Make Mail check for new emails automatically

Why it happens

Mail can check for new messages on a timer, automatically, or only when you ask. If it's set to Manually, nothing new arrives until you click Get Mail. Automatically lets your email provider push messages to you as soon as they arrive, where it can.

How to fix it

1. Open Mail and choose Mail, then Settings… from the menu bar, or press Command-Comma.

2. Click General and pick Automatically from Check for new messages.

   Mail›Settings…›General›Check for new messages

3. Close the settings window. New mail should now arrive on its own within a few minutes.

Still not fixed?

1. If one account never updates, make sure it's switched on. Open Accounts in Mail's settings, pick the account and tick Enable this account.

   Mail›Settings…›Accounts›Account Information›Enable this account

2. If mail arrives but you get no alert, turn on Allow notifications for Mail in Notifications.

   Notifications›Mail›Allow notifications

3. Keep Mail open. It can't check while it's closed. Minimise it to the Dock instead of quitting.

4. If mail still only arrives when you click Get Mail, check with your email provider, then contact Apple Support.