Removing OS X Suggested Email Names

Apple Remove Recipients

Yesterday, I got an email bounce back because I accidentally sent one of my friends and email to their old email address. The reason that happened is that OS X Mail auto-populates(aka auto-complete) the email address as you type. But, this particular friend has two emails: the legacy incorrect one and the shiny new correct one. How do I remove the legacy email address so it no longer appears as a valid choice? Well, the cleanup is easy, one you realize that the menu item “Previous Recipients” is the key.

  1. Access your list of suggested email addresses:
    • Run the Mail application
    • From the Window menu | Previous Recipients menu item
  2. Sort the results
    • Clicking a column allows you to sort by the column
    • I sorted by Email address, but you might find Name or “Last Used” more beneficial
  3. Remove unwanted entries
    • Highlight the rows you wish to remove
    • Note you can multi-pick using the Command button
    • Click the “Remove From List” button

I cleaned up a bunch of email addresses, removing persons I don’t regularly contact from the addresses that Mail suggests. Wow, what a difference!