# Welcome

<figure><img src="/files/LH50fbUkIeNyB3LgX9dy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**MsgFiler 4** is a powerful, intuitive, and time-saving keyboard-based email filing application for Apple Mail. Type to filter down the list of mailboxes and press return to file selected messages in Mail. Navigate, select, move and copy emails without ever lifting your hands off the keyboard.

With **MsgFiler 4**, you can say goodbye to dragging and dropping, sore wrists, and an overflowing inbox and say hello to more time. Happy filing days await you!

## Table of Contents

* [Why MsgFiler?](/why-msgfiler)
* [The History of MsgFiler](/history)
* [System Requirements](/system-requirements)
* [Buy MsgFiler](/buy)
* [Onboarding](/onboarding)
* [Using MsgFiler](/using-msgfiler)
  * [MsgFiler Shortcut](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-shortcut)
  * [Hot Keys](/using-msgfiler/keyboard-shortcuts)
  * [Favorite Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/favorite-mailboxes)
  * [Recent Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/recent-mailboxes)
  * [Mail Navigation](/using-msgfiler/mail-navigation)
  * [Action Menu](/using-msgfiler/action-menu)
  * [Creating New Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/creating-new-mailboxes)
  * [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script)
  * [Focused Filing](/using-msgfiler/focused-filing)
* [Settings](/settings)
  * [General](/settings/general)
  * [Search](/settings/search)
  * [Filing](/settings/filing)
  * [Focused Filing](/settings/focused-filing-settings)
  * [Advanced](/settings/advanced)
  * [License](/settings/license-settings)
  * [About](/settings/about-settings)
* [AppleScript](/applescript)
* [Shortcuts](/shortcuts)
* [Support](/support)


# Why MsgFiler?

For 18 years and counting, MsgFiler has been counted on by thousands of people across the world to file their messages in Apple Mail faster and more reliably using the keyboard over clicking and dragging with the mouse or trackpad.&#x20;

## Benefits

MsgFiler 4's lightning fast searching means you just have to type a few characters to find the right mailbox. Move selected messages with a press or open a mailbox without having to navigate the mailbox folder pane. MsgFiler 4 is optimized for keyboard-only usage, perfect for Apple Mail power users.

### Saves Time

What would you do with extra minutes in the day? Hours in a week? MsgFiler 4 saves you time when organizing your Mail messages.

### No More Dragging and Dropping

Say bye-bye to sore wrists and mouse shoulder! Using MsgFiler 4 to file your messages is much faster than dragging and dropping.

### Fast Search

Let your fingers do the filing. Simply type a few letters of the mailbox you wish to files your messages to, and MsgFiler 4 will show it to you instantly.

### Smart Suggestions

MsgFiler can now automatically suggest mailboxes to you based on your filing history.&#x20;

### Integration with Mail

MsgFiler 4 works with Mail to provide a one-stop source for organizing your messages and mailboxes.


# The History of MsgFiler

MsgFiler has existed for over 18 years. It drew its inspiration from a feature in Eudora and Mozilla Thunderbird. Starting out as an AppleScript, MsgFiler was rewritten for version 2.0 as a Mail Plug-In for Apple Mail in 2007.

In 2010, it was rewritten again as MsgFiler 3, an application for the newly created Mac App Store. The MsgFiler 2.x Mail Plug-In became known as the Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In or MsgFiler Classic.

A new plug-in was developed for use with MsgFiler 3.x to enable fast-filing in MacOS Mountain View and beyond called the MsgFiler Engine.

In 2023, macOS Sonoma was released and marked the end of Mail Plug-Ins. Support for external third-party plug-ins was removed in this release of the operating system. For months it was thought that this also meant the end for MsgFiler, but like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, MsgFiler has been reborn, as MsgFiler 4 is ready for Sonoma (and beyond).

In 2025, macOS 26 Tahoe was released with a refreshed Liquid Glass interface. MsgFiler's application icon was changed again, and its interface was tweaked to the new look and feel. Finally, MsgFiler added Smart Suggestions, which automatically suggest mailboxes based on past filing history.

Now that MsgFiler is ready for the future of macOS, let's hope that Apple doesn't Sherlock it (that is, put its features into Mail itself)!

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th>MsgFiler 1</th><th align="center">MsgFiler 2</th><th align="center">MsgFiler 3</th><th align="center">MsgFiler 4</th><th>MsgFiler 4 (Tahoe)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><img src="/files/93NfZ1ozRN7JEeB0VyNd" alt="" data-size="original"></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/BrPyY0hs5h7vWgQiNXqs" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/BMurEcXZBZXMUIcbOu9i" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/EQ6eofG9DlbWv05CCScp" alt=""></td><td><div><figure><img src="/files/EyGG1SgRmR1N7nHFOQ5s" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Timeline

* **2006** - Version 1.0 released as an AppleScript.
* **2007** - Version 2.0 released. Rewritten in Cocoa as an Apple Mail Plug-In.
* **2010** - Version 3.0 released. Rewritten as an app for the Mac App Store.
* **2011** - MsgFiler Engine released to work with MsgFiler 3 to enable fast-filing on Lion. MsgFiler 2.0 renamed as MsgFiler Classic or the Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In.
* **2011-2021** - Compatibility updates for annual macOS release, including Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, and Ventura.
* **2023** - MsgFiler Classic and MsgFiler sunsetted with the launch of macOS Sonoma.
* **2024** - MsgFiler 4 released in March.
* **2025** - MsgFiler 4 updated with support for macOS 26 Tahoe and Smart Suggestions.


# System Requirements

MsgFiler 4 has the following system requirements:

* macOS Ventura or higher
* Apple Mail

{% hint style="info" %}
If you wish to file to Gmail accounts, archive email from MsgFiler, or select the next/previous message in the Message Viewer list after filing non-Gmail accounts, you will need to install and activate the [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script).
{% endhint %}

## System Requirements for Older Versions of MsgFiler

* [MsgFiler 3](/support/msgfiler-3)
* [MsgFiler Classic](/support/plugin)


# Buy MsgFiler

## MsgFiler 4 for macOS Ventura and Above

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="496"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>MsgFiler 4 is available to download and purchase from the following channels:</p><ul><li><a href="#mac-app-store">Mac App Store</a></li><li><a href="#gumroad">Gumroad</a></li></ul><p>Learn more about the differences between these two versions in <a href="/pages/WqwMKZwIWPRjE2WtbFOw">this support document</a>.<br><br></p></td><td><p><img src="/files/EyGG1SgRmR1N7nHFOQ5s" alt=""></p><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Mac App Store

The [Mac App Store version of MsgFiler 4 ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6478043112)is offered as a free-to-download application with a one-time in-app purchase or a subscription to unlock all the features.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="460"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li><strong>Lifetime Unlock</strong>: Pay a one-time fee to unlock all of MsgFiler 4's features.</li><li><strong>Inbox Organizer Plan</strong>: Subscribe to use all features of MsgFiler 4 on a monthly or annual basis.</li></ul></td><td><a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/id6478043112"><img src="https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTVWOEW6NaDJ95yKpBphJ%2Fuploads%2FKUz5pSV9jmpUohRZQsiD%2FApp-Store-Download.png?alt=media" alt="Get MsgFiler from the App Store"></a></td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Lifetime Unlock or Subscription?

MsgFiler has been around for nearly two decades, supporting every release of macOS from Tiger to Sonoma. If you are a dedicated Apple Mail user and see yourself using MsgFiler 4 for more than a few years, it is wise to pay for the Lifetime Unlock.

If you want to try out MsgFiler 4 for a month or a year, a subscription is a more affordable alternative. Read more about [my thoughts on subscriptions here](/buy/thoughts-on-subscriptions).

***

### Gumroad

You can purchase the direct distribution version of [MsgFiler 4 from Gumroad](https://tow.gumroad.com/l/msgfiler). This version of MsgFiler 4 is offered only in the form of a one-time payment. Gumroad will send you a license key to the email used to purchase the product. You will enter this license key into MsgFiler 4 to active the Lifetime Unlock.

{% embed url="<https://tow.gumroad.com/l/msgfiler>" %}

***

## MsgFiler 3 for macOS Ventura and Below

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="511"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>With the release of MsgFiler 4, MsgFiler 3 is no longer available from the Mac App Store. If you are running a macOS operating system below Ventura, you can download, install and purchase <a href="/pages/4zj18LsfCBviADeOEKqJ">MsgFiler Classic here</a>, which remains on sale. While it lacks some of the features of MsgFiler 4, it still offers the core fast-filing experience of MsgFiler.</p><p></p><p>MsgFiler 3 runs on macOS Ventura and below.</p></td><td><img src="/files/BMurEcXZBZXMUIcbOu9i" alt=""></td></tr></tbody></table>

Existing users of [MsgFiler 3](/support/msgfiler-3) are heavily encouraged to install the [MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In](/support/engine) for fast filing.

{% hint style="danger" %}
There is no upgrade pricing from MsgFiler 3 to MsgFiler 4, so if you are on Ventura and upgrade to macOS Sonoma, you will need to purchase MsgFiler 4. MsgFiler 4 is a complete re-write of the application and takes advantage of the latest Apple developer technologies and innovations such as Swift, SwiftUI and App Intents.
{% endhint %}

## MsgFiler Classic

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="557"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p>The Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In will remain available for purchase for users running a macOS version that supports Mail Plug-Ins. <a href="/pages/4zj18LsfCBviADeOEKqJ">Learn more here</a>.</p><p><br>MsgFiler Classic runs on macOS Ventura and below.</p><p></p></td><td align="center"><p></p><p><img src="/files/BrPyY0hs5h7vWgQiNXqs" alt="" data-size="original"></p></td></tr></tbody></table>


# Freemium Mode

The table below lists what is available, limited, or not accessible when MsgFiler 4 is in Freemium Mode. Purchase the Lifetime Unlock or subscribe to one of the Inbox Organization monthly or annual subscription plans to unlock unlimited access to premium features.

In Freemium Mode, you can use some premium features, but you will periodically be prevented from performing the operation and be encouraged to purchase or subscribe via an alert. You can dismiss the alert after some time and try to perform the operation again. These features are denoted by the ⏰ icon.

|                                   Feature | Freemium Mode | Paid or Subscription |
| ----------------------------------------: | :-----------: | :------------------: |
|                         Opening mailboxes |       ✅       |           ✅          |
|                Labeling selected messages |       ✅       |           ✅          |
|                Flagging selected messages |       ✅       |           ✅          |
| Toggling read status of selected messages |       ✅       |           ✅          |
|                           Moving messages |       ⏰       |           ✅          |
|                          Copying messages |       ⏰       |           ✅          |
|         Navigating Mail from the keyboard |       ⏰       |           ✅          |
|      Archiving messages from the keyboard |       ⏰       |           ✅          |
|                    Creating new mailboxes |       ⏰       |           ✅          |
|                         Smart Suggestions |       ✅       |           ✅          |
|                            Focused Filing |       ❌       |           ✅          |
|                                 Dark mode |       ✅       |           ✅          |
|                                 Shortcuts |       ✅       |           ✅          |


# Thoughts on Subscriptions

Applications are moving more to a subscription model.  Subscriptions are a benefit for developers because they can better forecast their finances if they have a steady stream of ongoing, recurring revenue. On the other hand, customers generally dislike subscriptions because it's yet another thing that they have to account for each month or year.&#x20;

## How Software was Sold in the Past

In the decades before subscriptions arrived, software was sold in boxed packages or distributed via the internet using a one-time pricing model. Companies provided free software updates in the form of regular point-release updates. For major releases, these companies typically charged an upgrade fee. For instance, going from App 1.0 to App 1.1 would generally not cost anything, but going from App 1.0 to App 2.0 would incur some cost.&#x20;

## MsgFiler's Pricing History

MsgFiler has been available for a one-time purchase for nearly two decades. When MsgFiler 3 was released on the Mac App Store in 2010, there was a separate fee because the payment processor changed from Apple to PayPal.

Updates to MsgFiler Classic and MsgFiler 3 were free for the entirety of their products' lifetime, a period of 18 years!

Say you purchased the Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In back in 2008 for $6. When MsgFiler 3 was released on the Mac App Store in 2010, you paid an additional $10. Over the course of sixteen years, you paid on average a single dollar for MsgFiler. How many countless seconds, minutes, or hours did you save from the drudgery and manual labor of dragging and dropping files in Apple Mail? I would wager that was a dollar well spent each year!

## The Rise of Subscriptions

The shift in software subscriptions has been driven by a number of factors, including:

* Sustainable revenue streams
* Ongoing development and updates
* Recurring server and maintenance costs
* Lower initial costs

The article will not go into depth regarding the pros and cons of each factor. Suffice it to say that subscriptions are here to stay.&#x20;

As a full-time indie developer, I understand the importance of knowing my monthly recurring revenue (MRR) and annual recurring revenue (ARR) numbers. It helps me plan my finances and know how much I can invest in software, hardware, cloud services, etc. to run and improve my business. With one-time licenses, the money comes in once. As I continue to update my applications, I have to rely on new customers to sustain my business. Over time, this creates an imbalance in which I spend more time marketing the app than improving it. The customer base is increasing, support requests are growing, and I have less time and money to address these tasks.

I personally have long been resistant to implementing subscriptions in my app, but as a business owner I find that this is the right decision, now and for tomorrow. It's also important to offer customers a one-time purchase for those who prefer the old approach.  Customers should have the choice in deciding how they want to use MsgFiler and support an indie developer like myself. The key then is determining how much to price the perpetual license.

## Lifetime Unlock and Subscriptions

MsgFiler 4 offers users the option of choosing between a Lifetime Unlock and Subscriptions. For those wanting purely to evaluate MsgFiler 4, there's also a Freemium Mode, which offers limited, time-delayed access to premium features.

Suppose MsgFiler 4 continues to be available on macOS for the next 15 years. At $50, that's just $3.33/year. It's more than the dollar per year that MsgFiler Classic and MsgFiler 3 cost a user between 2008 and 2024, but it's a pretty good deal for a tool that will save you time every time you file messages in Apple Mail.

But say you think the one-time lifetime payment price is too high. That's okay too. Just sign up for a subscription plan and enjoy unlimited access to all the features MsgFiler 4 has to offer. You'd have to use MsgFiler 4 for five years before the Lifetime Unlock would have been a better deal.

And, if you think that's still way too much, you can use MsgFiler 4 in Freemium mode. Just be prepared to be constantly nagged to purchase the product or subscribe. When you think about how much time you're wasting waiting for the nag prompt to disappear, you'll realize it's far better to simply pay for the product. You'll be supporting an indie developer and saving yourself time. What's better than that?

MsgFiler 4 will remain the MsgFiler for the foreseeable future. The only way a MsgFiler 5 would exist is if I had to rewrite the app again from the ground up. No guarantees, but seeing that the foundation of MsgFiler 4 is strong, I don't anticipate this happening for many years.


# Onboarding

## Installation

How MsgFiler 4 is installed depends on where you download it:

* **Mac App Store**: If you downloaded from the Mac App Store, the **MsgFiler 4.app** will be placed in your **Applications** folder.
* **Gumroad**: If you purchased MsgFiler from Gumroad, double-click on the Disk Image that you received and drag the **MsgFiler 4.app** icon on top of the **Applications** folder alias.

## Welcome

The first time you run MsgFiler 4, you will go through the onboarding experience. This is where you'll configure MsgFiler 4 for use with your Mac. There are several steps to go through, and some of them are essential.

* [Accessibility](#accessibility)
* [MsgFiler Shortcut](#msgfiler-shortcut)
* [Filing Script](#filing-script)
  * [Gmail](#gmail)
* [Automation](#automation)
* [Purchase](#purchase)
* [Completion](#completion)

<figure><img src="/files/O2qK283xJAvSXC2NFeWQ" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# Accessibility

MsgFiler 4 requires Accessibility permissions to operate. For a new install, if MsgFiler 4 does not already have Accessibility permissions, click Next from the welcome screen to display the following screen.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/iTpphMDC0B4QEolw7g8d" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You will need to grant Accessibility permissions to MsgFiler 4 so it can perform actions against the Mail application, such as:

* getting the list of mailboxes
* getting the current selected messages
* filing messages
* opening mailboxes
* creating new mailboxes

Follow the steps below to grant Accessibility permissions to MsgFiler 4:

1. Click **Open Accessibility**.
2. The **System Settings** application will open to the **Accessibility** pane of the **Privacy & Security** section.
3. MsgFiler will show this screen where you will **click and drag the MsgFiler 4 icon** over to the **Accessibility** pane.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If there is another MsgFiler 4 entry in the Accessibility section, you may need to remove it before the drag and drop can work. Select the MsgFiler 4 entry and click the minus button in the bottom-left of the list of application.
{% endhint %}

<div><figure><img src="/files/I55cMxFyJVcn1LIbCIaM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/hC6r9XNpPIxLsA08QkM2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

When you have successfully dragged the MsgFiler 4 icon, you will see this screen:

<figure><img src="/files/Lx01Yk8DYOvdiYBLuMqo" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# MsgFiler Shortcut

Next you will assign a keyboard shortcut used in Mail to reveal MsgFiler 4.

<figure><img src="/files/vv683aRoa01x0tqYcORC" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can leave the defaults unchanged or customize the following options:

* **Keyboard Shortcut**: The default is Command-9.
* **Action**: When pressing the keyboard shortcut from Mail or MsgFiler 4, you can choose from one of three actions to perform.

See how to customize these options [in this section](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-shortcut).


# Filing Script

The [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script) can supercharge your filing experience in MsgFiler 4. It is an AppleScript that can perform numerous functions that MsgFiler alone cannot do, such as:

* moving and copying Gmail messages
* navigating Mail using the keyboard from MsgFiler 4
* archiving messages from the keyboard in MsgFiler 4
* selecting the next or previous message in a Message Viewer after filing non-Gmail messages

{% hint style="warning" %}
The Mac App Store requires that user scripts such as the MsgFiler Filing Script be installed by the user and not by the application. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we've clarified the installation process as much as possible.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/OIzDN7sSn8fdv7IcsijP" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## After Onboarding

Next, follow these instructions to download and install the Filing Script.

