac Mail
Introduce: This method involves deleting an email address through the Mac Mail preferences.
Steps:
1. Open the Mac Mail app, and click on the “Mail” menu located on the top left corner of the screen.
2. Choose “Preferences” from the drop-down menu, and the Preferences window will appear.
3. Click on the “Accounts” tab, and a list of all the email addresses will appear.
4. Select the email address which you want to delete and click the “-” button located at the bottom of the Accounts tab.
5. A prompt window will appear that asks you to verify if you would want to delete the selected address.
6. Click on the “Delete” button to confirm, then click on the “OK” button to save the changes.
Pros: This method is straightforward, and you do not require advanced technical skills to execute it.
Cons: It may take more time to delete an email address using this method than other methods.
Method 2: Using the Keychain Access
Introduce: This method requires the use of the Keychain Access app, which is a utility in the Mac operating system that stores your login credentials for various applications.
Steps:
1. Open Finder and click on the “Utilities” folder under “Applications.”
2. Locate the “Keychain Access” app and open it.
3. Select "Login" under "Keychains" and "Passwords" under "Category."
4. Locate the email address you want to delete from the passwords list.
5. Right-click on the email address and select “Delete.”
6. A prompt window appears asking if you would like to remove the login item.
7. Click “Delete” to confirm deleting the email address.
Pros: This method deletes all the saved passwords, emails, and login credentials of the email address.
Cons: Deleting the email address using the Keychain Access method may result in data loss of other applications’ login credentials.
Method 3: Using the Terminal
Introduce: This method requires the use of the Terminal App, a powerful utility for Mac OS that allows you to execute commands directly on your computer.
Steps:
1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type in "defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail AccountInfo" (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. Restart the Mail app to ensure that all changes take effect.
Pros: This method has the least impact on login credentials and permissions.
Cons: This method requires advanced technical skills, and executing the wrong command may result in system malfunction.
Why Can’t I Delete An Email Address From Mac Mail?
1. The email address is actively in use, and the Mac Mail app is running.
Fix: Shut down the Mac Mail app and try deleting the email address again.
2. The email address is locked, and the system does not have the proper permissions to delete it.
Fix: Execute the method that uses the Terminal and include the necessary permissions in the command.
3. The email address is required for the system to run or for other applications to function correctly.
Fix: Check the required applications and use the Keychain Access method to delete email address-specific app login credentials.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting an email address from Mac Mail requires attention to ensure that no valuable information is lost. Always back up your data, and ensure that you know the implications of deleting an email address.
We recommend that you use methods that have the least impact on other applications’ login credentials permissions and system functionalities, such as the Keychain Access and Terminal methods.
FAQS
Q: Can I delete multiple email addresses using the same method?
A: Yes, you can delete multiple email addresses using the same Preferences method.
Q: Will deleting an email address delete all the emails in that account?
A: Yes, deleting an email address will result in losing all saved data, including emails, saved passwords, and login permissions.
Q: Can I recover a deleted email address?
A: No, once an email address is deleted, it cannot be recovered. Ensure that you have a backup of all necessary data before deleting an email address.
Q: Can I delete an email address from Mac Mail without using the Mac Mail app?
A: Yes, you can delete an email address using the Terminal and Keychain Access utilities.
Q: Can I delete an email address on Mac Mail without internet connection?
A: No, you require an internet connection to execute the commands or prompt window processes required to delete an email address.
Conclusion
Deleting an email address from Mac Mail is not a daunting task. This article has provided you with methods to delete your email addresses, and we have offered some necessary precautions to prevent the loss of valuable information. Always ensure that you have taken the necessary backup measures and that you are aware of the implications of deleting an email address.