How to Refresh Mail on Mac and Fix Sync Issues Fast
When Apple Mail stops updating, it’s more than just annoying—it can mess with your productivity, delay important communication, and leave you scratching your head.
Whether you’re not receiving new messages, stuck with an outdated inbox, or simply wondering why Mail feels off, we’ll put you back on track.
This article will walk you through easy ways to refresh Apple Mail, troubleshoot syncing issues, optimize your setup, and even explore smarter email apps like Mailbird. You'll also get a handy checklist and an FAQ to keep your inbox happy and humming.
Is Apple Mail not updating or just delayed?
Let’s start by figuring out whether the issue is a full sync failure or just a minor delay. Yes, there’s a difference—and knowing which one you’re dealing with can point you to the right solution faster.
If your inbox is suspiciously quiet or you haven’t seen new messages in a while, check the Connection Doctor (Window > Connection Doctor) for sync activity. If you see red lights or disconnected servers, your Mail app is struggling to connect. But if it shows all green, the issue could be delay-related—slow Internet connection, low battery mode, or background app restrictions.
Sometimes Mail just needs a little push. Other times, it’s waving a white flag.
Quick manual refresh methods you can try right now
Here are the fastest ways to manually refresh Apple Mail when it’s not updating:
- Use the envelope icon: Click the small envelope icon in the toolbar. It’s your manual “refresh” button, even if it’s not labeled that way.
- Try the keyboard shortcut: Press Shift + Command + N to instantly fetch new mail across all accounts.
- Quit and reopen the app: Don’t force quit—just close the app normally via Mail > Quit Mail, wait a few seconds, and open it again. This can reset the sync flow without breaking things.
Fix the root causes of email not updating
If manual refresh methods don’t work, you’re likely dealing with a more persistent issue. So, let’s get under the hood and fix what’s really going on.
- Internet or Wi-Fi issues: Use WiFi Explorer to run a network scan and check signal strength or interference.
- Email account offline: In Mail, right-click your account in the sidebar and choose Take Account Online.
- Login or credential errors: Go to Mail > Settings > Accounts and verify your username, password, and IMAP server details.
- Incorrect Fetch settings: In Settings > General, set Check for new messages to Every minute or Automatically for best results.
Review and reset Mail sync settings
Let’s make sure your sync settings aren’t causing problems.
- Sidebar account status: A greyed-out account name means it’s offline. Bring it online manually.
- Fetch vs. Push configuration: Push syncs in real time (if supported); Fetch checks on a schedule. Gmail, for example, only supports Fetch in Apple Mail.
- IMAP and SMTP details: Make sure you’re using the latest port numbers and security settings recommended by your email provider.
Advanced fixes: Rebuild or reset Apple Mail
Tried all of the above and still not seeing new emails? Don’t worry, you’ve got more tools.
- Rebuild your mailbox: Select your inbox, then click Mailbox > Rebuild. This will refresh stored emails and metadata.
- Clear cache via CleanMyMac: Use CleanMyMac > Applications > Scan to find and remove cached support files for the Mail app. This often fixes stubborn sync problems.
- Reset preferences: Navigate to
~/Library/Preferences/, and deletecom.apple.mail.plist(and similar files). Be careful—this resets all your Mail settings.
Optimize sync frequency to prevent future issues
To avoid encountering this problem again and keep your inbox running smoothly, change how Mail retrieves and syncs email.
- Set Fetch interval to “Every Minute”: Go to Mail > Settings > General and update the sync frequency.
- Avoid battery-saving modes: Low Power Mode and aggressive energy-saving settings can restrict background refreshes in Mail.
- Limit active email accounts: Too many accounts can slow sync down. Stick to what you need, and archive or delete old messages regularly.
The ultimate checklist: Fixing “emails not updating” on Mac
Here’s a handy checklist to follow when your Mail app isn’t working:
- Click the envelope icon or press Shift + Command + N.
- Quit and reopen the Mail app properly.
- Run a Wi-Fi test with WiFi Explorer.
- Make sure your email account is “Online”.
- Check email login credentials.
- Set Fetch interval to “Every Minute”.
- Review IMAP/SMTP settings and correct ports.
- Rebuild your mailbox if syncing is still broken.
- Use CleanMyMac to clear Mail’s cached data.
- Consider switching to Mailbird for a smarter, faster experience.
When to move on: Try a smarter email client for Mac
Still stuck? It might be time to switch to a better email app.
Why Mailbird is the smarter choice
- Unified inbox to easily manage all your email accounts.
- Lightning-fast syncing and built-in calendar.
- AI assistant for drafting, organizing, and replying.
- Native support for Slack, WhatsApp, Trello, and more.
- Fully optimized for Mac with a gorgeous and modern UI.
If you’ve decided that Apple Mail isn’t meeting your needs, switching to a more efficient email client could be the solution. Here’s how you can change your default mail app on Mac to get started.
Final thoughts
When Apple Mail stops updating, it can feel like your digital life is on hold. But with the right mix of quick action, advanced fixes, and smarter alternatives, you’ll have your email flowing in no time.
FAQ: Common questions about email not updating on Mac
Why is my email not updating in Apple Mail?
You may be facing Internet connection issues, outdated login credentials, app cache problems, or faulty sync settings.
Is there a refresh button in Apple Mail?
Yes. Click the envelope icon in the toolbar or press Shift + Command + N to manually refresh all mail accounts.
Why does Apple Mail stop loading messages?
It might be due to a corrupted mailbox, bad Wi-Fi, or incorrect IMAP settings. Rebuilding the mailbox or clearing your cache often helps.
How can I make Apple Mail refresh more frequently?
In Mail settings, set “Check for new messages” to “Every minute.” You can also use email clients with Push sync support for real-time updates.