1. Choose **Settings** from the **MsgFiler** menu.
2. Click **Filing**.

<figure><img src="/files/QHU9am3FD9eQ37sN81Jx" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Click **Installation Guide** to review the steps necessary to install the Filing Script.

<figure><img src="/files/WGSNP9u10O8UwZSJp7vg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Click the **Download** button to download a disk image containing the MsgFiler Filing Script.
5. If the disk image does not open automatically, **double-click** on it.
6. The disk image will open up the following window in the Finder.

<figure><img src="/files/evQvuh9iS7Aqg6c9oMCR" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Back in MsgFiler 4, click on the **Show Folder** button. This will open up the special folder assigned to MsgFiler 4 from macOS from which user scripts can be run. This directory is located at:

\
`~/Library/Application Scripts/com.atow.MsgFiler4`<br>

8. Drag the **MsgFiler Filing.scpt** file from the disk image onto the folder that just appeared.

<figure><img src="/files/nBDLUjDUEs5ugUx5KMif" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

10. You can now enable the use of the Filing Script by toggling **Use Filing Script** to the on position.

<figure><img src="/files/ayBkmCXNuKRwnKCBb5Vn" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# Gmail

If you enable the use of the Filing Script, the next screen will allow you to configure how MsgFiler 4 treats Gmail messages.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Remember that in order to file Gmail messages, you must use the Filing Script.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/hMGwgVGBSyKZZZ7KnqY1" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Archive and File

On most macOS Mail accounts that connect with Gmail, MsgFiler 4 must first archive a message before it can move it. This is because of the non-standard way Gmail treats mailboxes. In most mail systems, an email can belong to one and only one mailbox. In Gmail, however, users can assign labels to messages. Labels are somewhat analogous to mailboxes in Gmail, which means a message can appear in multiple mailboxes.

There is a bug in AppleScript wherein setting the mailbox of a message that currently resides in the Inbox does not remove the message from the Inbox. To the user, it appears that the message appears in two mailboxes, the Inbox and the destination mailbox.

To remedy this, MsgFiler 4 will first Archive the message before moving it. Doing so removes the Inbox label from the message before assigning it the destination mailbox label.

## Direct File

Now, some Gmail accounts are configured in such a way that MsgFiler 4 can file directly to a mailbox, with no need to archive first. If you receive an error from MsgFiler 4 when moving or copying a message, try turning off the setting to **Archive messages before filing** in the [Filing Settings](/settings/filing) section.

## Per-Account Settings

In MsgFiler 4.1.0, you can now set your Gmail filing method on a per-account basis. In [Filing Settings](/settings/filing), click on [**Account-Specific Settings**](/settings/filing/account-specific-settings) to configure how each of your Gmail accounts should file their messages.


# Automation

Next, we need to give MsgFiler 4 permission to send Apple Events to Mail. If you have enabled the MsgFiler Filing Script, you will also give permission for MsgFiler 4 to communicate with the System Events application through the Filing Script.

<figure><img src="/files/m2FSX8uuWTREtaA8iCTb" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Click on the **Verify Mail** button. A prompt will appear from macOS asking you to grant MsgFiler 4 permission to communicate with the Mail app using AppleScript.
2. Click **Allow**.

<figure><img src="/files/QkGw0vnJdSFRZykTfd1R" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. If you have enabled the use of the MsgFiler Filing Script, click **Verify System Events**. Another prompt will appear from macOS asking you to grant MsgFiler 4 permission to communicate with System Events.
4. Click **Allow**.

<figure><img src="/files/PJQ7PWXE3xPVj3GNm74b" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When both Mail and System Events have been verified, you will see this screen. You can then click **Next** to go to the next onboarding step.

<figure><img src="/files/OKCkpCYf2z65MJYCeG9k" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# Subscribe or Purchase

MsgFiler 4 is free to use to open mailboxes, toggle read status, flag, and label messages. In the Freemium Mode, it also allows you to use on a **limited basis** the following features:

* moving messages
* copying messages
* navigating Mail from the keyboard
* archiving messages from the keyboard
* creating New Mailboxes
* toggling Focused Filing\*

{% hint style="danger" %}
Focused Filing is only available with a valid license.
{% endhint %}

MsgFiler 4 is available for [purchase and/or subscription](/buy) through two channels:

* [Mac App Store](#mac-app-store)
* [Gumroad](#gumroad)

## Mac App Store

If you downloaded MsgFiler 4 from the Mac App Store, you will be presented with options to purchase a  **Lifetime Unlock** or to subscribe to one of the **Inbox Organization** subscription plans when you click the **Next** button.

<div><figure><img src="/files/ypOpXEkViXSDmAMi4pP8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/nZWEDYNpPcEUIiDjqrAI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

If you do not wish to purchase or subscribe to MsgFiler 4, click **Next**. Otherwise, choose your plan or product and follow the on-screen directions.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The prices for each product are subject to change and depend on which country's App Store you are connecting to on your Mac.
{% endhint %}

## Gumroad

Lifetime Unlock licenses for MsgFiler 4 are available for purchase on Gumroad. If you do not wish to purchase MsgFiler 4 at this time, click **Next** in the two screens below.

Otherwise, click **Purchase** to go to the Gumroad website to buy a license key. Enter it in the text field and click **Activate**.

<div><figure><img src="/files/18whpOg0DGWJQxYqJ0mD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/PgkoU4NSSjn8Jy1w0HWt" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>


# Completion

Congratulations! You've made it through the onboarding process! Click **Start Filing** to exit the onboading screensand to open the MsgFiler 4 main window.

If you haven't installed the [Filing Script](/onboarding/filing-script), this is now the time to do so after clicking Start Filing.

<figure><img src="/files/i0ykKLWimRmHqiJ0Tcmg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# Using MsgFiler

This section covers how to use MsgFiler 4, from the basics all the way to advanced techniques. Get ready for happy filing days!

* [MsgFiler Shortcut](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-shortcut)
* [Filing Messages](/settings/filing)
* [Keyboard Shortcuts](/using-msgfiler/keyboard-shortcuts)
* [Favorite Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/favorite-mailboxes)
* [Recent Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/recent-mailboxes)
* [Mail Navigation](/using-msgfiler/mail-navigation)
* [Action Menu](/using-msgfiler/action-menu)
* [Creating New Mailboxes](/using-msgfiler/creating-new-mailboxes)
* [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script)
* [Filing Focus](/using-msgfiler/focused-filing)

Start first by learning how to invoke MsgFiler 4 using the MsgFiler Shortcut when in Mail or MsgFiler 4.\ <br>

<br>


# MsgFiler Shortcut

The MsgFiler Shortcut is a keyboard shortcut that is global to the Mail and MsgFiler 4 applications. Pressing the shortcut will perform one of three actions:

* toggles MsgFiler on and off
* focuses Between Mail and MsgFiler
* shows MsgFiler
* shows MsgFiler and focuses on search field

## Default Keyboard Shortcut

The default keyboard shortcut is **Command-9**, but may be changed by following the procedure below.

## Changing the Keyboard Shortcut

Follow these steps to change the MsgFiler Shortcut:

1. Open or activate **MsgFiler 4**.
2. Choose **Settings** from the **MsgFiler 4** menu.
3. Click on the **MsgFiler Shortcut** field.
4. Press the keys you want to use to invoke the MsgFiler Shortcut.
5. Choose what action should be performed when invoking the MsgFiler Shortcut.

<figure><img src="/files/BoHqsOAad9XEhb8gnI5c" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# Filing Messages

Using MsgFiler 4 is very simple:

1. Select a message you wish to file in **Apple Mail**.
2. Invoke **MsgFiler 4** by pressing the [MsgFiler Shortcut](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-shortcut). By default, it is **Command-9**, but you can customize it in [General Settings](/settings/general).
3. Type a few characters of the name of the mailbox into which you wish to file the message.
4. When the mailbox you desire is shown at the top of the mailbox results list, press Enter or Return. If there are multiple matches, use the down arrow to select the correct mailbox before hitting Return.

<figure><img src="/files/3mok4XKZyHO5KXw8QmZM" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When you are filing messages, you'll see focus switch over to Mail. If you have the **Keep open after filing** preference checked, MsgFiler 4 will remain activated after filing. Otherwise it will disappear, and you will have to invoke it again. Repeat the process above to continue filing your messages.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Remember: To have MsgFiler 4 select the next message up or down, you'll need to install the [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script).
{% endhint %}

## Wildcard Matching

Inserting a space character in the search field instructs MsgFiler 4 to perform a wildcard search. For instance, suppose you entered:

```
Peo Vi
```

This will match any mailbox that contains those characters:

> **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ctor Jackson`
>
> **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ncent Young`
>
> `Flowers/`**`Peo`**`nies/`**`Vi`**`rginia`

Master the use of the space character to quickly drill down to find the correct mailbox.

## Search Restrictions

By default, MsgFiler 4 is set up to search the entire path for your mailboxes. Additionally, MsgFiler 4 is configured to show only those accounts to which the current selection of messages in Mail belongs. Finally, MsgFiler 4, by default, will perform a case-insensitive search.

You can change these settings in [Search Settings](/settings/search).

## Copying Gmail Messages

Duplicating a message within the same Gmail account results in copies sharing the same ID. If you delete any of these messages from any mailbox, it will delete all messages with the same ID. For instance:

To observe this, copy a message from your Inbox to a new mailbox Test, and delete the copied message in the Test mailbox. The message in the Inbox will also be deleted.

Gmail uses a labeling system rather than the traditional folder structure common in other email services. Messages filed to other mailboxes within the same Gmail account are labeled with the same ID and do not represent actualy duplicated messages.

Starting in MsgFiler 4.1.1, a warning is displayed when trying to copy a message to alert you on the behavior of copying messages.

<figure><img src="/files/j8Gnv3BDJ7mtYfkOqTaB" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Note that this is not a problem when performing the following actions:

* copying messages from a Gmail account to another Gmail account
* copying messages from a Gmail account to another email service
* copying messages from other email services


# Smart Suggestions

Smart Suggestions analyzes your past filing activity and automatically suggests the most likely mailbox or mailboxes where your selected message(s) belong. The suggested mailboxes are generated entirely on your Mac — no data ever leaves your computer.

<figure><img src="/files/sJcWMjnGVPYati4z72WL" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### How does it work?

Every time you file a message, MsgFiler records a small piece of training data: the subject, sender, original account, and the mailbox you filed it into. Over time, this builds a history of your filing patterns.

When you select a new message, MsgFiler:

1. Breaks down the subject and sender (or recipient if filing a sent message) into tokens (for example, “invoice,” “amazon,” or the sender’s domain).
2. Looks up how often those tokens have appeared in your past training data for each mailbox.
3. Calculates probabilities using a lightweight statistical model that evaluates how likely each mailbox is based on your past filing patterns, with safeguards so that new or rare words don’t throw off the results.
4. Normalizes the scores into probabilities so they add up to 100%.
5. Suggests the top mailboxes if their confidence scores are high enough.

The more you file, the better the system becomes at recognizing patterns (e.g. “anything with ‘Amazon’ usually goes to Orders”). If predictions fall below a confidence threshold, MsgFiler won’t suggest anything — so you’re never shown low-quality guesses.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If the number of selected messages is greater than 10, five messages will be chosen at random to act as training data for Smart Suggestions. This is to balance speed of logging and evaluation.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Where do suggestions appear?

When the search field in MsgFiler is empty, you’ll see up to five suggested mailboxes at the top of the mailbox list, above Favorites and Recents.

* If Smart Suggestions is confident, these mailboxes should match where you’d likely file the selected message.
* You can still type in the search field, use Favorites, or browse your full mailbox list as before.
* You can customize how the suggested mailbox looks in the list of results. See [Advanced settings](/settings/advanced) for more details.

<figure><img src="/files/MsOApFEn29sZkol7cfIv" alt=""><figcaption><p>Icon and hilite</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/bqJFsm5V7O4VpvlXkqVL" alt=""><figcaption><p>Title and hilite</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/ah5AyD7Cbc2sgVZphXyK" alt=""><figcaption><p>Title, icon, and hilite</p></figcaption></figure>

### How do I enable it?

1. Go to **Settings > Search**.
2. Turn on **Suggest mailboxes automatically**.
3. While in MsgFiler, you can also press `Shift-Command-S` to toggle Smart Suggestions.

<figure><img src="/files/1wB2fkPX79vZXriHbZyQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Can I see or reset what’s been logged?

Yes.

* In **Settings > Filing**, click **View Smart Suggestions Log** to see what data is stored.
* You can also choose **Reset Smart Suggestions** to erase the log and reset the classifier if you’d like to start fresh.

{% hint style="info" %}
Smart Suggestion logs are local to your Mac. They are never uploaded or shared.
{% endhint %}

### Training without filing

You can train Smart Suggestions without filing by clicking the **Train** button or pressing `Shift-Command-T` on your keyboard. Make sure you have selected the mailbox in which you want to train the selected messages on.

For instance, to bulk train several messages, perform the following in MsgFiler when Smart Suggestions is enabled.

1. Open a mailbox that contains already-filed messages you wish to train on.
2. Select several messages. Recommendation is less than 10.
3. Invoke MsgFiler.
4. Type out the name of the mailbox you are looking at in Mail.
5. Click Train.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 on additional mailboxes and messages.

***

## Tips and Tricks

* Suggestions will improve the more you file — don’t expect them to be perfect right away.
* Filing into the wrong mailbox will also train the system, so if you notice repeated mistakes, use **Reset Smart Suggestions** and retrain by filing correctly. You can also edit the **Suggestions Log** in the text editor of your choice, but you will have to quit and restart MsgFiler for the training data to be processed again.
* Logging adds a small amount of overhead during filing, but you can disable the **Suggest mailboxes automatically**setting in **Settings > Search** if you’d like to speed things up.


# Keyboard Shortcuts

MsgFiler 4 has a number of keyboard shortcuts to make you efficient at filing messages from the keyboard. There are also special keys you can press when focused on the MsgFiler 4 search field or the mailboxes table.

{% hint style="info" %}
Starting with MsgFiler 4.1.0, you can now customize many of these shortcuts. Learn more in [Keyboard Shortcut Settings](/settings/keyboard-shortcuts).
{% endhint %}

## General

These keyboard shortcuts are available when a MsgFiler 4 window is frontmost.

<table><thead><tr><th width="264">Keyboard Shortcut</th><th width="89" align="center">Symbol</th><th width="237">Action</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Shift-Command-F</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘F</strong></td><td>Enters Focused Filing</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-R</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘R</strong></td><td>Reloads mailboxes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Q</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘Q</strong></td><td>Quits MsgFiler</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-W</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘W</strong></td><td>Closes MsgFiler window and returns to Mail</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Comma</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘,</strong></td><td>Opens the Settings window</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

## MsgFiler Window

These keyboard shortcuts are only available when focused on the MsgFiler 4 window.

<table><thead><tr><th width="315">Keyboard Shortcut</th><th width="126" align="center">Symbol</th><th width="184">Action</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Control-Command-A</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌘A</strong></td><td>Archives the selected message(s)</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-C</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘C</strong></td><td>Copies the selected message(s) to the highlighted mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-E</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘E</strong></td><td>Toggles Pressing Enter always performs default action</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-F</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘F</strong></td><td>Toggles Focus on search on activation</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-S</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘S</strong></td><td>Toggles Smart Suggestions</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-L</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘L</strong></td><td>Toggles flag status of selected messages</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-M</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘M</strong></td><td>Moves the selected message(s) to the highlighted mailbox</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-M</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘M</strong></td><td>Toggles Ignore mailbox paths when searching</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-N</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃N</strong></td><td>Moves to the next mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-N</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘N</strong></td><td>Creates a new mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-N</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘N</strong></td><td>Creates a new top-level mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-O</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘O</strong></td><td>Opens the currently selected mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-O</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘O</strong></td><td>Opens the currently selected mailbox in a new window</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-O</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘O</strong></td><td>Toggles Keep open after filing</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-P</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃P</strong></td><td>Moves to the previous mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-P</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘P</strong></td><td>Toggles Play sound after filing</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-S</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘S</strong></td><td>Toggles Restrict search to selected accounts</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-T</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘T</strong></td><td>Train selected messages on the highlighted mailbox</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-U</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘U</strong></td><td>Toggles read status of selected message(s)</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Control-Option-Command-Number</td><td align="center"><strong>⌃⌥⌘ [1-9]</strong></td><td>Performs default action on the Nth item in the mailbox list</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Minus</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘-</strong></td><td>Removes the currently selected mailbox from the Favorites list</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Plus</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘+</strong></td><td>Adds the currently selected mailbox to the Favorites list</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Command-[</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘[</strong></td><td>Cycles through the default actions in reverse</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-]</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘]</strong></td><td>Cycles through the default actions</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shift-Command-\</td><td align="center"><strong>⇧⌘\</strong></td><td>Opens Mail</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Search Field

These hot keys and keyboard shortcuts work when your cursor is in the search field of the MsgFiler 4 window.

<table><thead><tr><th width="199">Keyboard Shortcut</th><th width="96" align="center">Symbol</th><th width="270">Action</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Enter</td><td align="center">↩</td><td>Performs default filing action or focuses on mailbox table</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Escape</td><td align="center">⎋</td><td>Clears the search or closes MsgFiler</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Down Arrow</td><td align="center">↓</td><td>Focuses on the mailbox table</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Up</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>↑</td><td>Selects the previous message in Mail</td><td> 1, 2</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Down</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>↓</td><td>Selects the next message in Mail</td><td> 1, 2</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Left</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>←</td><td>Tries to collapse the conversation in Mail</td><td> 1, 2, 3</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Right</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>→</td><td>Tries to expand the conversation in Mail</td><td> 1, 2, 3</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Mailboxes Table

These hot keys and keyboard shortcuts work when focus is on the Mailboxes Table in the MsgFiler 4 window.

