Sync deleted messages over 400 days between Thunderbird and Gmail
I have Thunderbird set to delete all messages older than 400 days. Thunderbird deletes them, but the messages still exist in the All Mail folder on Google. If I compact the folder in Thunderbird, the messages appear to be deleted, but next time I start Thunderbird, they are downloaded again. I am using IMAP. I have Cleanup (Expunge) Inbox on Exit set. I have Empty Trash set. I would like to have Gmail synced with Thunder and have all messages over 400 days (except Starred) deleted on Gmail when they are deleted by Thunderbird. I have a seen lot of stuff on this site, lot of advice that doesn't work, related to the problem, but I have yet to see any workable solution posted. Does any one know how this can be accomplished?
Modified by BobVezz
All Replies (3)
I have Empty Trash set.
I don't understand what that means. In any case, you'll need to empty the Trash after deleting messages. Use webmail if your Trash folder in Thunderbird is not identical with the Trash folder on the server. See https://support.google.com/mail/answer/78755
Empty Trash is a server setting on Exit for the account. I am not manually deleting. Thunderbird is auto-deleting items over 400 days, yet they remain on Google and get reloaded every time I start Thunderbird. All my folders are identical so that is not the issue. If I manually delete, then Google deletes, but if Thunderbird deletes, Google retains the message. I read the support article you forwarded and it's telling me the option is useless because I have to manually delete in order for Google to delete. If I have to manually delete the messages, why have this option? All other folders are displaying messages under 400 days. That doesn't mean they are deleted. All Mail is still sowing them meaning Google hasn't deleted them. If I compact, they disappear from the view but reappear when I restart Thunderbird.
It doesn't matter whether you delete messages manually or have Thunderbird delete them after 400 days. The point is that you'll need to empty the Trash. This is a Gmail feature and not a Thunderbird problem. You may address any complains to Google.