How to Fix Mail Notifications Not Working on Mac

Basic Fixes

• Force quit and relaunch the app: Click on the Apple logo > Force Quit > Mail > Force Quit.
• Update macOS to update the Mail app: Open Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix 1: Re-enable Notifications

Let’s start with basics and by basics, we don’t mean rebooting the Mac (you have probably done that). Make sure you have enabled notifications for the Mail app on Mac. Otherwise, no trick will do the job for you. Here’s how to confirm that and re-enable notifications.

Open Settings > Notifications > Mail > Enable Notifications.

Fix 2: Disable and Enable Email Account

Are you facing notification issues with a specific Inbox in the Mail app? You have an option to disable a specific email account for some time and enable it again.

Step 1: Open the Mail app > Settings.

Step 2: Click on Accounts > Choose your email account > Enable this account.

After a minute or two, enable it again.

Fix 3: Add Email Account Again

Did you recently change your Gmail or Outlook email password? The Mail app will ask you to authenticate your account again. You can also go ahead and manually remove the email account from the Mail app and add it again.

Step 1: Open the Mail app > Settings > Accounts > Select your account name and then click the Minus icon to remove the icon.

Step 2: Click the Plus icon and then add your account again.

Fix 4: Disable Share Across Devices on iPhone or iPad

You might have enabled Focus on iPhone or iPad, and the iCloud is sharing the same Focus status on Mac as well. You can disable share across devices option to enable Focus on a specific device only.

Open Settings > Focus > Disable Share Across Devices.

Tip: Learn how to use the Gaming Focus Mode on iPhone.

Fix 5: Disable Focus on Mac

Like Focus on iPhone, Apple integrates Focus on Mac with macOS Monterey update. If you have enabled Focus on Mac or automated a specific Focus profile, you need to disable it to get Mail notifications.

Open Settings > Focus > Choose your Focus Mode > Silenced Apps > Ensure that Mail app is not added.

Fix 6: Disable Protect Mail Activity

As a part of the iCloud+ subscription, Apple offers a Mail Privacy Protection add-on to hide your IP address and load remote content privately in the background. While the function is there to protect your privacy, it can lead to Mail misbehaves on Mac.

Open the Mail app > Settings > Privacy > Disable Protect Mail Activity.