IMAP Mail: Resurrecting Msgs Accidentally Deleted ?

[Robert4]

Hello,

I did a real dumb-dumb, and would appreciate any suggestions on this. Blame it on old age now.

I use the MAIL App that came with my iMac.
I use Comcast for everything.

My MAIL Comcast account is set up as an IMAP.
So, I'm told "everything" resides on a Server somewhere "forever". True ?

I deleted a few messages inadvertently, and then emptied the trash.
So, they really seems to be truly gone.

But, since an IMAP, can I somehow resurrect it from the Comcast Server ? Or ?

If someone could guide me thru the steps in doing so, in detail (I miss any of the nuances now)
would be most appreciative.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[BrianBaughn]

Do you have Time Machine backups of your iMac?

 

[Robert4]

Hi,

Yes I do.
Will take a look thru it.

Never realized that it also backs up eMails.
Sure it does ?

Besides Time Machine, how would I get off of the IMAP Comcast Server
(if I can't find them on Time Machine) ?

Again, thanks for help; much appreciated,
Bob

 

[BrianBaughn]

The macOS database of your Mail gets backed up. Restoring it will be a bit tricky since your Mail syncs to an IMAP server. I have never tried this, exactly.

Maybe someone else has done it and has a quick, safe, and reliable way that won't muck up your whole system.

The only way I can think of is to install a fresh copy of macOS to a different drive or partition, boot from it, then disconnect from the internet (so that your Mail app won't sync with the server) and restore your user account from the backup with Migration Assistant. Then…still disconnected…find the emails you're missing and export them. You would next go back to your regular system drive and import the emails to a folder "On My Mac" and move them to the proper place in your Comcast account at which time they should re-upload to the server and stay there.

Hopefully, someone will have a MUCH easier, tested way to get your mail out of those backups.

 

[posguy99]

I deleted a few messages inadvertently, and then emptied the trash.
So, they really seems to be truly gone.

But, since an IMAP, can I somehow resurrect it from the Comcast Server ? Or ?

If you deleted them, so did the server.