---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-stop-mail-downloading-attachments
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-stop-mail-downloading-attachments
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Mail, Messages and chat apps"
question: "How do I stop Apple Mail downloading every attachment?"
alt_questions:
  - "mail download attachments none"
  - "mail attachments settings mac"
  - "stop mail saving attachments"
  - "imap download attachments recent"
  - "mail account information download attachments"
short_answer: "In Mail → Settings → Accounts → Account Information, set Download Attachments to Recent or None for IMAP accounts. Attachments then download only when you open them."
tags: ["mail", "attachments", "imap"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-is-apple-mail-using-so-much-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-mail-downloads-stored"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I stop Apple Mail downloading every attachment?

For IMAP accounts (most email services), open **Mail → Settings → Accounts**, choose the account, and on the **Account Information** tab set **Download Attachments** to **Recent** or **None**. Attachments then download when you open a message instead of all in advance.

The option isn't available for every account type, and messages already downloaded stay until you delete them or remove and re-add the account.