<table><thead><tr><th width="186">Key</th><th width="88" align="center">Symbol</th><th width="258">Action</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Enter</td><td align="center">↩</td><td>Performs default filing action</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Up Arrow</td><td align="center">↑</td><td>Selects the previous mailbox in the Mailboxes Table or returns focus to the search field when the first mailbox in the list is reached</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Up</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>↑</td><td>Selects the previous message in Mail</td><td>1, 2</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Down</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>↓</td><td>Selects the next message in Mail</td><td>1, 2</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Left</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>←</td><td>Tries to collapse the conversation in Mail</td><td>1, 2, 3</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Right</td><td align="center"><strong>⌘</strong>→</td><td>Tries to expand the conversation in Mail</td><td>1, 2, 3</td></tr><tr><td>Numbers 0-9</td><td align="center">0-9</td><td>Selects the mailbox at the given row of the mailbox table</td><td>4</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Additional Notes

1. Requires the [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script).
2. Focus is returned to MsgFiler 4 after running.
3. User must lift the command key after pressing for Mail to recognize the collapse command.
4. 1 is the first item and 0 is the 10th item.
5. Does nothing if the mailbox is not in the Favorites list.
6. Does nothing if the mailbox is already in the Favorites list.
7. Configure in [Advanced Settings](/settings/advanced).
8. Configure in [Filing Settings](/settings/filing).


# Favorite Mailboxes

Marking a mailbox as a favorite will move the mailbox to the top of the results list. Favorite mailboxes are denoted by a bold font.

To mark a mailbox as a favorite, select it in the results list and press `Command-Equal` or choose **Add To Favorites** from the **Action Menu**. Alternatively, you can right-click or control-click on a mailbox in the mailbox table and choose **Add to Favorites** from the context menu that appears.

From **MsgFiler 4 > Settings > Search**, you can reorder your favorites as well.<br>


# Recent Mailboxes

You can turn on the ability for MsgFiler 4 to remember the last ten mailboxes you filed to. As you file messages using MsgFiler 4, recently used mailboxes will rise up to the top of your results window, granting you quick access to these mailboxes during subsequent filing operations. Recent mailboxes are denoted in italics.

<figure><img src="/files/QaxuWIaRcVkZhud5i12q" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Activating Recent Mailboxes

Start remembering recent mailboxes by going to Search Settings and toggling on **Remember recent mailboxes**.

<figure><img src="/files/eCmkizrY2mWyAyhInYIq" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If you find yourself filing often to a mailbox, consider adding it to your favorites.
{% endhint %}


# Mail Navigation

You can use MsgFiler 4 to navigate within the frontmost Mail message viewer. MsgFiler 4 can switch over to the Mail application, perform the navigation operation, and return focus back to MsgFiler 4.

{% hint style="warning" %}
This feature is only available when the MsgFiler Filing Script is installed and activated.
{% endhint %}

<table><thead><tr><th width="265">Keyboard Shortcut</th><th>Action</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Command-Up</td><td>Selects previous message</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Down</td><td>Selects next message</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Command-Left</td><td>Collapses conversation</td><td>You must release the command key immediately after pressing for Mail to recognize the expand conversation action.</td></tr><tr><td>Command-Right</td><td>Expands conversation</td><td>You must release the command key immediately after pressing for Mail to recognize the expand conversation action.</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
You can also select multiple messages at once by by holding down the shift key in conjunction with the Command-Up and Command-Down shortcuts.
{% endhint %}


# Action Menu

The action menu is located next to the search field in the MsgFiler 4 window. It provides quick access to commonly used settings and reveals additional filing options.

<figure><img src="/files/Jv1B0l9B6jOuAXZwqnNc" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## MsgFiler Settings

These options toggle frequently used settings in MsgFiler 4:

* **Keep MsgFiler open after filing**: Enable this when filing dozens or hundreds of emails in a single session.
* **Suggestion mailboxes automatically**: Enables this to automatically suggest mailboxes based on your past filing history. Learn [more about Smart Suggestions here](/using-msgfiler/smart-suggestions).
* **Always show suggestied mailboxes on top**: When Smart Suggestions is enabled, this setting makes sure all suggested mailboxes are at the top of the mailbox list.
* **Pressing Enter always performs default action**: Enable this to perform the default filing action when pressing Enter from the search field. If disabled, pressing Enter will move focus to the Mailboxes table.&#x20;
* **Focus on search on activation**: Enable this to always return to the search field when returning back to MsgFiler 4.
* **Restrict search to selected accounts**: Only show mailboxes that belong to the currently selected Mail account(s). Useful when you have mailboxes with the same name across multiple mail accounts.
* **Ignore mailbox path when matching**: MsgFiler 4 will ignore the mailbox path and only search on the mailbox name.
* **Play sound after filing**: Play the filing sound after filing or archiving messages.
* **Align MsgFiler window to Mail**: When activated, MsgFiler 4 will attach its main window to the right-hand side of the frontmost Mail window.
* **File with number keys**: Enables the Quick File mode that allows you to file messages just by pressing the number keys. Learn [more about Quick File here](/using-msgfiler/quick-file-with-number-keys).

## Filing Commands

* **Move to (mailbox name)**: Moves selected message(s) in Mail to the designated mailbox.
* **Copy to (mailbox name)**: Copies selected message(s) in Mail to the designated mailbox.
* **Archive**: Archives the selected message(s) in Mail.
* **Toggle Read Status**: Toggles between read and unread for the selected message(s) in Mail.
* **Flag**: Assigns or removes a flag from the selected message(s) in Mail.
* **Label**: Assigns or removes a color label from the selected message(s) in Mail.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Moving and copying messages that belong to Gmail accounts requires the installation and activation of the MsgFiler Filing Script. Archiving and toggling the read status or flag of selected messages, regardless of account, also requires the MsgFiler Filing Script.
{% endhint %}

## Mailbox Commands

* **Show Mailbox (mailbox):** Sets the frontmost message viewer to display the contents of the selected mailbox.
* **Show Mailbox (mailbox) in New Viewer**: Opens a new Mail message viewer focused on the selected mailbox.
* **Add (mailbox) to Favorites**: Adds the designated mailbox to the Favorite Mailboxes list.
* **Remove (mailbox) From Favorites**: Removes the designated mailbox from the Favorite Mailboxes list.
* **Clear Recent Mailboxes**: Removes all entries from the Recent Mailboxes list.
* **New Mailbox Under (mailbox)**: Creates a new mailbox underneath the currently selected mailbox.
* **New Top-Level Mailbox**: Creates a new mailbox at the top-level of a mail account.
* **Reload Mailboxes**: Reloads the list of mailboxes from Mail.

## Focused Filing

* **Enter Focused Filing**: Dims the screen and hides all applications except for Mail and MsgFiler 4 to faciliate focused message filing.
* **Exit Focused Filing**: Deactivates Focused Filing if it is enabled.

## Other Commands

* **Purchase:** Open the Purchase window. This menu option does not appear if you are on a subscription plan or have purchased the Lifetime Unlock.
* **Settings**: Opens the MsgFiler 4 Settings window.
* **About MsgFiler**: Opens the About MsgFiler window.
* **Visit Website**: Opens default browser to msgfiler.com.
* **Quit**: Quits the MsgFiler 4 application.


# Creating New Mailboxes

With MsgFiler 4 you can quickly create new mailboxes, either underneath an existing mailbox or at the top level of a mail account.

## New Mailbox

Follow these steps to create a new mailbox underneath an existing mailbox.

1. With the mailbox selected, choose **New Mailbox**  from the **Action Menu** or press `Command-Shift-N` to display the New Mailbox dialog.

<figure><img src="/files/erqH1MouTGfZZnDfRXUi" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Enter the **name of the new mailbox**.
3. Click **OK**.

In the example above, a mailbox named "Bills" will be created underneath the "Finances" mailbox.

## New Top-Level Mailbox

Follow these steps to create a new top-level mailbox in an email account.

1. Choose **New Top-Level Mailbox** from the  **Action Menu** or press `Command-Option-Control-N` to bring up the New Top-Level Mailbox dialog.

<figure><img src="/files/JW9W0MLpQyMTPEiVXUzQ" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Click the Account drop-down menu to and choose the **account** where you want the new mailbox to reside. It will be created at the root of the account.
3. Enter the **name of the mailbox** to be created.
4. Click **OK**.

A new mailbox will be created at the top level of the selected account.

## Focusing on the Newly Created Mailbox

The process to create a new mailbox takes some time since MsgFiler 4 is communicating with Mail via AppleScript. When it is finished, MsgFiler 4 will enter the new mailbox name in the search field.


# MsgFiler Filing Script

By default, MsgFiler 4 can perform many actions on Mail, such as opening mailboxes, creating new mailboxes, flagging and labeling messages, and more. If you do not have any Gmail accounts, MsgFiler 4 can also file messages without any help. It does this by communicating with Apple Mail using AppleScript.

{% hint style="warning" %}
It's strongly recommended to install and activate the MsgFiler Filing Script even if you don't have a Gmail account. It brings all the performance and features from previous versions of MsgFiler back to MsgFiler 4 running o n macOS Sonoma!
{% endhint %}

If you have Gmail accounts, however, MsgFiler 4 needs to perform some extra steps to make sure your emails are filed properly. And unfortunately, MsgFiler 4 cannot perform these steps due to restrictions on apps by the App Sandbox (see [Why a Separate Script?](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script/why-a-separate-script)) and Mac App Store. By installing the MsgFiler Filing Script in MsgFiler 4's dedicated Application Scripts folder, MsgFiler 4 can now send these extra commands to Mail to enable the following:

* filing messages to Gmail accounts
* selecting the next/previous message after filing to non-Gmail accounts
* archiving messages from MsgFiler 4
* shortcut actions

{% hint style="info" %}
To learn more about the history behind the MsgFiler Filing Script, [click here](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script/why-a-separate-script).
{% endhint %}

## Installation

Installation of the MsgFiler Filing Script is covered in the [Filing Script](/onboarding/filing-script) section of "Onboarding."

The **MsgFiler Filing.scpt** file will be placed in the following location on your computer:

`~/Library/Application Scripts/com.atow.MsgFiler4`

Scripts run by MsgFiler 4 from this folder are allowed to do so outside of the App Sandbox. Commands for archiving Gmail messages or selecting the next/previous message in the Message Viewer are only available when run outside of the App Sandbox.

## Post-Installation

Once and if MsgFiler Filing Script has been installed and enabled, MsgFiler 4's title bar will change to read MsgFiler + Filing Script.

<div><figure><img src="/files/kHKvQUf8QzV9fe37GkiA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/pkXSYzCrA79P2BXQdkvD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Automation Permission

If you install the MsgFiling Filing Script, an additional Automation prompt will appear asking you to grant MsgFiler 4 access to control System Events. This is required in order for the MsgFiler Filing Script to work properly.

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/oYPKtVZnefcbrcr0ZF2Y" alt=""><figcaption><p>You must allow MsgFiler 4 to control System Events in order for the Filing Script to work properly.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Re-installing the Script

At any point, you can re-install the MsgFiler Filing Script by following these steps:

1. Open **MsgFiler 4**.
2. Choose **Settings…** from the **MsgFiler 4** menu.
3. Click **Filing**.
4. Click **Installation Guide….**

<figure><img src="/files/ayBkmCXNuKRwnKCBb5Vn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. MsgFiler 4 will display a dialog with instructions on how to download the MsgFiler Filing Script disk image.
6. Open the disk image.
7. Navigate to the following directory: `~/Library/Application Scripts/com.atow.MsgFiler4`
8. Copy the **MsgFiler Filing.scpt** file into the folder that comes up.

{% hint style="info" %}
If and when there are updates to the MsgFiler Filing Script, MsgFiler will prompt you to update the script as well.
{% endhint %}


# Why a Separate Script?

The **MsgFiler Filing Script** for **MsgFiler 4** is the spiritual successor to the [MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In](/support/engine) used by MsgFiler 3 to bring fast-filing capabilities to Mail. The release of macOS Sonoma [marked the end of Mail Plug-Ins](https://tow.com/2023/06/12/rip-msgfiler-and-mail-plug-ins-in-macos-sonoma/), and for a time it was thought to herald MsgFiler's passing as well.

But like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, MsgFiler 4 has been rewritten from the ground up as a native SwiftUI application for macOS Sonoma. Here are further details on the MsgFiler Engine Filing script.

Developing applications for the Mac App Store requires that application adhere to certain App Sandbox rules. One of them is that apps cannot communicate with programs outside of a permitted range. While MsgFiler 4 has a temporary entitlement to communicate with the Mail application, there are certain actions that require additional assistance:

* filing messages to Gmail accounts
* selecting the next message in the message viewer after filing non-Gmail messages
* archiving messages from MsgFiler 4
* running certain Shortcut actions

## Understanding the App Sandbox

The [App Sandbox](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/app_sandbox/) is a security feature of macOS designed to prevent damage to the system and user data if an app is compromised or poorly written. It restricts an app's access to certain system resources, user files, and other applications. Each app operates in its own environment, and it can perform certain actions only if it has permission to do so.

Let's take a look at each of the actions above to see why and how the App Sandbox prevents MsgFiler 4 from performing them out of the box.

### Filing to Gmail

Gmail is one of the most popular email providers on the internet. Filing to Gmail accounts, however requires that MsgFiler 4 perform two things in succession:

1. archive the email message
2. move the email message

If MsgFiler 4 did not archive the message first and instead just instructed Mail to file the message, Mail would apply the mailbox label to the message but would not remove the Inbox label. As a result, the email message would appear in two places, the desired mailbox and the Inbox. Deleting the message from the Inbox would also delete it from the destination mailbox.

In order to archive the message, MsgFiler 4 must call the **System Events** application to programmatically instruct Mail to select the **Archive** menu item under the Message menu. Apps on the Mac App Store, however, are prevented from calling System Events directly.

### Selecting the Next Message

When you use MsgFiler 4 to file non-Gmail messages, Mail loses its selection in the frontmost message viewer. As a result, users will have to use their mouse or trackpad to select the next message for filing. This is not an optimal experience.

In order to instruct Mail to move to the next (or previous) message, it needs to call the System Events application to send a key code to Mail.

* Key Code 125 - Down Arrow
* Key Code 126 - Up Arrow

Again, because System Events is not an application that can be directly controlled by an App Store app, MsgFiler 4 alone cannot perform this function out of the box.

### Archiving Messages

MsgFiler 4 has a menu and keyboard shortcut to archive selected messages in Mail. As with filing Gmail messages, there is no way to programmatically choose the Archive menu item in Mail in a sandboxed application like MsgFiler 4.

### Shortcut Actions

One of the exciting new features in MsgFiler 4 is Apple Shortcuts support. There are actions to file the currently selected messages in Mail, create new mailboxes, find mailboxes, and more. If you want to use Shortcuts to file Gmail messages, however, the app needs to work around the App Sandbox.

## The Right App Store Approved Way to Run Scripts Outside of the Sandbox

Fortunately, Apple has provided a solution for app developers to run scripts outside of the App Sandbox. Users can install scripts within an application's entry in the Application Scripts folder residing in the user's Library. For MsgFiler 4, this location is at:

```
~/Library/Application Scripts/com.atow.MsgFiler4
```

The key thing is that the user has to install the scripts in this directory. The app cannot automatically copy files to it.


# Quick File with Number Keys

Quick File is a fast way to file messages in MsgFiler using just the number keys on your keyboard. To enable filing with number keys, perform the following:

1. In MsgFiler, click on the **Action** menu.
2. Enable **File with number keys**

You can also press **Control-Option-Command-Q** to enable filing with number keys.

## Usage

When filing with number keys is activated, focus will move from the search field to the mailboxes list, and the number column in MsgFiler will highlight in red. The status bar will also reflect that Quick File has been enabled.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/2NKBIfhjpbNOaVEILsMs" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Press a 0-9 on your keyboard to file the selected messages in Mail directly into the numbered mailboxes.&#x20;

This feature is useful if you have the **Keep MsgFiler open after filing** preference enabled, since focus will return to MsgFiler, allowing you to file subsequent messages using the number keys.

### Deactivating Quick File

When you are done filing with the number keys, you can deactivate Quick File in one of several ways:

* Go to the Action menu and disable File using number keys
* Press the keyboard shortcut to turn it off.
* Double or triple press the Escape key if you've defined it.
* Click the stop button in the status bar.

The number column will return to the primary color from red.

### Escape key activation

You can also configure the Escape key to toggle filing with number keys when double or triple pressed. Configure this [General settings](/settings/general).


# Focused Filing

Focused Filing enables to focus on filing your messages by dimming your computer's screen and hiding all applications except for MsgFiler 4 and Mail. This gives you a clean workspace in which to file your email messages.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/F1vLfBNGf0s>" %}
Focused Filing Demo
{% endembed %}

## Activate Focused Filing

Choose **Toggle Focused Filing** from the **View** menu or press `Command-Shift-F` to activate Focused Filing, and again to deactivate it if desired while still in MsgFiler 4.

### Display Button in Main Window

You can display a Focused Filing toggle button in MsgFiler 4's Main Window by going to to the Focused Filing Settings and checking **Display button in main window**.

<figure><img src="/files/eVkptgFfQ2inDFjruZgt" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Deactivate Focused Filing

You can manually deactivate Focused Filing by pressing the keyboard shortcut when in MsgFiler.

## Automatically Resume Focused Filing

Focused Filing temporarily deactivates when you switch to any application other than MsgFiler 4 or Mail. When you return to MsgFiler 4 or Mail, Focused Filing automatically turns back on. If you wish to have MsgFiler 4 deactivate Focused Filing when you switch out of Mail or MsgFiler 4, you can disable the **Automatically resume Focused Filing** preference in [Advanced Settings](/settings/advanced).

