This topic

All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:39:26 GMT

I received an email from BT to update my Email Client Settings.

I am using a Mac running OS Tahoe 26.6 and using Apple Mail.

After updating

Incoming mail security settings

For IMAP connections, make sure the port is 993.

All of my saved folders are now empty, no saved emails at all. On some the headers are there but no content.

Everything was working perfectly up until this "UPDATE" !!!!!

If I log on via a web browser and check my emails all are there, they have just disappeared from my local folders.

How can I download them to my machine once again.

Thanks.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

gg30340 — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:56:16 GMT

I don't know why you would have received an email telling you to update email clients settings. As far as I am aware nothing has been changed.

Are you sure the email was from BT and not a scam. Did you click on any links? What were the settings that you had to change?

The correct BT settings are as per this link.

https://www.bt.com/help/email/manage-email-account/manual-settings/what-are-the-settings-for-outgoing-and-incoming-bt-email-servers.

If everything is correct and you are using IMAP I would suggest that you restart your device then open the email client and wait until it fully synchronises with the BTMail email servers. Depending on how many folder and email you have this can take some time.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:06:53 GMT

Here is the message I received :

Yes, I am sure the email was from BT.

I am using IMAP and have already done as you recommend, several times.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:26:47 GMT

BT email client settings haven't changed for many years, secure port 993 rather than insecure port 143 for IMAP. What port were you previously using? Where did the link take you?

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

gg30340 — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:32:22 GMT

I have no idea why BT are asking you to change to TLS. Your email account settings would have already been using SSL/TLS

If you check the link I posted you will see the following in the sub link IMAP,POP3,SMTP and TLS.

"SSL also referred to as TLS, ensures that messages and data sent between your email client and the BT Email server, is encrypted to protect your personal data. It’s really important that you enable this feature".

The other sub-link "How to Check your current settings" also tells you that if you are using SSL/TLS you will see IMAP using port 993 which presumably yours was already using. If it was not it would most likely have been set up incorrectly if you used the Apple wizard when you first set up the account in the Mail app rather than setting it up manually.

I use email clients on all of my devices and they are all set up wit SSL/TLS and have been for years so as I said, I have no idea why BT are sending out emails now unless there is a problem with specific devices with specific accounts.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:36:43 GMT

The link took me to here :

https://www.bt.com/help/email/email-security/securing-your-email-client

I cannot remember the original port but do know that I have not changed it for many years.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:37:44 GMT

In any case, changing encryption protocol would have no effect on folders.

I still smell scam.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:39:38 GMT

I can forwards you the original email if you wish.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

gg30340 — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:40:12 GMT

I have asked the moderators to check with the email team to see if this is genuine and why it has been sent out when the SSL/TLS has been the setting for years.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:41:56 GMT

@EricCwrote:
I can forwards you the original email if you wish.

That would require me to post my email address on a public forum which I am certainly not going to do.

Did you manually change the settings or did they change as a result of clicking the link?

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:43:39 GMT

Manually changed.

Which I have now left blank.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:44:03 GMT

To be fair, SSL and TLS are separate protocols but as far as I'm aware BT still use SSL. Certainly changing Outlook 2010 to TLS (as opposed to either SSL or SSL/TLS) results in failure to send or receive mail.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

gg30340 — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:44:11 GMT

Do not send the email. Go into the headers of the email and it will show you the senders details. To do that log onto your email account using a web browser then select the email and click "More" in the menu bar and then select on the "View Source".

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:45:33 GMT

@EricCwrote:
Manually changed.
From?
Which I have now left blank.
That won't work

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:46:04 GMT

I am not using Outlook, I am on a Mac running OS Tahoe 26.6 using Apple Mail.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:47:11 GMT

It does work, as since I changed it I still received notification of your reply.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:50:23 GMT

@EricCwrote:
I am not using Outlook, I am on a Mac running OS Tahoe 26.6 using Apple Mail.

The settings are universal, not client specific. I asked what the setting was before you changed it.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

licquorice — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:52:45 GMT

@EricCwrote:
It does work, as since I changed it I still received notification of your reply.

It must have entered a value or it wouldn't work. A port number is like an extension number of a switchboard in phone terms. Just getting to the switchboard doesn't get you to the person (server) you need to speak to.

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:53:55 GMT

I am not sure but I think that it was IMAP (Incoming): Port 143 (no encryption)

Re: All kept message folders Empty since update to Email Client Settings

EricC — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:55:23 GMT

I about to reinstall my OS etc from a Time Machine backup to see if that fixes things.