lost emails in Google

[ChrisKC]

Yesterday, I went to check my email box in Google account that I have had ever since it started.

Both in my iPad and my laptop all emails disappeared from my inbox, (Primary, Social and Promotions), and I have NOT deleted them accidentally or otherwise. I have searched every one of my folders and they remain intact with emails moved there over the period.

A similar thing happened about six weeks ago when suddenly one day I discovered emails for about two years missing but that time only from the Primary inbox.

As it happens, there is very little that I have lost that was important but I write here for the benefit of those who may have had a similar experience and found a solution to the problem.

I have checked that my account has not been hacked - not that there should be any reason I know of why it should be.

I can't find a way to refer this to Google for them to throw some light on the matter.

Thank you for any input that might help.

[MJCM]

Did you by any chance use a Pop3 / Imap client to access those emails ?

[ChrisKC]

I went there as normal by clicking on the GMAIL button in the Google home page

[MJCM]

Let me rephrase.

Did you use any EMAIL program (other then access via your Web Browser) to access those Emails ?

With Email program I mean something like: Outlook, Thunderbird, etc etc or maybe even the Email client on your Phone, Tablet

Edited December 26, 2015 by MJCM

[ChrisKC]

Sir,

I haven't used any email program. Sometimes I access emails through iPad which I guess is via safari.

Just been checking on iPad and notice that SOME conversations; that is where there is incoming mail and my reply are sitting in the "all Mail" box and therefore not lost. Weird I think

[MJCM]

Oke good that we have cleared that issue, the reason why I asked was that there are settings in Email programs that will delete email after being downloaded so that's why !

And I am not old enough yet to be called "Sir"

I think what you are noticing are grouped email conversations ?

Have a look here: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/turn-off-gmails-conversation-view.html

or here: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/5900?hl=en

[Myran]

Check if someone else has accessed your account and messed around (unlikely as it may be). Log in to Gmail and open the menu in the upper right corner. Pick My Account and then Device activity & notifications, followed by Review Devices. You should be able to see all devices that have logged on to your account and also from where.

[MJCM]

^ +1

And just in case if you hadn't enabled it, enable 2 step authentication

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?hl=en

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1085463?hl=en

Edited December 26, 2015 by MJCM

[ChrisKC]

Thank you so much for your help.

Eight months ago, apart from my account name, I changed everything: passwords, two step verification and enabled authentication protocols. No problems there.

Conversation groupings are automatically done in Google for me.

Most Members on this forum don't have a username or an avatar connected to their real identity. I use my name or some variation on it with EVERY website I have to log in to and my four email addresses applies the same principle. I believe in my identity; it's my thing. I do not think it is wrong for others to do as they wish.

But in the absence of a name, I use a salutation that shows respect to those wanting to help me. One would be doing me a dis-service if it were construed I was being patronising, sarcastic or using the word "Sir" to a child.

Thank you again,

Chris

[RichCor]

Chris,

Try selecting "All Mail", see if the missing items are there.

I don't like the 'priority' inbox, so have mine set to default (single inbox).

It's rare for google will mess with the contents of your account (software glitches aside). The system is unique, in that there really are no 'folders', but tags. Items can get tagged to appear in multiple locations. Sometimes a glitch will occur, or a bad data connection will interrupt an IMAP communication and the items seem to disappear.

Hopefully the items will still be in "All Mail", "Sent Mail" or "SPAM", as those sections are isolated from one another.

[cyberfarang]

Thank you so much for your help.

Eight months ago, apart from my account name, I changed everything: passwords, two step verification and enabled authentication protocols. No problems there.

Conversation groupings are automatically done in Google for me.

Most Members on this forum don't have a username or an avatar connected to their real identity. I use my name or some variation on it with EVERY website I have to log in to and my four email addresses applies the same principle. I believe in my identity; it's my thing. I do not think it is wrong for others to do as they wish.

But in the absence of a name, I use a salutation that shows respect to those wanting to help me. One would be doing me a dis-service if it were construed I was being patronising, sarcastic or using the word "Sir" to a child.

Thank you again,

Chris

To check that the items have not been deleted, go into your bin or trash box and search for them in there. If you cannot see your bin or trash boxes, click on more after your list of boxes.

[Brit_Doggie]

It happens Hotmail/google in yahoo test mode atm so will see but I find it hard to believe that you don't read and save important mail elsewhere.

[balo]

When did this happen ? I lost mails on gmail I received on December 23rd , a mystery really , I never deleted them .

[cyberfarang]

When did this happen ? I lost mails on gmail I received on December 23rd , a mystery really , I never deleted them .

It is impossible to lose emails in gmail unless they are deliberately or accidentally deleted or they are sent to the spam box where they are automatically deleted after a certain time, or certain emails from specific locations have been filtered to be deleted on arrival.

[Satcommlee]

You could always ask for your money back, oh wait a minute it was free!