## Adjusting Opacity and Animation Speed

You can adjust the amount of dimming and the animation speed in the Focused Filing Settings page. By default, screens will be dimmed by 75% over 0.5 seconds.&#x20;

## Dim All Screens

Focused Filing dims all screens so you can completely focus on the task at hand. You can opt to dim only the screen the MsgFiler 4 window is active on by unchecking the **Dim all screens** setting.


# Settings

MsgFiler 4 is highly configurable to your needs. To make adjustments, choose Settings from the MsgFiler menu or press `Command-,` while in MsgFiler 4. The Settings window has nine tabbed sections:

* [General](/settings/general)
* [Search](/settings/search)
* [Filing](/settings/filing)
* [Focus](/settings/focused-filing-settings)
* [Advanced](/settings/advanced)
* [Shortcuts](/settings/keyboard-shortcuts)
* [License](/settings/license-settings)
* [Support](/settings/support-settings)
* [About](/settings/about-settings)


# General

This section contains startup, display, and keyboard shortcut settings for MsgFiler 4.

<figure><img src="/files/BoHqsOAad9XEhb8gnI5c" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Startup

* **Launch at login**: Turn this on to have MsgFiler 4 launch whenever your Mac restarts.
* **Hide MsgFiler in Dock**: Enable this to hide the MsgFiler 4 icon from the Dock and to turn the application into a floating panel over all applications. If you use Mail is full-screen mode, you will want to enable this, as MsgFiler 4 will be able to share the same Space as Mail.&#x20;

## Display

* **List font**: Configure the font used in the Mailboxes Table.
* **Reset**: Resets the font used in the Mailboxes Table back to the System font at 12 points.

## Keyboard Shortcut

* **Action**: Choose from one of three actions performed when pressing the MsgFiler Shortcut:
  * Toggle MsgFiler on and off
  * Focus Between Mail and MsgFiler
  * Show MsgFiler
  * Show MsgFiler and focus on search
* **MsgFiler Shortcut**: Configure the keyboard shortcut used to invoke MsgFiler 4 or to switch between MsgFiler 4 and Mail. Learn more in the [MsgFiler Shortcut section](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-shortcut).

### Enter Key

* **Pressing Enter in search**: Choose what happens when you press the Enter key in the search field. MsgFiler 4 can either perform the default action or focus on the Mailboxes Table.

### Escape Key

The Escape key can be used to perform up to three functions, depending on whether you single, double, or triple press the key.

* Close MsgFiler
* Clear the search field
* Toggle filing with number keys
* Do nothing


# Search

These settings change how MsgFiler 4 searches and filters the list of mailboxes from Mail.

<figure><img src="/files/M8XLiPPNLr00ZxTNZy6Q" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Smart Suggestions

* **Suggest mailboxes automatically**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will log your filing actions and use this data to predict mailboxes in which to file your selected messages in Apple Mail. [Learn more about Smart Suggestions](/using-msgfiler/smart-suggestions).
* **Show suggested mailboxes on top**: When enabled, suggested mailboxes from Smart Suggestions will always be visible above Favorite, Recent, and queried mailboxes. Note that if there is a single exact match based on your search query, that result will always be placed on top above any suggested mailboxes.
* **Reset Smart Suggestions**: Clears all stored training data so MsgFiler can start learning your filing habits from scratch.
* **View Suggestions Log**: Displays the local log of filing activity used to train Smart Suggestions.

## Search Restrictions

* **Restrict search to selected accounts**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will analyze the currently selected messages and display only those mailboxes that belong to the account(s) of the messages.
* **Prioritize accounts of selected messages**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will show mailbox results from the accounts that belong to the selected message(s). This is useful if you have the identically named mailboxes across multiple email accounts.&#x20;
* **Ignore mailbox path when matching**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will only search on the name of the mailbox and ignore any parent folders.
* **Case-sensitive search**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will perform a case-sensitive search for your mailboxes.&#x20;

### Search Field

* **Focus on search on activation**: When returning to MsgFiler 4, focus will automatically return to the search field and select any pre-existing text.
* **Search field contents on activation**: Control how the contents of the search field are handled when returning to MsgFiler.
  * **Retain**: The contents of the search field are retained when you return to MsgFiler.
  * **Clear Always**: The contents of the search field are always cleared when returning to MsgFiler.
  * **Clear Only After Action**: The contents of the search field are cleared only after performing a filing action.

## Recent and Favorite Mailboxes

* **Remember recent mailboxes**: When enabled, MsgFiler 4 will remember the last ten mailboxes you filed to, excluding favorite mailboxes.
* **Clear Recents**: When Remember recent mailboxes is active, this button appears and you can click it to clear the list of recent mailboxes.
* **Favorite mailboxes**: Click the Reorder button to reorder your favorite maiboxes.
* **Sync favorite mailboxes to iCloud**: Share your favorite mailboxes across all Mac computers logged into the same iCloud account.
* **Show mailbox name only for favorites**: Enable this to hide the mailbox path for favorite mailboxes.
* **Clear Favorites**: Click this button to remove all of your mailboxes from the Favorites list.

## Mailbox Visibility

* **Excluded mailboxes**: You can specify keywords to exclude from your list of mailboxes and accounts. This is useful if you don't want to see certain mailboxes in the list of returned results. Click **Manage** to display a sheet where you can view and edit your list of Excluded Mailboxes.

<figure><img src="/files/7U9diXeRRVQX69PDTD8T" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Excuded Mailboxes</p></figcaption></figure>

After editing the list of Excluded Mailboxes, click **Save** to save your changes. Any matching word will exclude both mailboxes and accounts with the indicated names from the search results in MsgFiler 4.


# Filing

This section configures how MsgFiler 4 operates before, during, and after filing.

<figure><img src="/files/D2B8wQyCi4gtGsJXNWSF" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## &#x20;Before Filing

* **Default Action**: Choose the default action to move messages, copy messages, open the currently selected mailbox, or do nothing.

## During Filing

* **Use Filing Script**: Enables the use of the [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script). This enables MsgFiler 4 to perform additional actions such as filing Gmail messages, archiving messages from Mail, and more.
* **Installation Guide**: Learn how to download and install the MsgFiler Filing Script.
* **Gmail filing method**: Read the [Onboarding section on Gmail](/onboarding/gmail) for information about this setting.
* **Account-Specific Settings**: Set a different Gmail filing method for each of your Gmail accounts.
* **Mark messages as read**: Enable to have Mail mark all selected messages as read before filing.
* **Flag filed messages**: Enable to have Mail flag all selected messages with a custom flag before filing.
* **Label filed messages**: Enable to have Mail color code all selected messages with a chosen color or remove the messages' color label(s) before filing.

## After Filing

* **Keep MsgFiler open after filing**: Enable this when filing dozens or hundreds of emails in a single session. After filing, focus will return to MsgFiler 4 whereupon you can enter a new mailbox for filing the next selected message in Mail.
* **Move selection**: If you are filing non-Gmail messages, MsgFiler 4 will try to select the next or previous message in Mail after filing. This feature requires the MsgFiler Filing Script to be installed and activated in order to work.
* **Play sound after filing**: Turn this on to play a custom sound after filing messages in Mail.
* **Filing sound**: MsgFiler 4 comes with a series of different filing sounds, from fun to playful to subtle to professional. Or let MsgFiler 4 choose a random filing sound!

{% hint style="warning" %}
There is not an easy way to determine whether the Mail selection is at the end or beginning of the Message Viewer. As a result, Mail may lose its selection if you are:

* At the end of the message list and MsgFiler 4 is configured to move the selection down.
* At the beginning of the message list and MsgFiler 4 is configured to move the selection up.
  {% endhint %}


# Account-Specific Settings

Starting in MsgFiler 4.1.0, you can now specify account-specific filing method settings for each of your [Gmail accounts](/onboarding/gmail). This is useful if one of your accounts has problems with the Archive and File method or if another account cannot Direct File.

1. Open **MsgFiler Settings**.
2. Click **Filing Settings**.
3. Make a note of the default **Gmail filing method**.
4. Click **Account-Specific Settings**.

<figure><img src="/files/CW7p2V1BpXWFEhUyO6xw" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Set the desired filing method settings for each of your accounts.&#x20;
6. Click **Done**.


# Focus

Change settings related to the [Focused Filing](/using-msgfiler/focused-filing) feature.

<figure><img src="/files/i8qb898nt5gSKpZ8Fe9q" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## **General**

* **Keyboard Shortcut**: The default for toggling Focused Filing is `Command-Shift-F`. You can change this in [Keyboard Shortcut Settings](/settings/keyboard-shortcuts).
* **Resume automatically**: If on, Focused Filing will automatically resume whenever the user returns to MsgFiler 4 or Mail. If off, it will turn off when the user switches to another application and will not automatically resume when the user returns.
* **Display button in main window**: Displays a button to toggle Focused Filing on and off next to the Show button at the bottom of the main window.

## **Animation**

* **Opacity**: Set the opacity of the dimmed screen when enabling [Focused Filing](/using-msgfiler/focused-filing).
* **Duration**: Set the animation time when turning on and off Focused Filing.
* **Dim all screens**: When on, dims all screens connected to your Mac when Focused Filing is active.


# Advanced

Configure additional settings in the Advanced Settings section.

<figure><img src="/files/zrV3JiZvB9o4krrVTGy2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## **User Interface**

* **Display number of mailbox matches**: When on, MsgFiler 4 will show at the bottom of its window the number of mailboxes that match the current search string.
* **Display total number of filed messages**: Want to see how many messages you've filed over the years of using MsgFiler 4? Turn this setting on and it will be shown at the bottom of the MsgFiler 4 window. The number of filed messages will also appear at the top of the Settings window.
* **Automatically reload mailboxes**: When on, MsgFiler 4 will attempt to detect when new mailboxes have been added to Mail. When detected, it will automatically sync mailboxes from Mail to MsgFiler 4.
* **Stay open after flagging and labeling**: MsgFiler 4 will respect the setting to stay open after filing unless you toggle this setting off. Doing so will prevent MsgFiler 4 from returning to Mail after performing an individual flag or labeling operation.
* **Stay open after showing mailbox**: Toggling this setting will keep MsgFiler 4 open and active after showing a mailbox in Mail.
* **Use legacy mailbox retrieval method**: MsgFiler 4.2.0 introduces a faster way to load your mailboxes. If you encounter problems, you can use the older legacy method by enabling this setting. Note that on macOS 26 Tahoe, the speed of loading mailboxes using the legacy method will be slower due to a bug/regression in macOS 26.
* **Mailbox path truncation**: Choose how long mailbox names are truncated:
  * Head
  * Middle
  * Tail
* **Suggested mailbox label style**: Choose how suggested mailboxes are displayed in the mailboxes list:

  * Icon only
  * Icon and Hilite
  * Title only
  * Title and Hilite
  * Title and Icon
  * Title, Icon, and Hilite

  Hilite draws a light border around the suggested mailbox in the current system accent color.
* **Show train mailbox button**: This will display a Train button next to the Show, Copy, and Move buttons in the MsgFiler window.
* **Disable auto-scroll to top of mailbox list**: By default, MsgFiler will automatically scroll the mailbox list whenever you type in the search field or when a smart suggestion is generated. Disable this by unchecking this checkbox.
* **Use legacy mailbox retrieval method**: In MsgFiler 4.3.0, a much faster method for retrieving the list of mailboxes from Mail was introduced. Check this box to use the older, slower method of mailbox retrieval from MsgFiler 4.0.0 to 4.2.0.&#x20;

### Window

* **Align MsgFiler window to Mail**: When invoked, MsgFiler 4 will attach its main window to the frontmost Mail window.
* **Position**: Select the position to attach the MsgFiler 4 window.
  * Top-Left
  * Top-Center
  * Top-Right
  * Left-Top
  * Left-Center
  * Left-Bottom
  * Right-Top
  * Right-Center
  * Right-Bottom
  * Bottom-Left
  * Bottom-Center
  * Bottom-Right
* **Window Collection Behavior**: Adjust how the MsgFiler window behaves in macOS.
  * **Floating**: This is the window that MsgFiler uses when the Hide Dock Icon setting is enabled. It is designed to float over all other windows. Use it when using Mail in full-screen mode and you want MsgFiler to not force a Spaces switch.
  * **Standard**: This is the window that MsgFiler uses when the Hide Dock Icon setting is disabled. MsgFiler behaves like a normal macOS application in this mode.

<figure><img src="/files/p7VGMtKcV4B2zeeMrbD2" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Logging

* **Log filing actions**: Enable to have MsgFiler write to a log file whenever moving or copying messages to mailboxes. Information stored will have:
  * **Timestamp**: The date and time when the filing operation was executed.
  * **Operation**: Move or copy.
  * **Count**: The number of messages filed.
  * **Destination**: The account and mailbox where the messages were filed.
* **Clear Log**: Delete the log file.
* **View Log**: Open the log file in your default text editor.

## Reset

* **Show warning when copying messages**: Display a warning notice when copying messages. See [troubleshooting section on copying messages](/support/msgfiler-4/troubleshooting#copying-gmail-messages-within-the-same-account-doesnt-seem-to-work) for more information.
* **Setup Wizard**: Displays the onboarding screens.
* **Reset Settings**: Resets MsgFiler 4 back to its factory defaults. You will need to restart the application for all changes to be reset.


# Shortcuts

Starting in MsgFiler 4.1.0 and on macOS 14 and higher, you can customize the keyboard shortcuts used for many of MsgFiler's settings and functions.

{% hint style="warning" %}
macOS Ventura users will be able to view the assigned keyboard shortcuts, but not edit them.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/IQeDc5OmBRhNZy6J1Egg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Changing Keyboard Shortcuts

To change a keyboard shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Open **MsgFiler Settings**.
2. Click **Shortcuts**.
3. Click on the button next to the action you want to change.
4. In the window that appears, type your new keyboard shortcut.
5. Click **Done**.

<div><figure><img src="/files/USk1FHildHkqnNY2HKT3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/YH9RDFYlj470GLlxONVj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Disabling Keyboard Shortcuts

To disable an action's keyboard shortcuts, do the following:

1. Open **MsgFiler Settings**.
2. Click **Shortcuts**.
3. Click on the button next to the action you want to change.
4. In the window that appears, uncheck the **Enabled** checkbox.
5. Click **Done**.

<div><figure><img src="/files/sVMNQ2PIKOeaL9avzcU0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/ej5n9pJg3MpUXRH4kXyn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The keyboard shortcut will now say "None". To reactivate, edit the keyboard shortcut and check the **Enabled** checkbox.

## Numbered Mailboxes

You can change the keyboard modifier used to file to numbered mailboxes:

* Disabled
* Control-Option-Command
* Option-Command
* Command

<figure><img src="/files/j57PDuQrdOakYM39Rf9P" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Resetting Keyboard Shortcuts

To reset all keyboard shortcuts back to their defaults, click on the **Reset Keyboard Shortcuts…** button at the bottom-right of the Keyboard Shortcuts settings page.


# License

This section is different depending on which version of MsgFiler 4 you are using.

## Mac App Store

This section displays purchasing options and information when you have signed up for a subcription or purchased the Lifetime Unlock.&#x20;

The prices shown are subject to change and will depend on which country's App Store your Mac is currently attached to.

<div><figure><img src="/files/RQs57QKUUoEcN6aBnqX7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/gHIpYwawh6nnXDVJ0iZI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

* **Restore Purchases**: If you reinstalled MsgFiler 4 and your license information does not appear, click Restore Purchases to contact the App Store and try to retrieve your past transactions.
* **Manage Subscriptions**: You can cancel your subscription on this Apple website.
* **Change Plan**: If you want to upgrade or downgrade your subscription, or purchase a Lifetime Unlock, click **Change Plan**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you purchase the Lifetime Unlock and are currently subscribed to a monthly or annual plan, you will have to cancel your subscription from the Manage Subscriptions page. [Learn more here](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039).
{% endhint %}

## Gumroad

This section displays information about your license key. If you have not registered MsgFiler 4, you can enter your license key and activate your copy.

* **Purchase**: Open a browser to Gumroad's website to purchase a license for MsgFiler 4.
* **Activate**: Find your License Key in the confirmation email you received after you purchased MsgFiler 4 from Gumroad. Click **Activate** to verify your license details and register MsgFiler 4.
* **Deactivate License**: Remove the license from this Mac.

<div><figure><img src="/files/h2ujqRyaU9b8k8ZykO82" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/vQ5n7CdPg4V9IKXaKmr8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The information displayed when you verify your license key is as follows:

* **License Key**: The license key you entered.
* **Registered Email**: The email address associated with the purchase from Gumroad.
* **Purchase Date**: The date the Lifetime Unlock license for MsgFiler 4 was purchased.


# Support

Get support for MsgFiler 4:

* [Documentation](/using-msgfiler): The link to this website.
* [Blog](https://msgfiler.com/blog): A link to articles and news about MsgFiler.
* [Support](/support): A link to the support page on this website.
* [Submit a Question](https://msgfiler.com/help-desk): Got a question that can't be answered in the documentation or troubleshooting sections? Ask away!
* [Privacy Policy and EULA](/privacy-policy): Privacy policy and end-user license agreement for MsgFiler.

<figure><img src="/files/yiPtUrvffSkYqrpvbPF9" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


# About

Displays information about the current MsgFiler version and build.

<figure><img src="/files/pCLRiNFlsXEGdcRLFTCz" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Version**: The current version of MsgFiler 4.
* **Build**: The build number for this version of MsgFiler 4.
* **Acknowledgements**: Displays a screen listing open-source software used in MsgFiler 4.
* **Visit Website**: Opens a new browser window to <https://msgfiler.com>

If you are requesting support, please include the version and build number in your report.


# AppleScript

You can control and access information from MsgFiler 4 using [AppleScript](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/introduction/ASLR_intro.html).

* [Properties](/applescript/properties)
* [Commands](/applescript/commands)


# Properties

You can access the following properties in MsgFiler 4 using AppleScript.

