Mac Messages App Wont Open

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When you first set up Messages on your Mac, you're asked to sign in to your iMessage account with your Apple ID. Messages then automatically attempts to sign in every time you open it. Signing in to FaceTime is similar. If either app doesn't sign in successfully, try these solutions.

Check your Internet connection

Mail not launching since macOS Catalina update. This is one of the most common problems people. I have minimised a mail viewer window to the dock. When I click the Mail icon (to the left of the dividing line) it does not bring the viewer window up. I have to click on the actual viewer window (to the right of the line) to see the window and mail messages. This is new, reverts to normal if I close mail and restart, but soon reverts. However, Messages for Mac isn't quite the same app as Messages for iPhone and iPad, with a number of effects left out of this version that have made their way to the mobile app. Using this guide, find out what you can do, what you can't do, and how you can work around some of the limitations of Messages for macOS with other apps and tools. I just updated to Sierra on my Macbook Pro and now the messages app won't open. It just bounces for a few minutes and then when it stops bouncing it isn't opened. When I go to force quit the application it says application not responding. If it's not already set up, you're asked to sign in when you first open the Messages app. Sign in with same Apple ID that you use with Messages on your iPhone and other devices. It's usually the same Apple ID that you use for iCloud, the iTunes Store, the App Store, and the account you created when you first set up your Mac.

Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. You should be able to load web pages or receive email, for example.

Check for a service outage

Check the Apple System Status page for a temporary outage affecting iMessage or FaceTime.

Check your Date & Time settings

  • Choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click Date & Time. Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are correct.
  • If the ”Set date and time automatically” checkbox is selected, deselect it and select it again. (If the checkbox is dimmed, click and enter your administrator password.)

Make sure that your software is up to date

Learn how to update your Mac software. Software updates can improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, and might also resolve the issue.

Check your Apple ID

To make sure that your Apple ID and password are correct, go to the Apple ID account page and sign in with the same Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime. If that works, open the app and take these steps:

  • Messages: Choose Messages > Preferences, then click Accounts. Select your iMessage account, then click Sign Out. Now sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.
  • FaceTime: Choose FaceTime > Preferences. In the Settings tab, click Sign Out. Then sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.

Reset NVRAM

In case the issue is related to any of the settings stored in NVRAM, reset NVRAM on your Mac.

Check for third-party software

If you installed firewall, security, VPN, or other third-party networking software, make sure that the software isn't blocking any of the network ports used by iMessage and FaceTime. If necessary, disable the software and then try using your iMessage account or FaceTime again.

Learn more

Learn what to do if you have other FaceTime issues.


FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.

Why is Mac Mail not working?

Wont

With a new macOS out there, some Mac users have encountered Mac Mail problems following an attempt to update to macOS Catalina.

If you are experiencing any of the problems listed below, we’ve got fixes to get your Mac Mail working as it should. Despite numerous improvements from the previous operating system, there weren't too many changes made to the Mail App in Catalina.

However, there have, and were numerous reports of the app crashing or unexpectedly quitting, which is why fixes and workarounds are currently needed to ensure the Mail app works as it should.

Here are a number of problems and 12 fixes for those who've encountered unexpected issues with Mac Mail.

1. Mail not launching since macOS Catalina update

This is one of the most common problems people keep encountering, and it seems the fix is pretty simple too.

Fix: Launch the Mac Mail app from your Applications

If Mail launches that way, drag the icon out of the Dock. Once that has vanished, drag the icon — a copy of it will be made —back into the Dock. Then close Mail and attempt to open it again via the Dock. Providing that works, your problem is fixed.

Tip: Control + Click the Mail app icon to reveal 'Open' command in the context menu.

2. Mail crashing or running slow

Now, if the above solution doesn't work and Mail is either crashing or running slowly, there are other ways you can get it working smoothly again. No one can be without access to email for too long!

Fix 1: Force Quit the Mail app

Do this the usual way, and if that doesn't work, move onto the next step.

