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Clear Mail app logs

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on macOS.

These changes use Mac system commands to update your settings.

This script deletes the log files of the Mail app.

The logs are stored at $HOME/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail 1 2 3. These logs may contain details of every connection made by the Mail app 1 3. These logs can grow significantly in size, particularly when connection activity logging is enabled 1 3. This growth can reduce system performance and Mail app responsiveness 2.

Deleting these logs protects the privacy of your email interactions by removing records of connection details. Additionally, deleting these logs frees up space, resolves various performance issues, and prevents the Mail app from freezing 2. This also enhances the overall stability of the operating system.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details
  • Language: bash

  • Required Privileges: Administrative (sudo) access

  • Compatibility: macOS only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories

This action belongs to Clear system and app logs category. This category includes scripts that delete various operating system logs. These logs document system operations, user activities, application behavior, and errors. While essential for debugging and monitoring, these logs contain sensitive information and pose privacy risks. Deleting these logs:... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Clear Mail app logs.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Terminal app

  2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes
# Clear directory contents: "$HOME/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail"
glob_pattern="$HOME/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Logs/Mail/*"
rm -rfv $glob_pattern
  1. Paste the code into terminal.
  2. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

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