Overview of Methods to Recover Deleted Emails on Mac
Losing important messages on your MacBook can be distressing, especially if they contain valuable information or sentimental content. Fortunately, macOS provides several methods to Find Recently Deleted Messages on MacBook.
This guide in our blog will walk you through the steps to locate and recover deleted messages from various applications and services on your MacBook.
Check the Trash/Bin Folder for Deleted Emails
Step 1: Open the Mail App on the Mac
- Launch the Mail app from your Dock or Applications folder.
Step 2: Access the Trash/Bin Folder for Recently Deleted Emails
- In the Mail app, locate the sidebar on the left.
- Click on the “Trash” or “Bin” folder. This folder contains emails and messages that have been deleted recently.
Step 3: Search for Deleted Messages and Recover Them
- Browse through the messages in the Trash/Bin folder.
If you find the deleted message you’re looking for, right-click on it and select “Move to Inbox” or drag it to your Inbox folder to restore it.
Recover Emails from Time Machine Backup on Mac
Step 1: Connect Your Backup Drive to the Mac
- Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your MacBook.
Step 2: Open Time Machine and Access Backup Files
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select “System Preferences,” then click on “Time Machine.”
- Click “Enter Time Machine” to start the application.
Step 3: Browse for Deleted Email Messages in the Backup
- Use the timeline on the right side of the Time Machine window to navigate to the date when the message was still present.
- Browse through the Mail folder and locate the deleted message.
Step 4: Restore the Message from Time Machine
- Select the message and click the “Restore” button to recover it.
- The message will be restored to your Mail app.
Related Article: Delete Downloads on MacBook Air
Look for Archived Messages in the Mail App
Step 1: Open the Mail App on the Mac
- Launch the Mail app from your Dock or Applications folder.
Step 2: Check the Archive Folder for Old Emails
- In the sidebar, look for an “Archive” folder.
- This folder might contain messages that were archived rather than deleted.
Step 3: Search and Restore Archived Email Messages
- Browse through the archived messages.
If you find the message you need, move it back to your Inbox by right-clicking and selecting “Move to Inbox” or dragging it there.

Use Email Recovery Tools for Advanced Email Restoration
Step 1: Research and Choose Reliable Email Recovery Tools
- There are several email recovery tools available, such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery, and Stellar Data Recovery.
Step 2: Install and Run the Selected Email Recovery Tool
- Download and install the recovery tool of your choice.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your MacBook for deleted files, including email messages.
Step 3: Follow Steps to Recover the Deleted Email Messages
- Once the scan is complete, review the list of recoverable files.
- Select the messages you want to recover and follow the tool’s instructions to restore them.
After you have restored the email messages, you can go ahead and Clear DNS Cache on your Macbook.
Restore Messages via iCloud Backup
Step 1: Access iCloud Mail on Your Mac
- Open your web browser and go to iCloud.com.
- Log in with your Apple ID.
Step 2: Open the Mail App in iCloud
- Click on the “Mail” app within iCloud.
Step 3: Check the Trash/Bin Folder in iCloud for Deleted Emails
- In the iCloud Mail interface, locate and open the “Trash” or “Bin” folder.
- Look for the deleted messages and restore them by dragging them back to your Inbox or another folder.
Contact Your Email Provider for Help
Step 1: Gather Necessary Information About Your Account
- If you use an external email service (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook), gather your account details and a description of the issue.
Step 2: Reach Out to Support for Email Recovery Assistance
- Visit the support page of your email provider’s website.
- Contact their customer support team via email, phone, or live chat to request assistance with recovering deleted messages.
Conclusion: Recovering Deleted Emails on Mac
Recovering recently deleted messages on your MacBook is possible through several methods. Whether you check your Trash/Bin folder, use Time Machine, look for archived messages, or employ email recovery tools, you have options to restore your important communications.
For those who use iCloud or an external email provider, recovery is also feasible via their respective interfaces or support services. You can even Recover Emails from your iPhone Easily.
By following these steps, you can enhance your chances of retrieving lost messages and avoid the stress of permanent data loss. Regular backups and careful management of your emails can further prevent such issues in the future. Make sure to give ARZ Host a visit.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1: How can I find recently deleted messages in the Messages app on my MacBook?
To locate recently deleted messages in the Messages app, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Messages app on your MacBook.
- Check if there is an “Archived” or “Deleted” folder in the sidebar. Messages app doesn’t typically have a “Recently Deleted” folder, but some users might have custom solutions or third-party apps that manage deleted messages.
- If the messages are not there, they may be permanently deleted, as the Messages app does not have a native “Recently Deleted” feature.
2: Is there a way to recover deleted messages from iCloud on my MacBook?
Yes, you can recover deleted messages from iCloud if you have backups:
- Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud.
- Ensure that Messages are enabled in iCloud.
- Check your iCloud backup settings on your other devices (iPhone or iPad) to see if the messages are available.
If the messages are backed up, you may need to restore your MacBook or the relevant device from an iCloud backup that contains the deleted messages.
3: Can I recover deleted messages using Time Machine?
Yes, if you use Time Machine for backups:
- Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your MacBook.
- Open Time Machine from the Applications folder.
- Navigate to the date when you last had the messages.
- Browse to the Messages app’s data folder, usually found in ~/Library/SMS.
- Restore the specific files or folders containing the deleted messages.
4: How can I check if my deleted messages are in the Trash folder on my MacBook?
The Messages app does not have a Trash folder for messages, but if you deleted files or attachments:
- Open Finder.
- Go to the Trash folder in the sidebar.
- Look for any files that might be associated with your messages. This is more relevant for attachments rather than text messages.
5: What should I do if I accidentally delete a message but don’t have a backup?
If you don’t have a backup, recovering deleted messages can be challenging. Here are a few tips:
- Check if the messages are still on your other Apple devices that sync with the same iCloud account.
- Contact Apple Support for assistance, though recovery without a backup might be limited.
- Regularly back up your data to prevent future loss.
6: How can I use third-party software to recover deleted messages on my MacBook?
Several third-party software options can help recover deleted messages:
- Download and install data recovery software such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Tenorshare UltData.
- Follow the software’s instructions to scan your MacBook for deleted files.
- If the software finds the deleted messages, follow the prompts to recover them.
7: Can I recover deleted messages from a macOS system crash or reinstallation?
If your MacBook experienced a system crash or reinstallation and you didn’t have a backup:
- Check if any recovery software or service was used to back up your data before the crash.
- Look for any available Time Machine backups or iCloud backups that may contain the messages.
- If neither is available, recovering deleted messages might be difficult without previous backups.
8: How can I prevent accidental deletion of messages on my MacBook?
To avoid losing important messages in the future:
- Enable iCloud Backup for Messages to ensure they are synced and backed up across devices.
- Regularly back up your MacBook using Time Machine or other backup solutions.
- Consider using a dedicated email service for critical messages to ensure they are archived properly.
These steps should help you manage and recover recently deleted messages on your MacBook, although prevention and regular backups are key to minimizing data loss.
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