Fix 2: Restart Mail using the Activity Monitor

  1. Go to Activity Monitor through Spotlight, Siri or Utilities.
  2. Type ‘Mail’ into the search function.
  3. Now click on the X symbol to force close.
  4. Attempt to restart the usual way - or take it out of the Dock and put it back in (fix #1), before trying to restart the Mail app.

Mac Messages App Wont Opener

Fix 3: Delete saved Mail states

Mac Messages App Wont Open

If the solutions above don't work, let’s start to clear out some prior-state files on your Mac.

This requires going into your hidden Library folders.

  1. Open Finder > Go to Folder...
  2. Now hold the Option key and Select Library to open these folders.
  3. Find this folder: Containers > com.apple.mail > Data > Library > Saved Application State
  1. Within that, move this folder into Trash: com.apple.mail.savedState
  2. Empty the Trash and try to restart Mac Mail the usual way.

Important: Back up the mentioned folder so you can put it back if something goes wrong.

If that has worked, you can restart Mail and it should be running smoothly. If not, there are other solutions below, and some that don't involve quite so much digging within Library folders and files - which aren't always so easy to find for those who aren't Mac power users.

3. Mail folders missing

In some cases, these problems have caused Mail folders to go missing - without those the app won’t work, so there are solutions to these that most users can manage without too much difficulty to get the Mail app working again.

Fix: Check your Mail Connections

  1. Open the Mail app.
  2. Go to the Window in the top menu and click on Connection Doctor.
  3. This will show whether there are problems with connecting to the Mail app.
  4. Now re-check account settings and delete and re-add your Mail account to reset this.
  5. Your Mail app and every email should be accessible again.

4: Mail app is slow

Sometimes your Mail is slow because it has to deal with tons of open windows buried beneath other apps.

Fix: Merge Mail windows

Specifically for this your email client has a lesser-known command called 'Merge All Windows'.
Click on Mail > Window
Now, choose 'Merge All Windows'
Close the redundant windows to minimize the impact on your Mail's memory. Hopefully, it will get snappier.

5: Mail app junk

As outlined above, there are a number of fixes for Mail not working. Some of them require a certain amount of technical confidence and know-how. It is also worth noting that deleting the wrong folder or file within Library could disable another app accidentally. But, luckily, there's a software that can do all the fixing for you.

Fix 1: Repair Mail settings with CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X is a Mac maintenance app that is notarized by Apple. It's developed by MacPaw, the makers of various productivity tools for Mac. The latest version of CleanMyMac has tools that help you troubleshoot Mail, beyond other things.

  1. Download CleanMyMac X free edition.
  2. Click on Mail Attachments.

Mac Messages App Won't Open Email

Now, if you click Scan, the app will search for unnecessary files in Mail it can delete.

Now open Mail again — it should be working as good as new.

Mac Can't Open App

Fix 2: Reset the Mail App (nuclear option)

One of the quick fixes that works in 99% of the cases is to “reset” the Mail App. I use CleanMyMac X for this operation. It doesn’t delete the program itself but brings it back to its default state. This operation solves many app conflicts and incompatibilities. Also, your user files stay safe and are not being affected.

To enable this feature you need to do one preliminary step: open CleanMyMac X Preferences.

Have you installed CleanMyMac X? Ok, let's go.
Click CleanMyMac X (in the upper menu) > Preferences.
Click on Ignore List and choose Uninstaller.
Uncheck 'Ignore system applications' box.

We've just allowed CleanMyMac X to reset your Mail app.

The reset procedure:

Messages Won't Send On Mac

  1. Launch the Uninstaller tool in CleanMyMac X.
  2. Choose Mail app in the list of Apple apps.
  3. Click on the Uninstall button with arrows — this reveals the Reset button.
  4. Click Reset.

Mac Apps Won't Open

As we mentioned above, CleanMyMac X is a really useful Mac performance improvement app. It comes with a whole load of features and tools that improve how a Mac runs, and can get your Mail app up and running again without stress or it taking very long. Hope you are receiving mail again — stay tuned for more Mac tips.