iPhone Couldn't Move Messages

[w00t951]

Are you kidding me Apple? It's been like 5 years since this issue popped up and it's still not resolved. Random emails on all the email providers I use (Outlook/Exchange, Gmail) can't be moved or deleted and throw the vague error message "couldn't move message." How is this not fixed yet, there's tons of threads about it but no permanent solutions and lots of frustrated users.

It's the most frustrating thing when you get spammed with 27 work emails and your $1200 iPhone X can't delete/archive/move the messages, so you have to go dig your laptop out of your car and delete them from a proper computer.

 

[cynics]

That error is related to an email server using the IMAP protocol when an action cannot be communicated or is invalid. While it will be worded differently this error can happen on any devices. IMAP is server based so anything you change in the app

Verify the mailbox behaviors are correct in accounts > email in question > account (email address) > advanced. It should look something like this.



If something is pointing to a folder that no longer exist you may get that error. For example if I deleted Archive, then tried to send an email to it I would get an error telling me it couldn't move an email there. If you click on them you should see a list of folders 'on the server', log into gmail or whatever email client on a computer and verify the folder is still there.

If the issue comes an goes maybe just delete the account and re set it up.

A good data connection is required for dealing with IMAP email servers as well since all the changes you are making need to be sent to the server as well.

I read somewhere before setting the prefix to INBOX solves the issue for people, but all my email prefixes are / and they work just fine.