Message list keeps shrinking in Mac Mail

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Level 1

4 points

Message list keeps shrinking in Mac Mail

In Mac Mail, I like to be able to see about 7-8 messages in the message list, so I use the mouse to resize the message list. But as of Tahoe, it doesn't stay resized. Every time I close and re-open Mac Mail, the message list shrinks by about 1/2 line, eventually stabilizing when it only shows 4-5 messages. As a result, every few times I open Mac Mail, I have to resize the message list to be the size I want.

Is anyone else seeing this? Is there any reason why Mac Mail keeps changing the layout from what I requested?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Oct 5, 2025 4:30 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

merget Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2025 12:51 PM in response to brbo

I am already on MacOS 26.0.1. I'm not sure whether the problem existed on 26.0.0; it took a while for me to notice that I was resizing the message list once or twice per week. In any event, I first became aware of the issue in 26.0.1.

I just sent a feedback email, using the link you provided. The email was essentially the same as the first paragraph of the basenote in this thread, except that I explained that "close and re-open MacMail" meant that I was clicking the red "X" in the upper-left corner and then clicking the Mail icon in the dock. Which was important info, because I just discovered that the message list does NOT shrink when you close the app by clicking "Mail -> Quit Mail" in the menu bar. This problem seems to be specific to the red-X button and/or "File -> Close" menu.

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Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Nov 6, 2025 8:06 PM in response to merget

Thank you kindly for your reply, for sharing your preferred layout, and the details of the way you use the Mail app. It is good we have these types of customisations available to us, as we each have our own ways of working. Great to know you have that option of keeping Mail windows as you prefer by Quitting Mail instead of closing and re-opening a re-sizable window.

Another option would be to keep the Mail app always open on one desktop window, while using other desktop windows for other apps and tasks. (ie: No closing and opening of windows at all, for the frequently used apps.) Working on multiple desktop-spaces, and just swiping between them, streamlines the workflow for some of us, whereas, of course, that's not everyone's choice. Work in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Oct 7, 2025 5:19 PM in response to merget

Re: Message list keeps shrinking in Mac Mai

If you haven't already done so:

You may want to try updating your MacOS version to MacOS 26.0.1

This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your Mac

(Reminder: It is always wise to back up Mac before updating MacOS )

Else: If you are already using MacOS 26.0.1 and still have the message list issue:

You may want to send feedback to reach those who work on the software behind-the-scenes at Apple. They will likely not reply, yet they do carefully read, and log, all feedback, and if others have a similar issue, we may see an update that addresses it. The more feedback Apple receives on which hardware models and software versions are affected, the more likely we will see an issue is fixed via an update.

Web-form for feedback: Feedback - Mail - Apple

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Answer 4

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Nov 5, 2025 10:13 PM in response to merget

Thank you for keeping us up-to-date.

Pressing Control + Q on the keyboard is the shortcut for clicking "Mail -> Quit Mail" in the menu bar.

or

If you are not already using Mail in "Full Screen" perhaps that may suit you better for now: Eg: Use Mail full screen on Mac - Apple Support

Resource: Mail User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 5

merget Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 6, 2025 10:49 AM in response to brbo

I have no interest in using Mail in full-screen mode. I frequently use Mail in conjunction with other apps, to either copy info between apps and/or compare info in email with something in other apps, which means I want both Mail and the other app(s) to be on the screen at the same time.

That said, it's probably worth mentioning that I set "View->Use Column Layout" and "View->Show Bottom Preview". (I applied those settings so soon after buying my current Mac that I tend to forget there are other layouts.) Most images of a full-screen Mail app show them using "View->Show Side Preview". I don't use that layout because it's just wasted space IMHO. That layout makes the message list tall enough to show about 45-50 messages on my screen, and my inbox almost never has that many messages, so it would mostly be a lot of blank lines. Putting the message list above the preview pane, and resizing the message list to 8 lines or so, allows me to compactly see my entire inbox (once I delete the fluff) as well as a hefty preview pane, while leaving the rest of my screen available for other apps as mentioned above.

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Answer 6

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Oct 10, 2025 3:55 PM in response to merget

Thank you kindly for your thoughtful reply, and for the added info. Good to know you are helping solve the issue by sending precise feedback to Apple's Mail software team. If others using MacMail have this issue too, the more feedback, the better. Cheers :-)

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Answer 7

merget Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 5, 2025 8:50 PM in response to merget

Minor update: The problem still exists in MacOSX 26.1, which I installed today.

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Answer 8

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Nov 5, 2025 10:51 PM in response to merget

Oops ... of course ... that shortcut is Command +Q. Apologies.

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