How to Fix Mail Not Showing Attachments in Mac macOS Sequoia/Sonoma

Key Takeaway: The article provides troubleshooting steps for resolving the issue of Mac Mail not showing attachments, suggesting solutions such as checking internet connection, rebuilding the mailbox, verifying sender actions, updating macOS, and disabling firewall, VPN, and antivirus software if necessary. Following these steps can help resolve attachment visibility problems in Apple Mail on Mac.



Mail App is one of the reliable platforms to exchange conversations; however, it’s not a complete overhaul. As a new issue we recently discovered is Mac mail not showing attachments. Usually, it could be due to the New Mail app UI, corrupted attachments, a bug in mail app, outdated macOS, or a poor internet connection. Luckily, there are several potential ways to fix the issue. And that’s what we will show in the below troubleshooting blog.

How To Resolve Mac Mail Not Showing Attachments

Follow this guide to fix Apple mail not showing attachments on Mac.

1. How To View And Download Mail Attachments On Mac

Are you following the right way to view and download attachments on Mac? Then, cross-check it with the steps mentioned below. 

Step 1: Access the Mail App, and open the Mail with Attachments. Now search for the attachment icon below date of message. Or hover the cursor on the sender detail and then click on the Attach Icon.

see-attachment-in-mail-app-on-mac
see-attachment-in-mail-app-on-mac

Step 2: Click on Save All.

save-all-attachment-from-mac-mail-app
save-all-attachment-from-mac-mail-app

Step 3: Choose Quick look to Preview the attachment without downloading the file.

quick-look-attachment-in-mail-app-on-mac
quick-look-attachment-in-mail-app-on-mac

2. Check Internet Connection

Possibly, the Wi-Fi to which your Mac computer is connected might be corrupted. So first, check the internet speed; if it’s unsteady, connect to an alternative Wi-Fi or Mobile Hotspot.

Conversely, if you don’t find an issue with internet, move forward to the next troubleshooting step. 

3. Rebuild Mailbox

To fix the issue, we are going to rebuild the mailbox. And the best part is the procedure is easy to perform. But before that, backup the data of Mac to prevent losing it. 

Step 1: Access the Apple Mail App and Choose the Inbox of the problematic Mail Account. Next, Click on the Mailbox option from the menu bar. Finally, Tap on Rebuild. However, the procedure will take some time to finish.

Open Apple Mail Box Select Inbox Click Mailbox Tap Rebuild On Mac

Step 2: Click on Mail from the menu bar > Select Settings.

Open Mail Select Setting On Mac 2

Step 3: Click on Accounts and Select the problematic account from the left sidebar.Choose Account Information. Next, Click on the Download Attachment Dropdown. Lastly, set it to All. 

Open Accounts Select Account Information Tap All Download Attachment Dropdown On Mac

4. Check With Sender

It can be the mistake of sender. He or she might not have adequately uploaded the attachment. Conversely, they might forget to attach the files or photos to the mail message. Ask them to cross-check. 

5. Delete the Account And Add It Again

This basic solution will refresh the mailbox and efficiently fix the attachments not showing up issue. Here is how to do it.

Delete Account

Step 1: Open Mail App > Choose Mail from the menu bar > Tap on Accounts.

Open Mail App Select Mail from Menubar Tap Accounts On Mac

Step 2: From the list of Accounts, Select the one you are having an issue with.

Select One Account issue On Mac

Step 3: Lastly, Click Delete Account Button.

Select Problematic Account Click Delete Account Button On Mac

Re-Add Account

Step 1: Open Mail App > Choose Mail from the menu bar > Tap on Accounts.

Open Mail App Select Mail from Menubar Tap Accounts On Mac

Step 2: Select Add Account.

Select Add Account On Mac

6. Check Storage Space On Mac

If there is low storage on Mac, you may not be able to see and download the attachment on Apple Mail. Hence, check the storage first. 

macOS Ventura And Later,

Step 1: Go to Apple Logo. Then, Choose System Settings.

Open Apple Logo Select System Setting On Mac

Step 2: From the left sidebar, Click on General. Next, Select Storage. 

Open General Choose Storage On Mac

Step 3: On the next screen, you will see Storage Bar.

Select Storage On Mac

7. Update macOS

If it’s a software-related bug. Apple will consider it and resolve it through a macOS update. Hence, keeping your device updated to latest macOS is always recommended.

macOS Ventura And Later,

Step 1: Go to Apple Logo > System Settings.

Open Apple Logo Select System Setting On Mac

Step 2: Click on General. Next, Select Software Update. Let the system check for updates, if available. Then, Select Update Now. 

Select General Click Software Update Tap Update Now On Mac

macOS Monterey And Earlier,

  1. Click on Apple Logo.
  2. Select System Preferences…
  3. Choose Software Update. 

Let the system load up the new update; if available, select Update Now.

8. Disable Firewall

The Firewall aspect can protect your Mac computer from unwanted contact initiated when you are connected to the internet. That might be why Attachments not loading on Apple Mail. Thus, it’s to turn off the Firewall on your Mac.

macOS Ventura And Later,

Step 1: Go to Apple Logo > System Settings.

Open Apple Logo Select System Setting On Mac

Step 2: Click on Network. Then,Select Firewall from the right side.

Select Network Click Firewall On Mac

Step 3: Disable the Firewall. 

Disable Firewall On Mac

macOS Monterey And Earlier

  1. Choose Apple Logo.
  2. Select System Preferences…
  3. Click Security And Privacy > Firewall Tab. Then click on the Lock Icon, and enter your Administrator Name And Password. 
  4.  Select Firewall Options…Lastly, tap Turn Off Firewall.

That’s It!

9. Disable VPN

VPN for Mac is best, but there are possibilities where it can prevent Apple Mail from connecting with Apple Server, and thus it ended up with Apple Mail not showing attachments on Mac. So here it’s highly recommended to disable VPN.

10. Disable Antivirus

Antivirus on Mac can prevent mail apps from loading attachments, and it’s great since many attachments contain viruses. But sometimes, it can prevent legitimate files from loading up. 

Bottom Line

Are email attachments not showing on Mac? You can fix it with troubleshooting steps mentioned above in the article. And if they didn’t work for you, it’s time to Contact Apple Support!

Where Are Mail Attachments Stored On Mac?

Attachments are stored in the preferred location you have configured in the Mail Account. To know it, open the Mail App. Select Mail from the menu bar. Choose Settings…(Preferences…). Select any desired from the left sidebar. Choose General. And search Download Folder dropdown. The location mentioned there is where the Attachments are stored. Similarly, you can know where mail is stored on Mac.

How To Send Attachment In Mail Larger Than 25MB

Luckily, Apple Mail allows sharing large files sizing up to 5GB. Here is how to do it.

Step 1: Open Apple Mail. Then,Choose Mail from the menu bar and Select Settings.

Open Mail App Select Mail From Menubar Tap on Settings On Mac

Step 2: Click on Account from the left sidebar. Further, go to Account Tab and Choose the box next to the Send Large Attachments With Mail Drop. 

Click on Accounts Choose the box next to the Send Large Attachments With Mail Drop On Mac

How Do View All Attachments In Mac Mail?

To view all your attachments, access the mail app. Now, select All Inboxes or All Sent. Next, enter Attachment in the top right corner’s search bar. All those messages consuming attachments will appear. 

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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