Where is mail stored on Mac, and how can I find it?

Where is mail stored on Mac, and how can I find it?
I’ve been using the Apple Mail app on my Mac for quite some time now, and I recently started wondering where all my emails are actually stored. While the app is convenient for sending and receiving emails, I’d like to know where the data is physically kept on my computer. Is it stored deep within the system files, or is there a specific folder I can easily access? I’m especially interested in this information because I’m considering backing up my emails manually. If I know the precise location, it will be much easier for me to ensure that all my important messages are safely stored. Additionally, understanding where mail is stored on Mac might help me manage disk space more effectively, as emails and their attachments can accumulate over time and consume a significant amount of storage. Navigating through the different directories on my Mac can be confusing, and I want to make sure I don’t accidentally delete or move something crucial. So, gaining a clear understanding of where mail is stored on Mac would give me peace of mind and better control over this aspect of my digital life.
4 Answers

Finding where Mac Mail stores your emails isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Here’s a detailed breakdown to guide you:
- Navigate to Finder on your Mac.
- From the top of the screen, select ‘Go’ > ‘Go to Folder’.
- Type in
~/Library/Mail
and hit Enter.
Here, Apple Mail saves your data across various subfolders named according to your email accounts and the client version. This structure allows for efficient organization and easy backups if you plan on copying your email data elsewhere.

Apple Mail on a Mac houses its stored emails within the Library directory on your system. For anyone keen on locating it, follow these practical steps:
- Start Finder.
- Navigate to ‘Go’ on the top bar and select ‘Go to Folder’.
- Type out
~/Library/Mail
and press ‘Go’.
Your Mail data is arranged in this folder, often structured by application version (like V6, V7) and by individual account folders, bundling up all your essential emails and attachments efficiently.

To find where your emails are stored on your Mac, follow these simple steps. Apple Mail keeps everything in the ~/Library/Mail
folder. Here’s how to get there:
- Open Finder.
- In the top menu bar, click on ‘Go’.
- Choose ‘Go to Folder’.
- Type
~/Library/Mail
and press ‘Enter’.
This will bring you straight to the folder where all your email data is kept, organized by your various accounts and mailboxes.

To locate where your mail is stored on a Mac, it’s quite straightforward yet feels almost hidden. Apple keeps your data tucked away in the user Library folder, specifically at ~/Library/Mail
. Here’s what you do:
- Bring up Finder.
- Click ‘Go’ from the menu bar.
- Select ‘Go to Folder’.
- Enter
~/Library/Mail
and hit ‘Return’.
Inside, you’ll find folders labeled by your mail app version like V8, V9, etc., with each account neatly sorted within.