---
id: mac-storage-basics.can-i-move-apple-mail-to-an-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-move-apple-mail-to-an-external-drive
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Mail, Messages and chat apps"
question: "Can I move my Apple Mail data to an external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "move mail library external drive"
  - "mail storage location change"
  - "archive old email to external drive"
  - "export mailbox mac"
  - "mail data external ssd"
short_answer: "There's no built-in setting, and moving Mail's folder by hand is risky. Export old mailboxes to the drive with Mailbox → Export Mailbox, then remove them from the account."
tags: ["mail", "export", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-is-apple-mail-using-so-much-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-stop-mail-downloading-attachments"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I move my Apple Mail data to an external drive?

macOS has no setting to relocate Mail's data, and moving its folder by hand can confuse Mail. Better options:

- **Archive old mail**: select a mailbox and choose **Mailbox → Export Mailbox…**, saving it to the external drive; you can import it later with File → Import Mailboxes.
- Delete or archive the exported messages from the account to free space.
- Limit attachment downloads so Mail stores less going forward.