Emails are in an unexpected folder
Email filters and our spam filter can send incoming email to folders other than your Inbox.
- Filters - Review your settings to see if filters are sending emails to another folder. If you find any unexpected filters, check to see if your account may have been compromised.
- Search for them - Locate misplaced emails using our basic or advanced search options.
- Spam and Trash - These folders don't show in search results. Check them manually. If you keep finding unexpected emails in Spam, even after marking them as "Not Spam," check out the info on third-party email apps.
Emails deleted or moved by an email app
If you access AOL Mail from an app on your mobile device or your computer, your settings or actions could have caused emails to be deleted from your account or moved out of the Inbox. Check their settings or contact the app manufacturer.
Apps that use IMAP and the AOL Mail apps
Some desktop email apps and most mobile email apps, like on iPhone and Android, use IMAP.
- Actions taken in these apps are mirrored in your AOL Mail account everywhere.
- Emails deleted from the apps will be placed in your Trash folder.
- Deleting email from the Trash removes it from your account.
Apps that use POP
Desktop apps, like Outlook, Thunderbird, and Mac Mail, can access AOL Mail using POP.
- Copies of your email download to the app, so actions in the app won't affect your account.
- One POP setting, however, will delete email from your account when it's downloaded.
- To disable the "delete emails from server" option, contact your app manufacturer.
Make sure someone else doesn't delete your emails
If you believe someone has accessed your account, change your password immediately.