* **keep open after filing** (boolean): If true, MsgFiler 4 stays open after filing. If false, it closes.
* **mark messages as read** (boolean): If true, messages are marked as read when filing. If false, the read status is not changed.
* **move selection down after filing** (boolean): If true, moves the selection down after a message is filed. If false, moves the selection up. This setting is ignored when Gmail messages are filed if the MsgFiler Filing Script is active.
* **beep after filing** (boolean): If true, plays a sound after filing.
* **focus on search on activation** (boolean): If true, returns focus to the search field on activation of app.
* **case sensitive** (boolean): If true, searches are case-sensitive; otherwise they aren't.
* **selected accounts only** (boolean): If true, mailbox searches will be performed only over accounts of the currently selected messages.
* **mailbox name only** (boolean): If true, mailbox searches will be performed only on the mailbox name and not the full path.
* **label filed messages** (integer): Labels filed messages. Specify -1 to 6.
* **flag filed messages** (integer): Flags filed messages. Specify -1 to 6.
* **display filed count** (boolean): If true, the total number of messages filed will be displayed.
* **filed count** (integer, r/o): The total number of messages filed.
* **archive gmail messages before filing** (boolean): If true, MsgFiler 4 tries to archive Gmail messages before filing.
* **selected mailbox name** (text, r/o): The name of the currently selected mailbox.
* **selected mailbox path** (text, r/o): The path of the currently selected mailbox.
* **selected mailbox account** (text, r/o): The account of the currently selected mailbox.
* **focused filing opacity** (number): The opacity of the Filing Focus overlay.
* **focused filing animation duration** (number): The duration of the Filing Focus activation animation.
* **focused filing on all screens** (boolean): If true, Filing Focus when active dims all screens connected to the Mac.
* **focused filing resume** (boolean): If true, resumes Focused Filing when returning to MsgFiler 4 and Mail.
* **mailboxes loading percentage (number)**: Used internally to display progress of reloading mailboxes.


# Commands

You can send the following commands to MsgFiler 4 using AppleScript.

* **reload mailboxes**: Reloads mailboxes. Returns true if the mailboxes were loaded properly or false if they are not.
* **play filing sound**: Plays the filing sound. Returns true if the sound was played.
* **select message down**: Selects the message down in the message viewer. \[[1](#additional-notes)]
* **select message up**: Selects the message up in the message viewer. \[[1](#additional-notes)]
* **collapse conversation**: Collapses the conversation in the message viewer.  \[[1](#additional-notes)]
* **expand conversation**: Expands the conversation in the message viewer. \[[1](#additional-notes)]
* **update mailboxes** (mailbox list): Sends a complete list of mailboxes to display in MsgFiler 4. Used internally to generate said list. Parameter needs to be in list format. This command is to be used in conjunction with the legacy mailbox retrieval method.
* **refresh mailboxes** (list of account and mailbox error text): Sends a complete list of mailboxes to display in MsgFiler 4. Used internally to generate said list. Parameter needs to be in list format. This command is used with the new mailbox retrieval method introduced in MsgFiler 4.2.0.
* **gmail account filing mode**: Gets the account-specific Gmail filing method setting. Direct parameter is the name of the account.

## Additional Notes

1. Requires that the MsgFiler Filing Script is installed and activated.


# Shortcuts

MsgFiler 4 features several actions for [Apple Shortcuts](https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/welcome/ios) to automate filing and controlling Mail.

* [File Messages](/shortcuts/file-messages)
* [Find Account](/shortcuts/find-account)
* [Find Mailbox](/shortcuts/find-mailbox)
* [Get MsgFiler Setting](/shortcuts/get-msgfiler-setting)
* [Get Selected Email](/shortcuts/get-selected-email)
* [New Mailbox](/shortcuts/new-mailbox)
* [Set Filing Focus](/shortcuts/set-focused-filing)
* [Set MsgFiler Setting](/shortcuts/set-msgfiler-setting)
* [Set Search Query](/shortcuts/set-search-query)
* [Show Mailbox](/shortcuts/show-mailbox)


# File Messages

Move, copy, or archive selected messages in Mail to the designated mailbox. Archiving messages or filing messages from Gmail accounts requires the installation and activation of the MsgFiler Filing Script.

| Parameters    | Description                            |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Filing Action | Move, copy, or archive.                |
| Mailbox       | The mailbox to file the messages into. |

| Returns | Description                                        |
| ------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Boolean | True if the filing action succeeded. Error if not. |

{% hint style="warning" %}
Remember that the [MsgFiler Filing Script](/using-msgfiler/msgfiler-filing-script) is required to file messages to Gmail accounts or archive selected messages.
{% endhint %}


# Find Account

Find email accounts in Mail.

<table><thead><tr><th width="314">Parameters</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Account</td><td>If provided, the action will search through the items passed as input (optional). Otherwise, the action will search through all accounts.</td></tr><tr><td>Filter</td><td>Account name or server name.</td></tr><tr><td>Sort by</td><td>Account name, server name, or random.</td></tr><tr><td>Limit</td><td>Limits the number of items returned.</td></tr></tbody></table>

| Returns  | Description                        |
| -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Accounts | The items that match the criteria. |


# Find Mailbox

Find mailboxes in Mail.

| Parameters | Description                                                                                                                              |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mailbox    | If provided, the action will search through the items pass as input (optional). Otherwise, the action will search through all mailboxes. |
| Filter     | Mailbox name, path, account, favorite status, or recent status.                                                                          |
| Sort by    | Mailbox name, path, account, or random.                                                                                                  |
| Limit      | Limits the number of items returned.                                                                                                     |

| Returns   | Description                        |
| --------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Mailboxes | The items that match the criteria. |


# Get MsgFiler Setting

Get the value of a setting in MsgFiler 4.

<table><thead><tr><th width="327">Parameters</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Setting</td><td><ul><li>Always show suggested mailboxes on top</li><li>Archive Gmail messages before filing</li><li>Automatically reload mailboxes</li><li>Case-sensitive search</li><li>Dim all screens when in Focused Filing</li><li>Display number of mailbox matches</li><li>Display total number of filed messages</li><li>Focus on search on activation</li><li>Keep MsgFiler open after filing</li><li>Ignore mailbox path when matching</li><li>Mark messages as read</li><li>Play sound after filing</li><li>Prioritize accounts of selected messages</li><li>Remember recent mailboxes</li><li>Restrict search to selected accounts</li><li>Resume Focused Filing automatically</li><li>Show Focused Filing button in main window</li><li>Suggest mailboxes automatically</li><li>Toggle filing with number keys</li><li>Use Filing Script</li></ul><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

| Returns | Description               |
| ------- | ------------------------- |
| Boolean | The value of the setting. |


# Get Selected Email

Gets the currently selected mail messages in Mail. Email messages contain the sender, subject, and message id. They can optionally include the body and raw source of the message. Note that requesting the body and source may significantly lengthen the time the action takes to process.

| Parameters           | Description                                                                                                |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Include Message Body | Specify true to include the message body. This may result in significantly longer times to run the action. |
| Include Raw Source   | Specify true to include the raw source of the message.                                                     |

| Returns       | Description                                                                                                                     |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Email Message | Details of the selected email messages, including sender, subject, and message id. Optionally includes the body and raw source. |


# New Mailbox

Create a new mailbox underneath an existing mailbox or a new top-level mailbox in Mail.

| Parameters   | Description                                                                     |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Action       | Creates a new mailbox or top level mailbox.                                     |
| Mailbox Name | The name of the mailbox to create.                                              |
| Mailbox      | A mailbox in Mail.                                                              |
| Account      | An email account in Mail. Can also refer to the local On My Mac folder in Mail. |

| Returns | Description                                          |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Boolean | True if the mailbox was created successfully; error. |


# Set Focused Filing

Sets focus on filing your messages by dimming the screen and hiding all applications except for MsgFiler 4 and Mail.

| Parameters         | Description                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mode               | Toggles Filing Focus on or off.                                                                                                          |
| On/Off             | Sets Filing Focus to on or off. This appears when Mode is Set.                                                                           |
| Use saved settings | When true, uses the Opacity and Duration settings saved in MsgFiler 4. If set to false, the settings you provide will be used and saved. |
| Opacity            | The amount by which to dim the screen. Specify a value between 0.0 and 1.0.                                                              |
| Duration           | The amount of time to dim the screen when entering or exiting Filing Focus. Specify a value between 0 (instant) and 2.0 seconds.         |

| Returns | Description                                         |
| ------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Boolean | True if Filing Focus is activated, false otherwise. |


# Set MsgFiler Setting

Set the value of a setting in MsgFiler 4.

| Parameters | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Setting    | <ul><li>Always show suggested mailboxes on top</li><li>Archive Gmail messages before filing</li><li>Automatically reload mailboxes</li><li>Case-sensitive search</li><li>Dim all screens when in Focused Filing</li><li>Display number of mailbox matches</li><li>Display total number of filed messages</li><li>Focus on search on activation</li><li>Keep MsgFiler open after filing</li><li>Ignore mailbox path when matching</li><li>Mark messages as read</li><li>Play sound after filing</li><li>Prioritize accounts of selected messages</li><li>Remember recent mailboxes</li><li>Restrict search to selected accounts</li><li>Resume Focused Filing automatically</li><li>Show Focused Filing button in main window</li><li>Suggest mailboxes automatically</li><li>Toggle filing with number keys</li><li>Use Filing Script</li></ul> |

<table><thead><tr><th width="284">Returns</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Boolean</td><td>The value of the setting.</td></tr></tbody></table>


# Set Search Query

Sets the search string in MsgFiler 4.

| Parameters | Description                       |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- |
| Query      | The string to send to MsgFiler 4. |

| Returns | Description                                         |
| ------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Mailbox | A list of mailboxes that match the search criteria. |


# Show Mailbox

Show the selected mailbox in Mail. Optionally opens the mailbox in a new window.

| Parameters         | Description                                       |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Mailbox            | The mailbox to show in Mail.                      |
| Open in New Window | Specify true to open the mailbox in a new window. |

| Returns | Description                                      |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Boolean | True if the mailbox was opened, error otherwise. |


# Support

Here is information on how to get support for MsgFiler.

* [Documentation](/system-requirements): The documentation for MsgFiler 4.
* [Troubleshooting](/support/msgfiler-4/troubleshooting): Known issues and frequently asked questions about MsgFiler 4.
* [Help Desk](https://msgfiler.com/help-desk): Have a question that the documentation and troubleshooting don't answer? Submit a question here.

If you have questions about the older versions of MsgFiler, please visit their respective pages below.

* [MsgFiler 3](/support/msgfiler-3)
* [MsgFiler Engine](/support/engine)
* [MsgFiler Classic](/support/plugin)


# Support for MsgFiler 4

The support page for MsgFiler 4.

<figure><img src="/files/EQ6eofG9DlbWv05CCScp" alt=""><figcaption><p>MsgFiler 4</p></figcaption></figure>

* [Troubleshooting](/support/msgfiler-4/troubleshooting)
* [Mac App Store vs. Direct Download](/support/msgfiler-4/app-store-direct-download-differences)
* [Version History](/support/msgfiler-4/version-history)


# Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting and known issues with MsgFiler 4.

## Known Issues

<details>

<summary>When I try to file multiple messages, I get an error saying that MsgFiler can't file to multiple accounts.</summary>

This is a limitation of MsgFiler 4. It is unable to file messages that belong to Gmail accounts and non-Gmail accounts. This is because of a bug in Apple Mail wherein messages filed to Gmail accounts must first be archived before they are moved.

Since MsgFiler is processing all of the currently selected messages at once in Mail, it cannot archive the Gmail messages and not archive the non-Gmail messages before moving them.

The solution is to file messages belonging to both Gmail and non-Gmail accounts separately.

**You can file messages belong to multiple Gmail accounts at the same time with MsgFiler 4.**

</details>

<details>

<summary>MsgFiler reloads the mailbox list everytime I invoke the application</summary>

This is a known issue happening for a subset of users with MsgFiler 4.2.0, which uses a faster way to reload mailboxes. Until the problem is solved, turn off Automatic reloading of mailboxes in MsgFiler Settings.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I am using the MsgFiler Filing Script with my Gmail accounts. I have Archive messages before filing enabled. When I try to move or copy emails, I get an error similar to:<br><br>Can't set message id 1234567890 of mailbox "SOURCE_MAILBOX" of account id "ACCOUNT_ID" to mailbox "DESTINATION_MAILBOX"</summary>

Some Gmail accounts do not handle MsgFiler's Archive then File method of filing messages. Configure your account to use the Direct Filing method in [Filing Settings](/settings/filing).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Copying Gmail messages within the same account doesn't seem to work.</summary>

When copying a Gmail message to a mailbox on the same Gmail account, note that the copied message will have the same message ID as the original message. Thus, deleting the message, whether it's in the source mailbox or the destination mailbox will have the effect of deleting all messages with the same ID.&#x20;

This does not happen when copying messages from a Gmail account to another email account, and it does not happen when copying messages from other email services.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Loading of mailboxes is really slow in macOS 26 Tahoe. It was much faster in macOS Sequoia and before.</summary>

Update to MsgFiler 4.2.0, which introduces a faster method for retrieving your list of mailboxes in Apple Mail. This method is backward compatible with previous versions of the app.

</details>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<details>

<summary>Why is MsgFiler 4 a new app on the Mac App Store?</summary>

MsgFiler has had [a long history](/history) of running on Mac OS X and macOS. The original version of the plugin and application were written in Objective-C using Cocoa and Interface Builder. Since then, development tools have evolved. MsgFiler 4 has been rewritten from the ground up as a native Swift and SwiftUI. It has been built expressly to support macOS Sonoma and subsequent versions of macOS.

MsgFiler 4 also supports macOS Ventura (macOS 13.0)

Furthermore, [MsgFiler 3](/support/msgfiler-3) continues to work on macOS Ventura and before, so it will remain on the Mac App Store for those customers to use, along with the [MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In](/support/engine), which is required for use with MsgFiler 3.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I bought MsgFiler Classic or MsgFiler 3 and want to upgrade to MsgFiler 4 for free.</summary>

Purchases of MsgFiler Classic and MsgFiler 3 are not transferrable to MsgFiler 4. You will have to purchase MsgFiler 4 again on the App Store. If you recently purchased MsgFiler 3, you can submit a [refund request to Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084).&#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why do I need to install the MsgFiler Filing Script in order to file Gmail messages? Or to move the selection up or down in Mail?</summary>

In order to file Gmail messages, MsgFiler needs to first archive the messages before moving them. This two step process is not possible straight from MsgFiler because there is no archive command in AppleScript. MsgFiler needs to programatically instruct Mail to archive the messages using the Archive menu item under the Message menu. To do this, MsgFiler needs access to the System Events application to access the menu item.

Due to App Sandbox restrictions, MsgFiler cannot directly access System Events. It can access it, however, by running a user-installed script in MsgFiler's Application Scripts directory.

The answer is similar with moving the selection up or down in Mail after filing. When MsgFiler instructs Mail to move messages from one mailbox to another, Mail does not automatically move the selection up or down. As a result, MsgFiler has to  send the key up or key down command to Mail, and it cannot do that with using System Events.&#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary>Undo support seems to be inconsistent.</summary>

**Supported Actions**

The following operations performed by MsgFiler have undo support in Mail:

* Archive
* Toggle Flag
* Toggle Read Status

**Unsupported Actions**

The following operations performed by MsgFiler do not have undo support in Mail:

* Flagging messages
* Labeling messages
* Creating new mailboxes

**Inconsistent Support**

MsgFiler uses AppleScript to file messages. Unfortunately, there is limited support for undo since references to the selected messages are lost after filing.

The workaround is to open the mailbox that you just filed to and re-file the messages.

What happens when you invoke undo in Mail after filing using MsgFiler depends on what kind of message was filed:

* **Gmail**: Undo will move the messages back to the source mailbox, but they might still reside in the destination mailbox. Mail is undoing the Archive operation, not the move operation.
* **Non-Gmail**: Undo will not work. Mail cannot undo the move operation performed by AppleScript.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Trying to retrieve the contents of the currently selected email messages via Shortcuts takes a long time.</summary>

The [Get Selected Email](/shortcuts/get-selected-email) action in Shortcuts can optionally return the message body and raw source from the current selection in Mail. It does this by accessing the contents property of the message using AppleScript. This operation sometimes takes Mail a long time for certain types of messages.&#x20;

It is recommended that you do not run the Get Selected Email action with the Include Message Body enabled on a large selection of emails, as this may result in slow performance or a timeout.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why doesn't MsgFiler support marking messages as junk or deleting messages?</summary>

This is a deliberate decision to not make available the keyboard shortcuts to mark messages and junk or to delete messages. If you want to do this, move focus away from MsgFiler and manually perform these operations.

MsgFiler aims to perform non-destructive operations on your email messages, including moving, copying, labeling, flagging, or marking as read/unread.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Will you make an iOS version of MsgFiler?</summary>

tl;dr: No.&#x20;

Mail on iOS and iPadOS does not offer the same level of extension that macOS Mail provides. As a result, it is currently impossible to integrate MsgFiler filing capability in the mobile version of Mail. It is beyond the scope, nor it is the long-term plan, of MsgFiler to become a full-fledged email client focused on email and mailbox management.

</details>


# Mac App Store vs. Direct Download

There are two versions of MsgFiler 4.

* Mac App Store
* Direct download

The following table lists the differences between the two versions:

| Feature                | Mac App Store                                                               | Direct Download                                                          |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| MsgFiler Filing Script | Requires manual downloading and installation  of the MsgFiler Filing Script | The MsgFiler Filing Script can be installed directly from within the app |
| Where to Buy           | [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6478043112)                    | [Gumroad](https://tow.gumroad.com/l/msgfiler)                            |
| Purchase Options       | <p>Lifetime Unlock<br>Annual Membership<br>Monthly Subscription</p>         | Lifetime Unlock only                                                     |
| License Verification   | Handled by Apple and the Mac App Store                                      | Handled by Gumroad                                                       |


# Version History

Version history and release notes for MsgFiler 4.

