Reply to, forward or follow up on emails in Mail on Mac

1. Go to the Mail app on your Mac.

2. Select a message in the message list.

   Note: If you select the top message in a conversation, all of the messages in the conversation are selected.

3. Move the pointer over the message header, then click one of the following buttons:

   • Reply to reply to just the sender.

   • Reply All to reply to the sender and the other recipients.

   • Forward to choose new recipients.

   You can add or remove recipients as needed.

4. Add your text.

   If you included the original message, vertical bars (called quotation bars) may appear next to it.

   You can make your text appear as quotations:

   • Add quotation bars to your text: Choose Format > Quote Level > Increase or Format > Quote Level > Decrease. This also changes the quote level at which selected text appears.

   • Paste text as quoted text: Choose Edit > Paste as Quotation.

5. If the original message contains attachments, decide whether to include them:

   • Include attachments: Click in the toolbar of the message window or choose Edit > Attachments > Include Original Attachments in Reply.

   • Exclude attachments: Click in the toolbar of the message window or choose Message > Remove Attachments.

   • Choose attachments settings for all replies: Choose Edit > Include Attachments With Replies, then select an option.

     Note: Attachments are included in messages you forward.

6. When you’re ready, click .

If you prefer to always omit the original message from your replies, choose Mail > Settings, click Composing, then deselect “Quote the text of the original message”.

In a Mail notification on your Mac, do one of the following:

• Click Reply. Your reply is addressed to all recipients; to reply only to the sender, click in the toolbar of the message window.

• Click anywhere in the notification to open the message, then reply.

You can create a rule to automatically reply to or forward emails when Mail is open.

1. Go to the Mail app on your Mac.

2. Choose Mail > Settings, then click Rules.

3. Click Add Rule, then type a name for the rule.

4. Indicate whether any or all of the conditions must be true for the rule to be applied.

5. Set the conditions that determine which messages to automatically reply to or forward.

6. Click the “Perform the following actions” pop-up menu, then choose an option:

   • Forward messages: Choose Forward Message from the first pop-up menu, then enter the email addresses where you want to receive the forwarded messages. Click Message, then enter any text you want to include with the forwarded message. For example, you could explain that you’re automatically forwarding messages.

   • Reply to messages: Choose “Reply to Message” from the first pop-up menu, click “Reply message text”, then enter your reply. Mail includes the full text of the original message in your reply.

7. Click OK.

   Make sure you test your rule. If it’s too broad, messages can be sent inadvertently or create loops (replies to replies you sent).

If you send a message and don’t receive a response in 3 days, the sent email automatically resurfaces to the top of your inbox to help you remember to follow up.

1. Go to the Mail app on your Mac.

2. Do either of the following:

   • To ignore a follow-up suggestion, swipe left on the message in the message list.

   • To turn this feature on or off, choose Mail > Settings, click General, then select or deselect the tickbox next to Follow Up Suggestions.

If you have a Mac with M1 or later, Apple Intelligence can suggest a reply to email you receive. See Use Apple Intelligence in Mail.