Download Messages on Demand lets you control when Mailbird Next downloads the full content of your emails. Turn it on to save bandwidth and local storage. Mailbird Next fetches each message body only when you open the message, instead of downloading everything in advance.

This setting is available on the Mac and Windows versions of Mailbird Next.

📥 Overview

By default, Mailbird Next downloads the full body of every message in the background as soon as it arrives, so your mail is ready to read instantly, even offline.

When Download Messages on Demand is turned on:

• Mailbird Next downloads only what it needs to show your message list: sender, subject, and date.
• The full message body downloads the moment you open the message, then stays cached on your device.

This is ideal if you're on a metered or limited internet connection, or if you want to keep Mailbird Next's local storage small.

⚙️ How It Works

With Download Messages on Demand enabled, Mailbird Next still keeps your message list up to date. The difference is that message bodies are downloaded only when needed.

• Message list: Mailbird Next syncs enough information to show each email in your list.
• Message body: The email content downloads when you open the message.
• Local cache: After the body has downloaded once, it remains cached on your device and opens quickly later.

🔧 How to Enable or Disable Download Messages on Demand

1. Click the Settings gear icon in the left-hand sidebar.
2. Open the Advanced tab.
3. Under Startup and App Behaviour, find Download Messages on Demand.
4. Switch the toggle on or off as needed.

The change will take effect right away. No restart is needed.

If you switch Download Messages on Demand back off, Mailbird Next starts downloading the message bodies it previously skipped.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind

When Download Messages on Demand is on, keep the following in mind:

• Opening a message: The body downloads the first time you open the message, so you'll need an internet connection at that moment. Afterward, it's cached and opens instantly.
• Offline access: Messages you haven't opened yet won't have their content available offline until you've opened them at least once while online. Messages you've already read stay available offline.
• Other folders: Mailbird Next keeps your Inbox up to date automatically. Other folders, such as Sent, Archive, or custom folders, refresh when you open them rather than syncing in the background.
• New-message notifications: Notifications show the sender and subject right away. The short body preview appears once the message body has downloaded.
• Spam and Trash: Mailbird Next never downloads bodies for messages in Spam or Trash automatically. Those message bodies download only when you open the message.
• Search: You can still search your email. Mailbird Next searches your mail on the server, so messages are findable even when their bodies aren't yet stored on your device.

💬 Need More Help?

If you have any questions about Download Messages on Demand or need help, please contact our Customer Happiness Team. We're always happy to assist you.