<figure><img src="/files/SsHml7647ooQuefPyTgG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.3.1 - January 8, 2026</summary>

## New Features

* Added setting to disable auto-scroll to the top of the mailbox list

## Improvements

* Improved performance of Smart Suggestions

## Bug Fixes

* Fixed crash when pasting in a search string with newlines or carriage returns
* Various bug fixes and improvements

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.3.0 - October 3, 2025</summary>

## New Features

* Learn from your past filing and suggest mailboxes using Smart Suggestions
* Prioritize accounts of selected messages when displaying mailbox matches
* File to mailboxes using the number keys with Quick File
* Configure an action when double or triple pressing the Escape key
* What's new screen details new features in subsequent versions

## Improvements

* Updated the Get Setting and Set Setting shortcut actions with additional preferences
* Refined the look of the main window and settings
* Reduced application size

## Bug Fixes

* MsgFiler no longer reloads its list of mailboxes every time it's invoked
* Mailbox list column widths are preserved between application launches
* Mailboxes list now scrolls to the top when no mailbox was selected
* Focused Filing overlays appear correctly when using multiple monitors
* Remove excluded mailbox button size fixed on macOS 26 Tahoe
* Other assorted bug fixes

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.2.0 - September 10, 2025</summary>

## New Features

* New application icons when running MsgFiler on macOS 26 (Tahoe).
* Significantly faster mailbox list reloading.

## Improvements

* Added icons to menu commands.
* Show an alert if MsgFiler cannot create a mailbox in the selected account.
* Made the Settings window vertically resizable.
* Added support for Command–Number shortcuts to file messages from the MsgFiler window.

## Bug Fixes

* Improved handling of quotes in mailbox names.
* Fixed an issue where licensed copies of the Gumroad version could occasionally revert to an unlicensed state.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.5 - December 11, 2024</summary>

## New Features

* Added the ability to set custom keyboard modifiers for filing to numbered mailboxes.
* Introduced options to tailor how the MsgFiler window behaves in macOS.

## Improvements

* Search now ignores diacriticals.
* Increased the maximum width for resizing the Account column.
* Enhanced App Store receipt verification for greater reliability.
* Search results now auto-scroll as you type.

## Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug where mailboxes were reloaded twice when creating a new mailbox.
* Resolved an issue where MsgFiler would fail to hide its window after a restart.
* Prevented macOS from quitting MsgFiler when it’s running in the background.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.4 - August 22, 2024</summary>

* Corrected link for downloading the latest version of the MsgFiler Filing Script on App Store version of MsgFiler.
* Updated collectionBehavior of MsgFiler window.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.3 - August 22, 2024</summary>

## New Features

* Added ability to save a timestamped log of filing actions.
* Added option to “Show MsgFiler and focus on search” when invoking the MsgFiler shortcut.

## Improvements

* Improved detection of Archive menu command in the updated MsgFiler Filing Script version 8.
* Remove stale mailboxes from Favorites and Recents lists.
* Moved the Search Field settings to Search settings from Advanced settings.

## Bug Fixes

* Addressed bug where MsgFiler sometimes would disappear from Spaces.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.2 - May 1, 2024</summary>

### New Features

* Added keyboard shortcuts Control-N and Control-P to navigate within the mailbox table.
* Added ability to show only the mailbox name of favorite mailboxes.

### Improvements

* Recent mailboxes are shown in reverse order, with the most recent mailbox appearing at the top of the list.

### Miscellaneous

* Added privacy manifest file for App Store.
* Bug fixes and improvements.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.1 - April 8, 2024</summary>

### New Features

* Added New Mailbox in mailbox context menu.
* Added an option to clear the search field automatically after filing messages.
* Updated Align MsgFiler Window to Mail feature with additional positions. Position now updates when enabling the feature.

### Improvements

* Upgraded to MsgFiler Filing Script v7 to prevent moving selection when copying messages.
* Introduced a warning notice when copying messages within the app.
* Reduced the button size and padding in the status bar for a more streamlined appearance.
* Increased the number of actions that can be performed before the purchase prompt appears, offering a more extended trial experience.

### Bug Fixes

* Addressed a bug related to syncing favorites with iCloud.
* Ensured that showing mailboxes respects the 'Keep MsgFiler open after filing' and 'Stay open after showing mailboxes' settings.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.1.0 - March 24, 2024</summary>

### New Features

* Gmail filing settings can now be configured on a per-account basis. This requires updating of the MsgFiler Filing Script in MsgFiler Settings > Filing.
* Added option to automatically dock the MsgFiler window to the right hand side of Mail.
* Added ability to customize the keyboard shortcuts used within MsgFiler (macOS 14 and higher).

### Improvements

* Mailboxes are now saved to disk for improved startup performance.
* When keyboard navigation is enabled, pressing tab cycles through the search field, mailboxes table, and filing buttons.
* Unified status bar to display counts of mailbox matches and filed messages.
* Updated MsgFiler Filing Script to version 6.
* Localization updates.

### Bug Fixes

* Favorite mailboxes can now be synced to iCloud.
* Get Accounts action now returns enabled accounts only.
* Mailboxes table updates more regularly when changing settings.
* Assorted minor bugs squashed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 4.0 - March 15, 2024</summary>

* Initial release

</details>


# Support for MsgFiler 3

The support page for MsgFiler 3.

<figure><img src="/files/BMurEcXZBZXMUIcbOu9i" alt=""><figcaption><p>MsgFiler 3</p></figcaption></figure>

This section covers the previous version of MsgFiler on the Mac App Store.

## System Requirements

MsgFiler 3 supports Mac operating systems Snow Leopard (10.6) to and including Ventura (13.0).

{% hint style="info" %}
Looking for MsgFiler 4, the current version of MsgFiler that supports macOS Sonoma and higher? Click here!
{% endhint %}

1. [Launching](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#launching)
2. [Using MsgFiler](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#using)
3. [Recents](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#recents)
4. [Favorites](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#favorites)
5. [Mail Navigation](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#mailnavigation)
6. [Action Menu](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#actionmenu)
7. [Creating New Mailboxes](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#newmailbox)
8. [Preferences](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#preferences)
   1. [General](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#general)
   2. [Search](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#search)
   3. [Filing](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#filing)
   4. [Advanced](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#advanced)

MsgFiler helps you declutter your inbox and tame the email dragon. Here’s how it works.

## Launching MsgFiler

When you purchase MsgFiler from the Mac App Store, it will be placed in your Applications folder. Opening MsgFiler for the first-time will display the welcome window.

\
\
Add MsgFiler to your Login Items in Systems Preferences / Users and Accounts to ensure that MsgFiler is running when you open and use Mail.

<figure><img src="/files/WEpIEZ88nfBZ1Vw2UoCZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Mail must be running in order to operate MsgFiler. If you have not yet started Mail, do so now. When MsgFiler detects Mail is running, it will retrieve the list of mailboxes from Mail.

## macOS Mojave to Ventura

When you first launch MsgFiler, macOS will display an alert asking allow MsgFiler.app to control Mail.app.

<figure><img src="/files/1pibkEi9WNbPgM0YzWXg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Open **System Preferences**.
2. Click **Security & Privacy**.
3. Click **Privacy**.
4. Click **Accessibility**.
5. Click the Lock icon. Enter your admin password.
6. Check **MsgFiler.app**.

<figure><img src="/files/dXEk3NOvHcpxWXttEJbq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Using MsgFiler

Using MsgFiler is very simple:

1. Select a message you wish to file in Apple Mail.
2. Invoke MsgFiler by pressing the default keyboard shortcut, `command-9` or the [custom one](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#shortcut)you set up in Preferences.
3. Type a few characters of the mailbox into which you wish to file the message.
4. When the mailbox you desire is selected in the mailbox results list, press Enter or Return. If there are multiple matches, use the down arrow to select the correct mailbox before hitting Enter or Return.

<figure><img src="/files/WgUDL4vupcGVWMOp2FkK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Note:** If you file frequently to remote IMAP mailboxes, you may notice a delay between the time you press Enter and the time at which the message is actually filed by Mail. You can speed up filing to remote IMAP mailboxes by installing the [MsgFiler Engine Mail Plugin](https://msgfiler.com/support/engine/) and activating it from MsgFiler’s [Filing Preferences](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#filing) panel.

### Wildcard Matching

Inserting a space character in the search field instructs MsgFiler to perform a **wildcard search**. For instance, suppose you entered:

> `Peo Vi`

This will match any mailbox that contains those characters:

> **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ctor Jackson`
>
> **`Peo`**`ple/`**`Vi`**`ncent Young`
>
> `Flowers/`**`Peo`**`nies/`**`Vi`**`rginia`

Master the use of the space character to quickly drill down to find the correct mailbox.

### Hot Keys

While in the mailbox results list, you can use the number keys, **0-9**, to quickly select between the first ten mailboxes.

<figure><img src="/files/xm1sgvcuPyNlkN4xHrrP" alt=""><figcaption><p>Pressing (0-9) will select the numbered mailbox. Pressing Fn-(0-9) will file messages into the numbered mailbox.</p></figcaption></figure>

Pressing a number key while holding down the `Fn` key or `command-option-control` will instantly file your message into the desired mailbox. Assign numbers to your favorite mailboxes for even faster filing.

### Keeping MsgFiler Open

Previous versions of MsgFiler closed the window after filing a message. For version 3.1.2, Apple’s App Store Review Board made us change MsgFiler so that the MsgFiler window stays open after filing. For optimal performance, we recommend unchecking this preference. This will cause MsgFiler to hide itself after filing.

Click on the action menu to display a list of configurable options for MsgFiler. Choose Keep MsgFiler open after filing.

### Recents

As you file messages using MsgFiler, recently used mailboxes will rise up to the top of your results window, granting you quick access to these mailboxes during subsequent filing operations. Recent mailboxes are denoted in a blue font color.

<figure><img src="/files/3dVEPScGFvdhv11BYJT6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you haven’t filed to a recent mailbox after a period of time, the mailbox will move away from the top of the results list.

If you find yourself filing often to a mailbox, consider making it a favorite mailbox.

### Favorites

Marking a mailbox as a favorite will move the mailbox to the top of the results list. Favorite mailboxes are denoted by a bold font.

To mark a mailbox as a favorite, select it in the results list and press `command-equal` or choose **Add To Favorites** from the **MsgFiler Action** menu.

<figure><img src="/files/SiFZbwo2ymnlCw5G3gQQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To remove a mailbox from favorites, select the mailbox and choose Remove From Favorites or press command-minus.

### Mail Navigation

You can use MsgFiler to navigate within the frontmost Mail message viewer. Hold down the command key and use the arrow keys to move the current selection up or down and to open and close threads.

Select multiple messages at once by holding down the `shift` key while using the arrow keys.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE: This feature is only available on MsgFiler 3 on Snow Leopard. It has been disabled due to OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Maverick’s App Sandbox restrictions.**
{% endhint %}

### Action Menu

The action menu is located next to the search field in the MsgFiler window. It provides quick access to commonly used settings and reveals additional filing options.

<figure><img src="/files/TxzCbvfmMSkpQbQx3FuN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Keep MsgFiler Open After Filing**
  * Enable this when filing dozens or hundreds of emails in a single session.
* **Pressing Enter Always Performs Default Action**
  * If a mailbox is selected, pressing Enter/Return will always perform a move, copy or show operation.
* **Restrict Search to Selected Accounts**
  * Only show mailboxes that belong to the currently selection Mail account. Useful when you have mailboxes with the same name across multiple mail accounts.
* **Match on Mailbox Name Only**
  * MsgFiler will ignore the mailbox path and only search on the mailbox name.
* **Move Message**
  * Moves the selected messages in Mail to the currently selected mailbox.
* **Copy Message**
  * Copies the selected messages in Mail to the currently selected mailbox.
* **Label**
  * Assign or remove a color label from the selected messages in Mail.
* **Show Mailbox**
  * Sets the frontmost message viewer to display the contents of the selected mailbox.
* **Show Mailbox in New Viewer**
  * Opens a new Mail message viewer focused on the selected mailbox.
* **New Mailbox…**
  * Creates a new mailbox underneath the currently selected mailbox.
* **New Top Level Mailbox…**
  * Creates a new mailbox at the top-level of a mail account.
* **Reload Mailboxes**
  * Instructs MsgFiler to reload the list of Mail mailboxes it is searching on.
* **Add To Favorites**
  * Adds the selected mailbox to the favorites list.
* **Remove From Favorites**
  * Removes the selected mailbox from the favorites list.
* **Clear Recents History**
  * Clears the list of recent mailboxes.
* **Preferences**
  * Adjust additional MsgFiler settings and options.
* **About MsgFiler**
  * Displays the welcome about screen for MsgFiler.
* **MsgFiler Web Site**
  * Opens a new browser window or tab to the [MsgFiler web site](https://msgfiler.com/).
* **Quit MsgFiler**
  * Quits MsgFiler.

### Creating New Mailboxes

With MsgFiler, you can quickly create new mailboxes, either underneath an existing mailbox or at the top-level of a mail account.

Choose New Mailbox or New Top-Level Mailbox from the MsgFiler action menu or press `command-shift-N` or `command-option-control-n` respectively to bring up the new mailbox sheet.

<figure><img src="/files/BgFxhtYWlsRA2G2DVHWO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Enter the name of the new mailbox and click **OK**. MsgFiler will update the search field and results list to focus on the newly created mailbox.

If you chose to create a new top-level mailbox, the sheet will have an additional popup menu from which you can select the mail account for the new mailbox.

<figure><img src="/files/jJkpW9Zi3KFLZoQ2qnax" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Preferences

MsgFiler is highly configurable to your needs. To adjust its settings, choose Preferences from the MsgFiler menu or press `Command-,` while in MsgFiler. The Preferences window has four tabbed sections:

* [General](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#general)
* [Search](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#search)
* [Filing](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#filing)
* [Advanced](https://msgfiler.com/support/docs/#advanced)

**Note:** This documentation is for MsgFiler 3.1.4.

### General Settings

<figure><img src="/files/sysiX72XfNEwCagife4G" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Hide Dock Icon**

Since MsgFiler is an application, it appears in your Dock when running. Check this box if you wish to hide the MsgFiler icon from the Dock. You may need to restart MsgFiler in order for your changes to take effect.

#### Hide MsgFiler Menu

The MsgFiler menu appears in Apple Mail to show you that it is running. Check this preference if you want to hide the MsgFiler menu in Mail.

#### List Font

Adjust the font used by MsgFiler in the mailboxes results list.

<figure><img src="/files/IpUH1rWbrMclEnKqZHG9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Pressing Shortcut

Pressing the keyboard shortcut to open MsgFiler can do one of two things:

* **Focuses between MsgFiler and Mail**: This alternates focus on the Mail application and the MsgFiler window.
* **Toggles MsgFiler**: This will open and close the MsgFiler window.
* **Shows MsgFiler**: This will always open MsgFiler window.

Depending on your workflow, you may prefer one of these settings over the others. By default, this preference is set to toggle MsgFiler on and off.

#### MsgFiler Shortcut

The default shortcut is command-9 and only works while in Mail. If you change it, be sure to choose a keyboard combination that does not interfere with the operation of Mail.

To change the shortcut, click the field next to the label MsgFiler Shortcut. A prompt will appear in the label to choose a new shortcut. Type your new command. The change will be immediate.

### Search Settings

This section configures how MsgFiler searches for mailboxes in Mail.

<figure><img src="/files/jhfeOSOs4cfSZrCVwWJe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Restrict search to selected accounts

This option allows you to file messages only to mailboxes contained in the currently selected account. For instance, suppose you have two mail accounts, all of which have a mailbox called Archive. When filing a message in one of the accounts, typing “Archive” will show matches for both mailboxes in all both mail accounts.

Enabling this preference ensures that only the mailbox named “Archive” of the currently selected mailbox account will be visible in the search results list.

<figure><img src="/files/3mJrN3p1w7wVoiWGiEi5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Match on mailbox name only**

By default, MsgFiler searches the entire mailbox path for matches. Check this box if you want to restrict MsgFiler to search on only the mailbox name itself.

You can also access this setting from the **action menu** of the MsgFiler window.

<figure><img src="/files/YZdJAkCOBaTty3XGVXru" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Enable case-sensitive search

By default, MsgFiler performs a case-insensitive search when matching mailboxes. Two mailboxes named “archive” and “Archive” are considered identical for search purposes. Enable this preference if you wish to make MsgFiler perform a case-sensitive search.

You can also access this setting from the **action menu** of the MsgFiler window.

<figure><img src="/files/EL5t31NEH1six5ReV0ez" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Manage Excluded Mailboxes**

You can exclude certain mailboxes and accounts from appearing in the mailboxes results list. Clicking on the button Manage Excluded Mailboxes… will bring up a sheet where you can add or remove excluded words. Any mailbox or account that include these words will be hidden from the results list.

<figure><img src="/files/YaGBU2v4caF7G3TZklBu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Filing Settings

<figure><img src="/files/96MKhc5F89EGHaLHhIgL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Keep MsgFiler open after filing**

Enabling this option prevents MsgFiler from closing after performing a filing operation. This is useful when you want to file dozens or hundreds of messages at a time. Having the MsgFiler window stay open after filing allows you to quickly type the next mailbox and hit `Return` to file.

You can also access this setting from the **action menu** of the MsgFiler window.

#### **Use MsgFiler Engine to file messages**

[MsgFiler Engine](https://msgfiler.com/support/engine/) is an Apple Mail plugin that you can install to make filing to remote IMAP mailboxes faster. It is **strongly recommended** for use with MsgFiler 3 on Lion to Ventura. Learn more about the MsgFiler Engine here.

#### **Enter/Double-click performs**

Pressing the `Enter` or `Return` key or double-clicking in the mailboxes results list will perform the default filing action. By default, this is Move Message, but you can change it to Copy Message, Show Mailbox or do nothing.

