The location of email data on macOS systems varies depending on the email client used. Apple Mail, Outlook for Mac, and other third-party applications each employ distinct storage mechanisms to manage messages, attachments, and associated information. Examining these locations directly involves navigating the file system and understanding the organizational structure specific to each application.
Understanding the storage locations is crucial for several reasons, including backing up email data, troubleshooting application issues, migrating email to a new machine, or performing forensic analysis. Historically, email clients relied on proprietary formats, making data recovery challenging. Modern applications often use more standardized formats, simplifying the process of accessing and manipulating email content.