How to Migrate from Apple Mail to Airmail

Problem

You want to switch from Apple Mail to Airmail and need help migrating your email setup.

Before You Start

Since email is stored on the server (IMAP), there's nothing to "transfer" — Airmail will download your emails from the same server. You just need to set up your accounts.

Step 1: Note Your Account Details

1. Open Apple Mail → Mail → Settings → Accounts
2. Write down each account (Gmail, iCloud, Outlook, etc.)
3. Note any custom server settings if using IMAP/POP manually

Step 2: Set Up Accounts in Airmail

1. Open Airmail
2. Click + to add an account
3. Select your email provider (Gmail, iCloud, Outlook, etc.)
4. Sign in with your credentials
5. Repeat for each account

Step 3: Recreate Your Setup

• Signatures — Set up your signatures in Airmail Settings → Signatures
• Rules — If you used Apple Mail rules, recreate them in Airmail Settings → Rules. Note: Server-side rules (Gmail filters) carry over automatically
• VIP Contacts — Re-add VIP contacts in Airmail

Step 4: Set Airmail as Default

1. Go to System Preferences → General → Default email reader (macOS Monterey or earlier)
2. Or System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Default email reader (macOS Ventura+)
3. Select Airmail

Tips

• Let Airmail fully sync before judging performance — initial sync takes time
• Apple Mail and Airmail can coexist — no need to delete Apple Mail
• Local-only Apple Mail folders won't appear in Airmail; move those emails to an IMAP folder first