---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-empty-mail-trash-and-junk
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-empty-mail-trash-and-junk
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Mail, Messages and chat apps"
question: "How do I empty Mail's Trash and Junk folders to save space?"
alt_questions:
  - "erase deleted items mail"
  - "erase junk mail mac"
  - "empty mail trash mac"
  - "mail trash taking space"
  - "delete junk mail permanently mac"
  - "mailbox erase deleted items"
short_answer: "Choose Mailbox → Erase Deleted Items and Mailbox → Erase Junk Mail. Mail's account settings can erase them automatically after a set time."
tags: ["mail", "trash", "junk"]
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-remove-attachments-but-keep-emails-in-mail"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I empty Mail's Trash and Junk folders to save space?

In **Mail** choose **Mailbox → Erase Deleted Items** to empty the Trash for one or all accounts, and **Mailbox → Erase Junk Mail** to empty Junk.

To make it automatic, open **Mail → Settings → Accounts**, choose an account, and look for the options that permanently erase deleted and junk messages after a set time. For accounts on a server, emptying these folders also frees space in your email account's online quota.