* **Move Message**: Moves the selected messages in Mail to the selected mailbox.
* **Copy Message**: Copies the selected messages in Mail to the selected mailbox.
* **Show Mailbox**: Opens the frontmost message viewer in Mail to the selected mailbox.
* **Nothing**: You must click the buttons Move, Copy or Show to file your messages.

<figure><img src="/files/BB3hEV0SkgUs9hGfQUqM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also toggle between the different default buttons from within the MsgFiler window by pressing these keyboard shortcuts:

* **`Command-[`**: Sets Show mailbox as the default action.
* **`Command-]`**: Sets Copy mailbox as the default action.
* **`Command-|`**: Sets Move mailbox as the default action.`Command-Option-Control-`Sets no default action.

#### **Pressing Enter in search**

After typing in the mailbox name in the search field, pressing Enter/Return can do one of two things:

* **Performs filing action**: MsgFiler will file to the currently selected mailbox.
* **Focuses on the results list**: MsgFiler will move focus from the search field to the mailbox results list.

**Note:** *If only one item is visible in the mailbox results list, pressing Enter/Return will always perform the default filing action.*

#### **After filing, select**

* **Selection up**: Moves the cursor up one message in the frontmost Mail message viewer.
* **Selection down**: Moves the cursor down one message in the frontmost Mail message viewer.

{% hint style="warning" %}
*When Mail reaches the end of the list of messages, it loses focus in the frontmost message viewer.*

*When MsgFiler Engine is used to file messages, this preference is disabled.*

*This feature is only available on MsgFiler 3 on Snow Leopard. It has been disabled due to OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Maverick’s App Sandbox restrictions.*
{% endhint %}

**Label filed messages**

You can label filed messages with a color so you know that they have already been filed. By default, MsgFiler labels filed messages in green. You can adjust this setting so that MsgFiler:

* **None**:  Does not label filed messages with any color]
* **Remove label**: Removes any color labels on filed messages
* **Blue, Gray, Green, Orange, Purple, Red or Yellow**: Labels filed messages with selected color

<figure><img src="/files/7oIonqXtXrdWjfIgMJde" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Advanced Settings <a href="#advanced" id="advanced"></a>

<figure><img src="/files/r8TGd11p6erzyVDru0Ta" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Remember recent mailboxes**

By default, MsgFiler will remember and display recently accessed mailboxes at the top of the mailboxes results list. Uncheck this box if you do not want MsgFiler to keep track of recently used mailboxes.

#### **Display total number of filed messages**

Show off to your friends with the number of messages you’ve filed with MsgFiler. This is a great way to see how much time you’ve saved over dragging and dropping.

#### **Show welcome message on startup**

When MsgFiler is first installed, a welcome message is displayed to the user. Check this box if you want the message to appear every time you launch MsgFiler.

#### **Pressing escape in search**

* **Closes MsgFiler**: Pressing escape at any time will close MsgFiler.
* **Clears the search field**: Pressing escape a second time will close MsgFiler.


# Support for MsgFiler Engine

The support page for the MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In for MsgFiler 3.

<figure><img src="/files/ULla7cBBwvyy5CuoOwAI" alt=""><figcaption><p>The MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In for MsgFIler 3</p></figcaption></figure>

The MsgFiler Engine is an Apple Mail Plug-In that is a **required** add-on for MsgFiler 3 running on macOS from Mountain Lion to Ventura. It speeds up mailbox loading and filing performance to remote IMAP mailboxes.

{% hint style="danger" %}
The MsgFiler Engine Plug-In no longer works on macOS Sonoma and higher. Please upgrade to MsgFiler 4 from the Mac App Store and be sure to install the MsgFiler Engine Filing script during the MsgFiler 4 installation process.
{% endhint %}

* [Download MsgFiler Engine](/support/engine/download)
* [Installing the Plug-In](/support/engine/install)
* [Accessibility and Automation](/support/engine/accessibility-and-automation)
* [Removing the Plug-In](/support/engine/uninstall)
* [Troubleshooting](/support/engine/troubleshooting-engine)
* [Version History](/support/engine/version-history)


# Download MsgFiler Engine

Which version of MsgFiler Engine you must download depends on which version of MsgFiler you are running. Use this chart to determine which version of the Engine you should download.

Check the MsgFiler About screen to see which version of MsgFiler 3 you are running.

| macOS Version                                                     | Download Links                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **macOS Sonoma and higher (14.0 and above)**                      | <ul><li>Upgrade to MsgFiler 4 on the Mac App Store</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **macOS Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur (11.0 and higher)**        | <p></p><ul><li><a href="https://files.msgfiler.com/MsgFiler%20Engine%201.7.1.dmg"><strong>Download MsgFiler Engine Version 1.7.1</strong></a></li><li><strong>SHA-256 Checksum</strong>: a53eaa7145ebc735847b0d93f897a467ff9a583492281c4a5549484e3929eacb</li></ul>                                                      |
| **macOS Mountain Lion through Catalina (10.8.5 through 10.15.7)** | <p></p><ul><li><a href="https://files.msgfiler.com/MsgFiler%20Engine%201.4.1.dmg"><strong>Download MsgFiler Engine Version 1.4.1</strong></a></li><li><strong>SHA-256 Checksum</strong>: 5c586ca9b3e65f532929af77557f6b140699b92741d6fff794877665829cc3ec</li></ul><p><br><br></p>                                       |
| **MacOS X Snow Leopard through Lion (10.6 through 10.7)**         | <p></p><ul><li><strong>MsgFiler 3.0.4 or 3.0.5</strong></li><li><a href="https://files.msgfiler.com/MsgFiler%20Engine%201.0.9.1.dmg"><strong>Download MsgFiler Engine Version 1.0.9.1</strong></a></li><li><strong>SHA-256 Checksum</strong>: df3de7aeabe23a1fe28a05f5ac3a5d7cfb3cc7f9379b0cb6c5ad0f6319aacc8f</li></ul> |


# Installing the Engine

MsgFiler Engine is an Apple Mail Plug-In that works with [MsgFiler 3](https://msgfiler.com/). To install MsgFiler Engine, follow these instructions:

1. Quit the **Mail** application.
2. Go to the **Finder**
3. Hold the **Option** key and click on the Go menu
4. Choose **Library**
5. Navigate to the **Mail** directory in the **Library** directory
6. Drag **MsgFilerEngine.mailbundle** to Bundles folder in the Mail directory. Create the **Bundles** folder if it does not already exist.
7. If you have never used or installed a Mail plug-in like MsgFiler Engine, you will need to run the following commands in the **Terminal** application:

If you are using **macOS 10.14 or higher**, paste and press enter:

```
sudo defaults write "/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail" EnableBundles 1
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 4
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
You will have to enter your Adminstrator password after the first comment.
{% endhint %}

If you are using **OS X 10.7 or higher**, paste and press enter:

```
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 4
```

If you are using **OS X 10.6/Snow Leopard**, paste and press enter:

```
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 3
```

8. Launch **Mail**.
9. If you are using **macOS 10.14 Mojave or higher**, open Mail Preferences
   1. Click **Manage Plug-Ins.**
   2. Ensure that **MsgFiler Engine** is checked.
   3. Click **Apply and Restart Mail.**\
      \ <img src="/files/CGDozmNhuRz8NucdSLRX" alt="" data-size="original"><br>
10. Launch **MsgFiler**.
11. Open MsgFiler’s Preferences by clicking on the action menu in MsgFiler and choosing **Preferences**.
12. Click the **Filing** tab.
13. Check Use **MsgFiler Engine to file messages**.
14. Close the **MsgFiler Preferences** window.

<figure><img src="/files/zJw4y0v5mvNGRipUxfwg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

MsgFiler is now configured to use the MsgFiler Engine to file your messages.

{% hint style="warning" %}
When using the MsgFiler Engine, the ability to move the selection up or down will be disabled in favor of Mail’s selection behavior after filing. Undo/Redo support is handled by Apple Mail instead of MsgFiler.
{% endhint %}


# Accessibility and Automation

The MsgFiler application from the App Store requires it be able to send AppleScript commands to Mail and control your computer via Accessibility.

1. Open **System Preferences**.
2. Click **Security & Privacy**.
3. Click **Privacy**.
4. Click **Accessibility** in the left hand sidebar.
5. If **MsgFiler.app** is not check or does not appear in the list on the right, click the **+** button. If the plus button is grayed out, click the **Lock** icon in the bottom-right and authenticate.
6. Check **MsgFiler.app**.
7. Click **Automation**.
8. If **MsgFiler.app** is not check or does not appear in the list on the right, click the **+** button. If the plus button is grayed out, click the **Lock** icon in the bottom-right and authenticate.
9. Check **MsgFiler.app**.


# Removing the Engine

To remove the MsgFiler Engine Plugin follow these steps:

1. Quit **Mail** if it is currently running.
2. Go to the **Finder**.
3. Hold the Option key and click on the **Go** menu
4. Choose **Library**
5. Open **Mail**.
6. Open **Bundles**.
7. Move the folder **MsgFilerEngine.mailbundle** to a new location.
8. Restart **Mail**.


# Troubleshooting

Frequently asked questions about MsgFiler Engine.

<details>

<summary>I am running macOS Sonoma and filing has become slow and unreliable.</summary>

macOS Sonoma removed Mail Plug-In support, so MsgFiler Engine no longer works. Please upgrade to MsgFiler 4 on the Mac App Store.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>I upgraded to El Capitan and filed messages keep reappearing in the original mailbox. I am using Gmail.</strong></summary>

Did you hide the **All Mail** folder in Gmail’s web settings? If so, you will need to reveal this mailbox in IMAP for MsgFiler to work properly. See this [article on TidBits for more details](http://tidbits.com/article/14219).

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Mail on OS X Mavericks/Mountain Lion has disabled the MsgFiler Engine plugin. Filing is slow again in MsgFiler 3!</strong></summary>

Update to MsgFiler 3.1.4 and install the latest version of the MsgFiler Engine

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Filing is so slow after upgrading to Mavericks/Mountain Lion/Lion!</strong></summary>

Re-install MsgFiler Engine. All Mail plugins are automatically disabled following an upgrade of the operating system.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>I’m an old user of the MsgFiler Mail Plugin. Installing MsgFiler Engine makes the original mail plugin disappear.</strong></summary>

Install the latest version of MsgFiler Engine to resolve this problem.

</details>


# Version History

Version history and release notes for the MsgFiler Engine Mail Plug-In for MsgFiler 3.

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.0 – 2011-02-24</summary>

* Initial release

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.1 – 2011-03-07</summary>

* Support for MsgFiler 3.0.1

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.2 – 2011-03-09</summary>

* Fixed bug preventing filing of messages to local mailboxes on non-English machines.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.3 – 2011-04-25</summary>

* Faster loading of mailboxes with MsgFiler 3.0.2

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.4 – 2011-06-08</summary>

* OS X 10.7 Lion compatibility.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.5 – 2011-08-24</summary>

* OS X 10.7 Lion compatibility.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.6 – 2011-09-08</summary>

* Compatibility with [SpamSieve](http://c-command.com/spamsieve/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.7 – 2011-10-11</summary>

* Support for offline accounts.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.8 – 2011-12-27</summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.9 – 2012-08-09</summary>

* Compatibility fixes for OS X 10.7.5.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.0 – 2012-08-01</summary>

* Support for MsgFiler 3.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.1 – 2012-08-06</summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.0.9.1 – 2012-09-21</summary>

* Compatibility fixes for OS X 10.6.8 and latest security update

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.2 – 2012-09-21</summary>

* Compatibility fixes for OS X 10.6.8 and latest security u

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.3 – 2013-04-18</summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.4 – 2013-09-12</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.8.5.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.5 – 2013-10-21</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.6 – 2013-11-08</summary>

* Compatibility with Mail Update for Mavericks.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.7 – 2013-12-16</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.8 – 2014-02-25</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.2.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.1.9 – 2014-05-15</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.3.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.0 – 2014-06-30</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.4.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.1 – 2014-10-20</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.10.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.2 – 2014-11-17</summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.10.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.3 – 2015-01-27</summary>

* Support for OS X 10.10.2 Yosemite.
* Fixed bug preventing filing of messages in single message viewers. Mail Perspectives compatibility update.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.4 – 2015-09-30</summary>

* Support for OS X 10.11.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.5 – 2015-10-21</summary>

* Support for OS X 10.11.1

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.6 – 2015-12-08</summary>

* Support for OS X 10.11.2

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.7 – 2016-03-21</summary>

* Support for OS X 10.11.4

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.8 – 2016-09-08</summary>

* Support for macOS Sierra 10.12

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.2.9 – 2016-09-30</summary>

* Support for macOS Sierra 10.12.1

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.3.0 – 2016-12-13</summary>

* Support for macOS Sierra 10.12.2

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.3.1 – 2016-03-27</summary>

* Support for macOS Sierra 10.12.4

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.3.2 – 2017-09-25</summary>

* Support for macOS High Sierra 10.13

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.3.3 – 2018-09-24</summary>

* Support for macOS Mojave 10.14

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.4.0 – 2019-10-11</summary>

* Support for macOS Catalina 10.15

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.4.1 – 2020-05-04</summary>

* Support for macOS Catalina 10.15.5

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.5.0 – 2020-11-10</summary>

* Support for macOS Big Sur 11.0

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.5.1 – 2020-11-19</summary>

* Support for macOS Big Sur 11.1

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.5.2 – 2020-11-25</summary>

* Support for M1 Macs

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.6.0 – 2021-10-04</summary>

* Support macOS Monterey 12.0

</details>

<details>

<summary>Version 1.6.1 – 2021-12-07</summary>

* Support macOS Monterey 12.1

</details>


# Support for MsgFiler Classic

The support page for MsgFiler Classic, the original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In.

<figure><img src="/files/BrPyY0hs5h7vWgQiNXqs" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In</p></figcaption></figure>

This page describes **MsgFiler Classic**, also known as the **Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In**. If you are looking for MsgFiler 3, which works with the MsgFiler Engine Plug-In, [click here](https://msgfiler.com/about/).

## System Requirements

MsgFiler Classic runs on Mac operating systems Tiger (10.4) to and including Ventura (13.0).

If you are running macOS Ventura, Sonoma or higher, learn more about [MsgFiler 4](/support/msgfiler-4).

## Documentation

* [Download MsgFiler Classic](/support/plugin/download)
* [Installing the Classic Plug-In](/support/plugin/install)
* [Removing the Classic Plug-In](/support/plugin/uninstall)
* [Migrating from the Plug-In to the MsgFiler 3](/support/plugin/migrating)
* [Purchasing MsgFiler Classic](/support/plugin/buy)
* [Troubleshooting](/support/plugin/troubleshooting-classic)
* [Version History](/support/plugin/version-history)


# Download MsgFiler Classic

Download the version of MsgFiler Classic depending on your macOS operating system version.

| macOS Version                                                         | Download Link                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **macOS Sonoma and higher**                                           | <ul><li>Upgrade to MsgFiler 4 on the Mac App Store</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **macOS Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur (12.0 and higher)**            | <ul><li><a href="https://files.msgfiler.com/MsgFiler%20Mail%20Plugin%202.7.1.dmg"><strong>Download Version 2.7.1</strong></a></li><li><strong>SHA-256 Checksum</strong>:<br>9599347d68cebb85708d694b46df3fc20dc3561dd077db15ae6c78c911fcdcd8</li></ul>      |
| **Mac OS X Mountain Lion through macOS Catalina (10.8.5 to 10.15.7)** | <ul><li><a href="https://files.msgfiler.com/MsgFiler%20Mail%20Plugin%202.4.1.dmg"><strong>Download Version 2.4.1</strong></a></li><li><strong>SHA 256 Checksum</strong>:</li><li>494951eb439c9d4128b8b8f50690a3d45d73f23242a6fe25dcd0a838c5297585</li></ul> |
| **Mac OS X Snow Leopard**                                             | <ul><li><a href="https://atow.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/msgfilermailplugin223-dmg.zip"><strong>Download Version 2.2.3</strong></a></li></ul>                                                                                                              |
| **Mac OS X Tiger and Below**                                          | <ul><li><a href="https://atow.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/msgfilermailplugin212-dmg.zip"><strong>Download Version 2.1.2</strong></a></li></ul>                                                                                                              |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Upgrading macOS removes MsgFiler**. Many upgrades of macOS and MacOS X remove all Mail bundles after upgrading. To resolve, re-install the MsgFiler Classic Mail Plug-In.
{% endhint %}


# Installing the Classic Plug-In

MsgFiler is an Apple Mail Plug-In. To install and configure MsgFiler, follow these instructions:

1. Quit the **Mail** application.
2. Go to the **Finder**
3. Hold the **Option** key and click on the Go menu
4. Choose **Library**
5. Navigate to the **Mail** directory in the **Library** directory
6. Drag **MsgFilerPlugIn.mailbundle** to Bundles folder in the Mail directory. Create the **Bundles** folder if it does not already exist.
7. If you have never used or installed a Mail plug-in like MsgFiler Classic, you will need to run the following commands in the **Terminal** application:\
   If you are using macOS 10.14 or higher, paste and press enter:

```
sudo defaults write "/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail" EnableBundles 1
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 4
```

{% hint style="danger" %}
You will have to enter your Administrator password after the first command.
{% endhint %}

If you are using OS X 10.7 or higher, paste and press enter:

```
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 4
```

If you are using OS X 10.6/Snow Leopard, paste and press enter:

