Email Sync Problems

Fix Sent Mail Missing from 'On My Computer' in Outlook for Mac

Steven Parker Oct 14, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to locate their sent email messages within the local 'On My Computer' folder after transitioning to the New Outlook for Mac.

How to Fix Sent Mail Missing from 'On My Computer' in Outlook for Mac

Product: Microsoft Outlook for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Checking sent messages after an account migration to the New Outlook for Mac, especially for cloud synchronization accounts.
Observed behavior: Sent emails do not appear in the 'On My Computer' section and seem to not be saved locally as they were in previous versions of the software.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable network so Outlook can successfully communicate with your email provider's mail server.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate Sent Messages Directly in Server-Side Folders

Since the New Outlook for Mac prioritizes cloud storage, you should check for your sent messages in the server-side folders rather than local storage.

In the New Outlook for Mac, accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, IMAP, Outlook.com, and Microsoft 365 Exchange are added as cloud synchronization accounts.

This means your sent messages are safely stored on the mail server (e.g., Google or Microsoft's servers) rather than being saved as local copies in the 'On My Computer' folder.

Locate your email account

In the left navigation pane of Outlook for Mac, scroll past the 'On My Computer' section and find your specific email account heading (e.g., your Gmail or Exchange address).

Access the server Sent folder

Click on the 'Sent' or 'Sent Items' folder located directly under your email account name. All your sent messages will be synchronized and visible here.

Locate Sent Messages Directly in Server-Side Folders

Data Safety: Your emails are not lost. They are securely retained on your email provider's servers, ensuring they are accessible from any device connected to your account.

Solution 2

Revert to Legacy Outlook for Mac

Switch back to the classic version of Outlook if your workflow strictly requires saving sent messages to local folders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my sent emails if they are not in the 'On My Computer' folder?

No. In the New Outlook for Mac, sent emails for IMAP, Exchange, and cloud-synced accounts (like Gmail and Yahoo) are securely stored on the provider's mail server rather than taking up local disk space.

Can I force the New Outlook to save emails locally to 'On My Computer'?

Currently, the New Outlook for Mac relies heavily on cloud synchronization and does not fully support routing sent items to local folders. To regain traditional local storage behavior, you must revert to the Legacy Outlook version.

Why did my email account become a cloud synchronization account?

To provide advanced features like cross-device syncing and shared calendars, Microsoft now integrates third-party email accounts (like Gmail and Yahoo) using their cloud sync technology when you migrate to the New Outlook for Mac.

Outlook & Email Problems