Documentation
Guides, workflows, and answers for getting the most out of MailVault.
Reference
FAQ
Common questions about MailVault, email formats, storage, security, and providers.
All Features
Complete feature list with details on email management, security, performance, and more.
Changelog
Release history and what's new in each version.
Guides
Nothing on the site matches that search.
Free up space
How to Free Up Email Storage
Mailbox full? Archive emails locally, then safely delete from the server to reclaim space.
Gmail Storage Full? Here's How to Fix It
What actually frees up Gmail space, in order of effort — and how to stop the problem from coming back.
Outlook.com / Hotmail Mailbox Full?
How to check what's using your storage and archive old email before paying for more.
How to Delete Thousands of Old Emails Safely
A safe process for bulk-deleting old mail without losing anything you might need later.
Archive and back up
How to Archive IMAP Emails Locally
Learn how to download and archive your IMAP emails to local storage on macOS and Linux.
How to Keep Emails After Server Deletion
Delete emails from your server without losing them. Archive locally first, keep forever.
Back Up Email Before Closing an Account
A step-by-step checklist for backing up every folder before an account is closed for good.
Email Archiving for Freelancers & Small Business
Client email is often your only record of scope and approvals — how to keep it forever.
Provider guides
How to Download All Your Gmail Emails
Google Takeout vs an IMAP archive — how each works and which one you actually want.
How to Leave Gmail Without Losing Your Emails
Switching providers? Archive your Gmail history first, then migrate on your own terms.
How to Back Up Yahoo Mail
Yahoo doesn't support app passwords — here's the connection flow that actually works.
How to Export iCloud Mail to Your Computer
iCloud has no built-in export button — here's the IMAP and app-specific password setup that works.
Compare
MailVault vs Apple Mail
How MailVault's dedicated archiving compares to Apple Mail for local email backup.
MailVault vs Thunderbird
Compare archiving workflows, storage formats, and which is better for email retention.
MailVault vs Paying for More Storage
Stop paying for more email storage. Archive locally and downgrade your plan.
Best MailStore Alternative for Mac
Looking for a MailStore alternative on Mac? Compare MailVault — free, open source, native macOS.
IMAP Backup Tool: What to Look For
An honest checklist for evaluating any email backup tool — file format, auth, and data ownership.
Still have questions?