# Fix: ‘Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server’ issue

**URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/fix-message-has-not-been-downloaded-from-the-server/
**Author:** Ayushi Chauhan
**Published:** 2023-08-03
**Updated:** 2023-08-03
**Categories:** Blogs
**Reading Time:** 7 min

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Fix 'Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' issue usually appears when you try to open an [email](https://compsmag.com/best/email-apps/)that is in your inbox or that has been moved to another folder. This error means that the email you are trying to open from the server did not download properly. Even though there are new ways to talk to people and the world is moving quickly, email is still one of the most popular ways to do so. Many email clients, like [iPhone](https://compsmag.com/best/iphones/)Mail or Microsoft Outlook, start showing the following error for some emails:

Most people with iOS have been affected by this problem. But some users with the most recent versions have also told us about this problem. The problem is mostly seen on Apple products like the iPhone, [iPad](https://compsmag.com/best/ipad/), Mac, etc., and sometimes on [Windows](https://compsmag.com/best/windows-laptop/)with Microsoft Outlook. Some users said the problem started after they updated their OS, while others said it started when emails were moved between folders. The problem isn't just with Gmail, Yahoo, or any other email service. We mentioned below are the ways how to Fix 'Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' issue.

When you try to open an email on your iOS device, it only downloads the headers of all the emails in your inbox. The body of the emails is downloaded from the server. When you open Outlook on your [desktop computer](https://compsmag.com/best/desktop-computer/), it will immediately start to download all the new messages and delete them from the server. On both your iOS device and your [Mac](https://compsmag.com/best/macbook/), use IMAP instead of POP. Also, after downloading the option on a Mac, uncheck the box that says "remove messages."

Today, people who use email clients can choose from a wide range of options based on their needs. Each has its own pros and cons, but they all have the same thing in common: they all have problems from time to time. For example, when iPhone users try to open emails, their mail apps tell them "This message has not been downloaded from the server." This article will help you a lot if you are having the same problem.

## Causes of the 'Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' Issue

1. **Poor Internet Connection**: If the internet connection is slow or unstable, the email client may not be able to download the message content from the server.
2. **Server Issues**: The email server itself may be experiencing problems, such as being down or having connectivity issues, preventing the email client from fetching the message.
3. **Large Attachments**: Messages with large attachments may take longer to download, and if the connection times out before the download is complete, you may encounter this issue.
4. **Email Account Configuration**: Incorrect or misconfigured email account settings in the email client can lead to difficulties in downloading messages.
5. **Email Client Settings**: Some email clients have settings that allow users to choose whether to download complete messages or just message headers. If set to download only headers, the message content may not be downloaded.
6. **Security Software**: Antivirus or firewall software on your device may sometimes interfere with email downloads, leading to this problem.

## Fix: 'Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' issue

### Check your connection to the Internet

If you don't have a connection, you might have this problem. Make sure your iPhone or iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. This is simple to check:

![Fix: 'Message Has Not Been Downloaded From the Server' issue](https://compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1-86.jpg)

1. You can use any other **browser or the Safari app** on your iOS or iPadOS device.
2. Try going to**macreports.com.**
3. If nothing loads, you may have**trouble with your connection.**

If you are having this problem, you can try to fix it by doing one of the following:

1. **Start up your modem and router** for Wi-Fi. Just **unplug them**, **wait about a minute**, and then **plug them back in**.
2. **Turn on your iPhone or iPad** again.
3. **Change the Wi-Fi network** you're using.
4. **Turn on Airplane Mode**, **wait about a minute**, and then **turn it off** (Settings > Airplane Mode).
5. **Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings** to reset your network settings. Note that this will **delete all of your network settings**, like your Wi-Fi passwords and so on.
6. **Talk to your network provider or carrier**. There is a chance that your service could be affected by problems with your provider or account.

### Force Quit the Mail App

1. On an **iPhone** with **Face ID**, **swipe up** from the **middle** of the **bottom** of the **Home screen**.
2. If you have an **iPhone** with a **Home button**, **press it twice**.
3. When you see a **list** of all **open apps**, find the **Mail app** window and **swipe up** on it to **close** it.
4. **Wait** a few **seconds**, then **open** the **Mail app** again. **Check** to see if the **email** is there.

### Delete your mail account and then readd

1. **On your device**, go to **Settings** > **Passwords & Accounts**.
2. Find and tap your **email account** and tap **Delete Account**.
3. Now you will need to **add your account again**.
4. Go to **Settings** > **Passwords & Accounts** > **Add Account** and follow the **onscreen instructions**.

### Re-download the Mail App

1. **Tap** the **Mail app** and **hold** it down until a **menu** appears.
2. **Tap** "**Remove App**" or "**Delete App**."
3. When **asked** to **delete** the app, **tap** "**Delete App**" or "**Remove App**" and **confirm** the **action**.
4. **Now**, **go** to the **App Store** and **look** for the **Mail app**.
5. **Tap** the **cloud with an arrow** on it **next to it**.
6. When the **download** is **done**, **add** your **account** and **check** to see if the **email** is there.

### Forward the Email

1. **Open** the **Mail app** and **look** for the **email** you can't **see**.
2. **Tap** and **hold** the **email** until a **menu** appears.
3. **Choose** "**Forward**".
4. **Tap** "**Yes**" when you're asked if you want to "**Download the rest of the message first**."
5. The **message** will be **saved**, and you'll be able to **see** it.

### Re-add the Mail Account

1. **Open** the **app** for **Settings**.
2. **Scroll down** and **tap** "**Mail**".
3. **Tap** "**Accounts**" after that.
4. **Choose** the **account** you **used** to **connect** the **Mail** **app** to the **account**.
5. **Tap** "**Delete Account**" next. The **Accounts** window will come back up.
6. **Wait** a few seconds, then **touch** "**Add Account**" and **confirm**.
7. **Choose** your **service provider** and **sign in** to your **account**.
8. Once you've **added** your **email account** **successfully**, **open** the **Mail app** and **see** if the **email** is there.

## Questions and Answers

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