Spam filter malfunction. Cannot turn off.

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Level 1

8 points

Spam filter malfunction. Cannot turn off.

Hello. The spamfilter on Macbook is malfunctioning, and is putting highly important email into the spam folder. I have filed a bug report to Apple about this long time ago. Sent a bunch of examples. But same problem still, after lots of upgrades. The only solution is to turn it off completely, but even that setting is not working. Below is my current setting. Think I'll tried them all, but feel free to suggest. Its been like this "forever", across macbooks.

No, it does not help to be in the contact list. Even emails from myself are marked as spam sometimes.

Ironically I have made my spam folder my favorite, next to my inbox. Thats my workaround for now.

Anything better?

Is there a way in the terminal to kill this feature completely? Cron job?

If not I must get another Email software or go to Linux.

Thanks.

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

6x6

Level 6

19,245 points

Nov 6, 2025 11:13 AM in response to finnove

The spam detection might not come from those settings but either from your email provider or from the Mail Rules on your Mac.

To test the 1st case, go to the webmail site of your provider and send yourself a few emails.

For the 2nd case, in Mail go to Mail > Settings > Rules and see if there is any rule that would cause the issue.

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

19,245 points

Nov 6, 2025 11:15 AM in response to finnove

Addendum: I just saw in your 2nd screenshot that you are using iCloud Mail. For iCloud, move the emails in the spam folder back to the inbox. This will tell iCloud that the senders are safe. (You may have to repeat it a few times for iCloud to “learn”.)

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,196 points

Nov 6, 2025 1:48 PM in response to finnove

You can create a new mailbox titled "Important" or whatever and create a new rule in Mail's settings to move emails from the specific senders to the Important mail box.

Then create a new Smart Mailbox for those emails located in the Important mailbox. It's easier to find as it's in the top area of Mail's sidebar.

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Answer 4

finnove Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2025 8:01 AM in response to leroydouglas

I do not use hide my email.

From what I have read in other threads, this seem to be the conclusion:

Not solvable

iCloud does its own thing with spam filtering.

Its not possible to change the behaviour.

MacBook settings have no effect on iCloud spam filtering.

The only solution would be to use another email provider than Apple.

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2025 12:33 PM in response to finnove

If no resolve see:

—if you are using Hide My email—try disabling this feature and compare your results...

Set up and use Hide My Email in iCloud+ on all your devices - Apple Support

—if you are using iCloud Private Relay on Mac - Apple Support try disabling this feature and compare your results...

Use iCloud Private Relay on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 6

finnove Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2025 2:46 AM in response to 6x6

Hi, both screenshots are from macbook. This message is after trying everything else :)

I'm afraid the only way forward is to find a way to force disabling the spam filter.

But I guess that is not possible by design, as it seems?

I have no spesific rules that applies to this.

email provider can tag emails and suggest spam, but only Apple is physically moving them out of sight.

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Answer 7

finnove Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2025 2:53 AM in response to Old Toad

As an experiment I have made a rule like this:

"if message is unwanted email - move it back to the inbox"

I have also found that rules workes best on icloud, before they are transfered to the mac.

But for this particular scenario there is no option for this in the cloud.

Wonder if its the cloud that makes these decisions... and not macbook? Hm...

Unfortunately, the moving back to inbox never seem to learn... and its an eternal process.

This time I want a permanent stop to emails getting lost.

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