5 Best Ways to Fix ‘This Message Has No Content in Mail’ Error

Have you encountered the prompt, “This message has no content,” in your Mail app? 

Then don’t worry, you’re not alone.

A significant number of Apple users have also reported invisible email content issues. These problems are typically linked to server glitches or corrupt data.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to resolve this issue in the Mail app.

Let’s dive in!

TL;DR Version

Try these fixes if you encounter a ‘this message has no content’ error in the Mail app:

  1. Check Your Internet Connection
  2. Try Another Device
  3. Restart the Mail App
  4. Rebuild Your Mailbox (Mac)
  5. Update Your Device

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Loading issues can occur if your internet connection is slow or unstable. 

Before delving into your emails, verify your connection to a reliable network. Run a network speed test to identify any underlying issues.

Speed Test

Should the test reveal any problems, resetting your router or modem can help. Here’s how:

  1. Disconnect your router from the power source.
  2. Wait for 5-10 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the router.
this message has no content in mail

After restarting, rerun the speed test to see if the issue has been resolved.

Note:

Persistent problems may require the expertise of your network administrator or a call to your internet service provider (ISP) for resolution.

Related: How to Fix Mail Slow to Update on iOS


2. Try Using A Different Device

It’s possible that the issue lies with the device you’re currently using. To rule this out, attempt to access your email on a different device, such as an iPad, Mac, or another iPhone.

Note:

If the Mail app functions correctly on alternate devices, please refer to the concluding section for further guidance.

Related: How to Fix Disappearing Emails on iPhone 13 Pro


3. Restart the Mail App

If emails continue to display a ‘This message has no content’ status, a simple restart of the Mail app might resolve the issue. This action prompts the Mail app to refresh your emails, which might not have loaded correctly due to an unstable internet connection.

For iPad or iPhone Users:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to access the App Switcher.
  2. Scroll through the list and find the Mail App.
  3. Swipe the Mail app upwards to shut it down.
App Switcher

For Mac Users: 

  1. Press Command + Space on your keyboard to open Spotlight.
  2. Type Activity Monitor in the Spotlight search field and open it.
  3. Search for Mail within the Activity Monitor.
Activity Monitor
  1. Select the Mail app and click the X button in the top toolbar to close it.
  2. Reopen the Mail app to verify if the issue has been resolved.

Related: How to Fix Mail Not Working on Mac


4. Rebuild Your Mailbox on a Mac

If errors continue, consider rebuilding your mailbox to ensure all emails load correctly. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Mail app on your Mac.
  2. Select the desired mailbox from the sidebar.
  3. Click on Mailbox in the menu bar, then choose Rebuild from the drop-down menu.
  4. Follow any on-screen instructions to finalize the rebuild.
this message has no content in mail


5. Update Your Device to the Latest Version

Problems with the Mail app can sometimes stem from bugs and errors in iOS or macOS. Staying current with software updates can help resolve unexpected issues with the Mail app. 

For iPhone and iPad Users:

  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Go to General > Software Update.
  3. If an update is available, select Download and Install.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply the update.
this message has no content in mail

Important Notes

  1. Your iPhone may restart multiple times during the update.
  2. Before updating, ensure the battery is at least 50% charged. For uninterrupted installation, connect your iPhone to a charger.
  3. Allow at least 15 minutes for the update to complete, particularly for major upgrades (e.g., from iOS 15 to iOS 16).

To avoid missing future updates, enable automatic updates on your iPhone: 

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone. 
  2. Go to General > Software Update > Automatic Updates
  3. Enable Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.
Auto Update

Related: How to Fix Unable to Check for Update Error on iPhone


Keeping your Mac updated ensures the smooth running of applications like the Mail app but also protects your device against vulnerabilities. Here’s how:

  1. Click the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
  2. Navigate to General and then Software Update.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate any available updates.
this message has no content in mail

Important Notes:

  • Your Mac may restart several times during the update process.
  • If the update progress appears to be stuck, give it time. Updates can take a while, especially on slower connections or with major updates.

FAQs

Why does my Apple Mail have no content?

If you’re not seeing any content on your Mail app, it could be because your account is not signed in. Such a scenario might occur if you’ve recently changed your password or reset your device and overlooked re-signing into your email. Additionally, slow internet connections and server downtimes can lead to synchronization issues, preventing emails from displaying. 

Why are my emails blank on my iPhone?

If your emails are blank, it’s most likely that the Mail app has encountered temporary glitches. A simple restart of the app can refresh its resources and fix any arising issues. 

Why is my Apple Mail not showing messages?

If your Apple Mail is not showing messages, you may need to check if you are using message filters. Review and adjust any filters to ensure that they are not blocking the messages you expect to see. To find emails faster, organize your emails by date to bring the most recent messages to the top. If you still can’t find your messages, it may be because your account has been signed out or inactive. 

Can Apple Mail be reinstalled?

No. Apple Mail is a default application on both iOS and macOS devices. To reinstall Apple Mail, you would need to either reset your iPhone to its factory settings or perform a clean installation of macOS on your Mac. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 

Author

  • John Sixto

    John is a staff writer at Saint and comes from a SAP ABAP development background. He has a Bachelors in IT and has been writing since 2018, with over 500 posts published. He loves to build PCs and has a deep curiosity in understanding how different components and configurations work. John spends hundreds of hours at a time, researching and testing the software and apps, before he proceeds to write about it. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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