Mailspring
Mailspring 1.23.0 is a cross-platform desktop email client for Windows, macOS and Linux with IMAP and SMTP accounts, unified inboxes, rules, templates, snooze and scheduled sending.
What Mailspring does
Mailspring connects desktop accounts through IMAP and SMTP and provides a unified inbox, folders, rules, templates, snooze and scheduled sending. It can keep local message and attachment caches while optional cloud features use different service boundaries.
Credentials and cloud boundaries
The local sync engine connects to the mail provider, and credentials are intended for the system keychain or key ring rather than a plain-text configuration. An optional Mailspring ID and professional features can involve additional service data, so the client is not equivalent to an offline mail archive.
Account authorization
Prefer OAuth when the provider supports it. If an app-specific password is required, create one with the smallest permitted scope and keep two-factor authentication enabled. IMAP, SMTP, ports and TLS settings must match the provider.
Local cache and privacy
Message previews, attachments, signatures, logs, tracking pixels and read receipts have different retention and privacy implications. Shared devices should not retain a long-lived session, and extensions should be reviewed before installation.
Maintenance note
Review date: 2026-08-23. The page was checked against Mailspring 1.23.0, supported platforms, IMAP and SMTP authorization, keychain storage, local caches and optional tracking features.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
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Mailspring 1.23.0 account setup, sync and privacy guide
Choose the correct package, authorize one test mailbox, verify folder mapping and sender identity, then set local retention, notifications and optional tracking features deliberately.
Before you start
- Prepare an account with IMAP and SMTP or OAuth support, and confirm whether the provider requires an app-specific password.
- Use disk encryption, screen lock and the protected system keychain because local caches and credentials are sensitive.
- Record folders, aliases, signatures, sending server and retention rules before migrating multiple accounts.
Installation steps
- 01
Choose the platform and architecture
Use the Windows installer, the matching Intel or Apple Silicon macOS package, or the Linux x86_64 or ARM64 DEB or RPM, then verify version 1.23.0.
- 02
Decide whether to use a Mailspring ID
Skip the account for basic mail when appropriate; if professional cloud features are needed, review their data, subscription and cross-device behavior before signing in.
- 03
Authorize the mailbox
Prefer OAuth, or create a restricted app-specific password when required. Verify server names, ports and TLS and reject unencrypted connections.
Quick start
- 01
Check folders and sender identity
After the first sync, inspect inbox, sent, drafts, archive and trash mappings. Send a test message and verify the sender, reply address, signature and time zone.
- 02
Configure notifications and local retention
Enable notifications only for accounts that need them, inspect attachment auto-download and cache scope, and avoid persistent sign-in on shared devices.
- 03
Review tracking and efficiency features
Before enabling snooze, scheduled sending, link tracking or read receipts, understand their service and recipient-privacy effects; tracking is not proof of delivery or reading.
Usage tips
- Keeping credentials out of Mailspring cloud does not make the client offline; it still connects to the mail provider and optional services.
- Read receipts and link tracking can be hidden or altered by privacy tools, proxies and image blocking, so results can be incomplete.
- Themes and extensions may execute code or access client data. Install only extensions with a clear source, permission set and maintenance history.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why is mail stuck syncing or duplicated?
Check network and provider status, folder mapping and account concurrency limits, then inspect local logs. Back up drafts and unsent messages before removing an account or cache.
Why does Linux keep asking for a key-ring password?
Confirm that the desktop session key ring is initialized and unlocked for the current user, and that Mailspring can access it. Do not replace it with a plain-text password file.
- Preserve local-only contentConfirm that drafts, queued mail, signatures and rules are synchronized or exported, record folder mappings and revoke unused app passwords or OAuth sessions.
- Sign out and clear local dataSign out of Mailspring ID and mail accounts, uninstall the app and clear local databases, attachment caches and logs on shared or transferred devices.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mailspring upload my mailbox password and message body to its cloud?
The local sync engine connects to the provider and credentials are intended for the system keychain; message content is not treated as a Mailspring cloud archive. Optional accounts and features have separate service data and should be reviewed.
Can I use Mailspring without a Mailspring ID?
Basic mail can be used without creating an ID in the current version, while cloud-dependent read receipts, tracking, snooze or professional features can be limited.
Why does the correct password fail when adding an account?
The provider may require OAuth, an app-specific password, IMAP activation or extra verification. Keep two-factor authentication enabled and never give a primary password to a repair utility.