```
defaults write com.apple.mail EnableBundles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail BundleCompatibilityVersion 3
```

8. Launch **Mail**.
9. If you are using **macOS 10.14 Mojave or higher**, open Mail Preferences
   1. Click **Manage Plug-Ins.**
   2. Ensure that **MsgFiler Engine** is checked.
   3. Click **Apply and Restart Mail.**

## Setting a Keyboard Equivalent for MsgFiler

Next you will create a custom keyboard shortcut to activate MsgFiler in the Mail application.

1. Choose **System Preferences…** from the Apple menu.
2. Click **Keyboard & Mouse.**
3. Click **Keyboard Shortcuts** tab.
4. Click the **+** icon.
5. In the sheet that appears, choose **Mail** from the **Application** menu
6. Enter **Move with MsgFiler** in the **Menu Title** field.
7. Enter the keyboard shortcut of your choice in the **Keyboard Shortcut** field. For instance, **Command-9.**
8. Click **Add.**

MsgFiler is now ready for use! You can open MsgFiler via the Message menu or by typing **Command-9** on the keyboard while in the Mail application.\ <br>

<br>


# Removing the Classic Plug-In

To remove the MsgFiler Mail Plugin follow these steps:

1. Quit **Mail** if it is currently running.
2. Go to the **Finder**.
3. Hold the Option key and click on the **Go** menu.
4. Choose **Library.**
5. Open **Mail**.
6. Open **Bundles**.
7. Move the folder **MsgFilerPlugIn.mailbundle** to a new location.
8. Restart **Mail**.


# Migrating to MsgFiler 4

Support has ended for MsgFiler Classic. If you have upgraded to macOS Sonoma and are lamenting the fact that Mail Plug-Ins have been removed from the Mail app, you should purchase MsgFiler 4.

There are many new features in MsgFiler 4 that users have requested over the years, including:

* favorite mailboxes
* recent mailboxes
* ability to create new mailboxes from within MsgFiler
* configurable default action
* exclude mailboxes
* match on mailbox names only
* restrict search to selected accounts
* full keyboard access

## Differences Between the Application and Classic Plug-In

The previous version of MsgFiler came in the form of an [Apple Mail Plug-in](https://msgfiler.com/support/mail-plugins-explained/). Because the Mac App Store guidelines restricts plug-ins, MsgFiler has been rewritten to be a standalone application that communicates with Mail via [AppleScript](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppleScript). Differences between the plug-in and the application are noted below:

* **Hide Offline and Inactive Accounts**\
  MsgFiler 3.0 does not have the ability to determine whether a mail account is offline or inactive.
* **Mark as Read**\
  Due to AppleScript performance issues, the Mark as read feature has been removed from the application. From within MsgFiler, however, you can press `Command-Shift-U` to toggle the read/unread status of messages before you file them.
* **Loading Mailboxes**\
  The plug-in, by virtue of being integrated with Mail, is faster at loading and reloading of mailboxes.
* **Filing To Remote Mailboxes**\
  MsgFiler’s performance is slower than filing with the plug-in because MsgFiler must use AppleScript, whereas MsgFiler Classic has access to an internal method within the Mail application for filing.


# Purchasing MsgFiler Classic

It’s **recommended** that you purchase MsgFiler from the Mac App Store. If you still wish to purchase the plug-in, however, you can do so for [US$10 via PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick\&hosted_button_id=2VKTV8EA35374).

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** Purchasing the MsgFiler Mail Plug-In **does not** provide an upgrade path to the MsgFiler app on the Mac App Store.
{% endhint %}

You will receive your registration code within 24-48 hours upon the completion of the purchase transaction. If after such time you have not, you have not received your license code, please email support (at) msgfiler (dot) com with a copy of your PayPal receipt.


# Troubleshooting

Frequently asked questions about MsgFiler Classic.

<details>

<summary>I upgraded to Mavericks and filed messages keep reappearing in the original mailbox. I am using Gmail.</summary>

Did you hide the **All Mail** folder in Gmail’s web settings? If so, you will need to reveal this mailbox in IMAP for MsgFiler to work properly. See this [article on TidBits for more details](http://tidbits.com/article/14219).

</details>


# Version History

The version history and release notes for MsgFiler Classic, the Original MsgFiler Mail Plug-In.

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.0 – 2007-12-27</strong></summary>

* MsgFiler has been rewritten in Cocoa and is fully integrated into Mail. Improved searching and filing performance.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.1 – 2007-12-29</strong></summary>

* Fixed bug where registration window would appear after app was already registered.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.2 – 2008-02-12</strong></summary>

* Added the ability to copy messages instead of moving messages.
* Added additional preferences.
* Pressing the Escape key now closes MsgFiler.
* MsgFiler supports filing through MiniMail mail plugin from OliveToast.
* Fixed a bug in Tiger where MsgFiler window would not save its position
* Fixed a bug in Tiger where messages would not be filed properly.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.3 – 2008-07-30</strong></summary>

* New installer application MsgFiler now works properly on HFS+ Case-Sensitive Disk Partitions
* MsgFiler ignores mailbox directories (white folders into which you can’t file messages)
* Added Hide mailboxes from inactive and offline accounts feature

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.4 – 2009-08-26</strong></summary>

* Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard compatibility.
* Support for Mac OS 10.4 and earlier dropped. (Use 2.0.3 version of MsgFiler).

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.5 – 2009-09-10</strong></summary>

* Mac OS X 10.6.1 compatibility.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.6 – 2009-10-23</strong></summary>

* Mac OS X 10.6.2 compatibility.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.7 – 2010-05-19</strong></summary>

* Mac OS X 10.6.4 compatibility.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.8 – 2010-08-31</strong></summary>

* General compatibility fixes
* Preference for forcing the Enter key to always file messages, as opposed to moving from the input field to the table view.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.0.9 – 2011-01-26</strong></summary>

* General compatibility fixes
* Fixed bug where using MsgFiler may cause Spaces to hang and prevent keyboard input.<br>

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.0 – 2011-02-13</strong></summary>

* Restored MsgFiler’s results list font size back to the 2.0.8 setting.
* Web site updated to go to msgfiler.com

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.1 – 2011-06-08</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X Lion.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.2 – 2011-07-21</strong></summary>

* Go To Mailbox works in OS X Lion.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.3 – 2011-08-24</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X Lion.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.4 – 2011-12-27</strong></summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.5 – 2012-07-30</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X Mountain Lion.<br>

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.6 – 2012-08-07</strong></summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.7 – 2012-09-21</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with Snow Leopard and latest security update.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.8 – 2013-04-18</strong></summary>

* Compatibility fixes.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.1.9 – 2013-09-12</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.8.5.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.0 – 2013-10-21</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.1 – 2013-11-08</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with Mail Update for Mavericks.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.2 – 2013-12-16</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.3 – 2014-02-25</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.2.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.4 – 2014-05-15</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.3.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.5 – 2014-06-30</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.9.4.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.6 – 2014-10-20</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.10.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.7 – 2014-11-17</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.10.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.8 – 2015-01-27</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.10.2.
* Fixed bug preventing filing of messages in single message viewers.
* Mail Perspectives compatibility update.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.2.9 – 2015-09-30</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.11

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.0 – 2015-10-21</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.11.1.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.1 – 2015-12-08</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.11.2.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.2 – 2016-03-21</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with OS X 10.11.4.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.3 – 2016-09-08</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with macOS Sierra 10.12

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.4 – 2016-09-30</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with macOS Sierra 10.12.1.
* Fixes crashing bug when filing with Return key.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.5 – 2016-12-13</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with macOS Sierra 10.12.2.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.6 – 2016-03-27</strong></summary>

* Compatibility with macOS Sierra 10.12.4.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.7 – 2017-09-25</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS High Sierra 10.13

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.3.8 – 2018-09-24</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS Mojave 10.14

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.4.0 – 2019-10-11</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS Catalina 10.15

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.4.1 – 2020-05-04</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS Catalina 10.15.5

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.5.0 – 2020-11-10</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS Big Sur 11.0

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.5.1 – 2020-11-19</strong></summary>

* Support for macOS Big Sur 11.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.5.2 – 2020-11-25</strong></summary>

* Support for M1 Macs

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.6.0 – 2021-10-04</strong></summary>

* Support macOS Monterey 12.0

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Version 2.6.1 – 2021-12-07</strong></summary>

* Support macOS Monterey 12.1

</details>


# Product Comparison

Here is a table detailing the differences between the various MsgFiler products:

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th align="right"></th><th align="center">MsgFiler 4</th><th align="center">MsgFiler 3</th><th align="center">MsgFiler Classic</th><th align="center">MsgFiler Engine</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="right">Is An Application</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Is A Mail Plug-In</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Full Support for macOS Sonoma and higher</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Support for macOS Ventura and below</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Requirements</td><td align="center"><p>macOS Ventura and up</p><p></p><p>MsgFiler Filing Script</p></td><td align="center"><p>macOS Ventura and below</p><p></p><p>MsgFiler Engine</p></td><td align="center">macOS Ventura and below</td><td align="center">MsgFiler 3</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Availability</td><td align="center">Mac App Store and Gumroad</td><td align="center">Mac App Store</td><td align="center"><a href="https://msgfiler.com/support/plugin/">msgfiler.com</a></td><td align="center"><a href="https://msgfiler.com/support/engine">msgfiler.com</a></td></tr><tr><td align="right">Fast Filing</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Keyboard Shortcut</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Open Mailboxes</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Move Messages</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Copy Messages</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Favorites</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Reorder Favorites</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Recents</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Create New Mailboxes</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Archive Messages</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Label Messages</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Flag Messages</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Keep Open After Filing</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Restrict Search to Selected Accounts</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Ignore Paths When Searching</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Case-Sensitive Searching</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Exclude Mailboxes</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Support for Apple Shortcuts </td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Dark Mode</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr><tr><td align="right">Spaces Support</td><td align="center">✅</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">❌</td><td align="center">N/A</td></tr></tbody></table>


# Testimonials

> "There's a brutal simplicity when it comes to the [Mail.app](http://mail.app/) email application that comes with Mac OS. This is what it has over all the others on the market, however, there's also some shortcomings that may force someone who uses Macs professionally to seek out alternatives.\
> \
> For me, one of them is in the filing of messages.\
> \
> MsgFiler has been my secret workflow weapon and has always been the single most powerful tool in my arsenal in the battle for in-box zero. If you can zip through your inbox quickly and effortlessly filing, forwarding, delegating, dealing-with and deleting, you never miss an opportunity, or a deadline from your boss, or fail to respond immediately to a customer request, or thank your customer for that massive purchase order. There's no chance you're going to drop the ball on anything.\
> \
> It's been my email superpower now for over 16 years, and I'm happy to give Adam whatever he chooses to charge for it to get it again."
>
> — Emilijo Mihatov

> "As a seasoned entrepreneur with four startup companies under my belt, not including the Computer History Museum, and as a senior executive at several large companies including Apple, Cisco, and SAP, and as an academic at MIT, Berkeley, and Stanford, and as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, get a lot of email. I mean a lot! I had been using MsgFiler for many years, and when Apple disabled plugins for Apple Mail, I was devastated when Adam told the community he had packed it in supporting MsgFiler. So, I hacked together my own version. It started attracting users. Fortunately, when Adam saw it was possible to support it using some of the techniques I discovered, he resurrected MsgFiler as MsgFiler 4. I’ve been using early versions for some time rather than my own version. Now he’s released it. I love it!"
>
> — Ike Nassi

> "MsgFiler is the one productivity app I just can’t live without. No other email app comes close to making it this easy to archive and retrieve email, all from the keyboard. I’ve been using MsgFiler for more than 10 years, and it has saved me countless hours. The developer is highly responsive to user requests."
>
> — Michael F. Summers, Professor and HHMI Investigator

> "I have been using MsgFiler for years when filing emails for the 7 accounts I have in Apple Mail. These include nested mailboxes within mailboxes. If I relied on Mail's standard of dragging and dropping it would take forever to file messages. A quick keystroke shortcut is definitely needed. The previous version of MsgFiler used a Mail plugin but, unfortunately, Apple decided to stop supporting plugins with Sonoma. I held off upgrading Ventura to Sonoma until Adam came up with this completely new version that works great in the latest MacOS. Adam has been extremely supportive all these years, I was excited to upgrade, and I'm happy to let everybody know it works great! An app I recommend to all Apple Mail users!"
>
> — Doug Lerner, Tokyo

> "MsgFiler is the fastest way to move, copy, and label messages in Mail. It also offers useful features for navigating and managing mailboxes."\
> — [Macworld](http://www.macworld.com/article/158705/2011/03/msgfiler3.html) ![MsgFiler 4-mice rating on MacWorld](https://msgfiler.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/macworld-4-5mice.png)

> "One of the most useful pieces of software I own; I’m sure it increases my efficiency in dealing with mail by several factors, if not an order of magnitude."
>
> — [Ed Zalta, Stanford University](http://mally.stanford.edu/zalta.html)

> "First of all, I am delighted with MsgFiler. It has made a huge difference in my ability to keep on top of filing my mail."
>
> — Rob

> "Thanks for keeping it updated and saving me hours and hours over the years. Likely I may be into days and days of time savings!"
>
> — Doug S

> "The best $10 I have spent on a Mac app – ever!"
>
> — Raven Zachary


# Social Media

* [X (formerly Twitter)](https://twitter.com/msgfiler)
* [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/msgfiler)


# Privacy Policy and EULA

## Privacy Policy

### Data Collection and Usage

MsgFiler does not collect or transmit any personal data off your device. All data used by the app remains local and private.

* The app records the number of messages filed for basic usage statistics.
* **Basic Log**: When enabled, MsgFiler records minimal information about filing operations, such as the timestamp, the type of operation (move or copy), the number of messages involved, and the destination mailbox. This log is intended for troubleshooting and efficiency tracking.
* **Smart Suggestions Log**: If you enable the Smart Suggestions feature, MsgFiler will additionally record email metadata (such as subject lines, sender addresses, message IDs, and mailbox names) in order to train its on-device classifier. This log resides only on your Mac and is never uploaded or shared.

### Location Data

The app does not request or use your location.

### Licensing

MsgFiler uses two licensing methods:

* **Mac App Store**: Your rights are protected by Apple’s [privacy policy](https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/app-store/) and [end user license agreement](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/).
* **Gumroad**: The direct distribution version of MsgFiler utilizes Gumroad for payment processing. Upon purchase, Gumroad provides a license key, which users need to enter in our app. Our app displays the license key, email used for the purchase, and the purchase date for verification and support purposes. MsgFiler does not store the email address permanently; it is retained only temporarily in memory. The processing of transaction data is governed by Gumroad’s privacy policy, available [here](https://gumroad.com/privacy). By using the direct distribution version of MsgFiler and entering the provided license key, you consent to these data practices.&#x20;

### User Control

* Both the Basic Log and Smart Suggestions Log can be cleared at any time from within the app.
* You can disable logging or Smart Suggestions at any time.

***

## End User License Agreement

The MsgFiler End User License Agreement (EULA) is supplementary to Apple's Standard End User License Agreement, which can be reviewed here: <https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/>.

### Pro and free features

* The application has free and paid (“Pro”) features. Free features are free to use. Purchasing a license is not required to use these. Pro features are available with a Lifetime Unlock or Inbox Organizer subscription plan (where available).

### Trial Period

* The app does not come with a trial period. Pro features can be used on a limited basis without a license, but the app will periodically inform you that you should pay to get unlimited access to these features.
* This freemium mode is not designed to be a means to avoid paying for a license. Rather, it is designed to allow you to evaluate the application beyond the typical time given to software trials. Using it beyond a reasonable amount of time to evaluate the app is counter-productive to the app’s goal of saving you time filing your email and organizing your mailboxes.

### Pro license price and purchase process

The app is sold and distributed via two channels:

* Mac App Store
  * Apple provides the in-app and online purchase experience, handling invoicing, payment methods, license management, activations, and refunds.
  * The app is offered here via a one-time in-app purchase or via an auto-renewing monthly or annual subscription plan.
  * Your credit card on file will be charged to your iTunes Account once you confirm your purchase. If you purchased an Annual Membership or Monthly Subscription plan, your iTunes account will be charged again when your subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase.
* Gumroad
  * Gumroad provides the online purchase experience, handling invoicing, payment methods, license management, activations, and refunds.

### Pro license conditions for home users

* If the license is purchased via the Mac App Store, a single license can be used on all Macs tied to the same Apple ID used to purchase the app.
* If the license is purchased via Gumroad, a single license key is meant to be used on up to 5 Macs owned by the purchaser.

### Pro license conditions for business users

* Businesses that would like to use the app in any way beyond a reasonable evaluation period are required to buy a Pro license. This is not enforced by the app, however, and businesses are asked to comply with the terms laid out here.
* If you need volume licensing for more than 5 users, contact me.
* Non-profits, charities, etc. are not considered businesses.

### Refund policy

* Refunds to purchases made via the Mac App Store are handled by Apple. Please refer to the following [link](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118223) for more information.
* Purchases made via Gumroad are final and there are no refunds. By downloading the app, your agree to lose the right to withdrawal after a purchase. Gumroad has additional details about refunds on [this page](https://help.gumroad.com/article/51-what-is-gumroads-refund-policy).

### Compatibility Issues

* The app is heavily dependent on the platform (macOS), Apple Mail, and AppleScript. Sometimes Apple makes changes to these components which may affect the operation of the app.
* There are a number of email setups, and it cannot be guaranteed that the app will work properly for your specific email configuration. As such, you are advised to use the app in Freemium mode to evaluate its suitability for your workflow prior to making a purchasing decision.
* Incompatibility issues are not grounds for refunds.

### Disclaimer of Warranties

* By using this app, you agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the developer from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and all costs and expenses of defense, including but not limited to, attorneys' fees, resulting directly or indirectly from a claim by a third party that arises in connection with your use of this app.

***

## Changes to This Policy <a href="#changes-to-this-policy" id="changes-to-this-policy"></a>

We reserve the right to modify these terms and privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently.

* October 3, 2025: Added sections for Data Collection and Usage, Location Data, Licensing, and User Control. Added information about data collection from the Basic Log and Smart Suggestions features.
* April 3, 2024: Added link to Apple Standard End User License Agreement.
* March 14, 2024: First published.