Gmail + Mac Mail, can I DL JUST the inbox?

[cricketbird]

I've got limited hard drive space. In gmail, I keep my inbox pared down to just a few emails I'm actively working on (ie 3-10 emails at a time). Everything else gets archived.

However, when I try to set up Mac Mail for gmail (as described on 50 different websites), my computer starts downloading thousands of emails - my sent mail, anything I've tagged, etc. I don't want all this. I just want the few active emails (my inbox) at any one time.

I've tried mapping folders in Mail (ie Use this folder for....), but can't seem to pare it down to just the inbox.

Any suggestions or alternative routes?

Thanks,
CB

 

[millsj]

In the mail options for your account, on the advanced tab you can set it to not keep copies of messages on your machine. Or to omit attachments if that is what is taking up the space.

It will be a bit slower and always require an internet connection, but it won't take up space.

I tried subscribing/unsubscribing to specific folders in Mail, and it doesn't seem like its possible.

 

[cricketbird]

Thanks However, I need the attachments and it to be offline so I can work when I travel. My solution now is to forward messages to another gmail account that just keeps the relevant emails and trashes the rest.

 

[apfhex]

In the Gmail web interface preferences you can turn off the display of all IMAP folders except the Inbox. Not sure if this will stop the other messages from being downloaded still. (can't remember if this is an extra Google Labs feature that has to be enabled)

 

[JuanGuapo]

Turn on Gmail Labs, and enable "Advanced IMAP Controls".

Adv. IMAP Controls will allow you to select which folders you wish to sync over IMAP.

Mail.app does not allow you to use folder subscriptions with Gmail, it's a known issue according to Google.

 

[cricketbird]

Thanks! Just what I needed. I hadn't dug that far into the labs before.

Thanks for the advice

CB