MacBook - Mail taking up too much storage

[Popsarmchair]

I have a 2015 MacBook Air, running Mojave 10.14.1 with 500Gb flash storage and 8GB memory.
I need to free up disc space and note that Apple Mail is using 13.1Gb. I use Gmail not Apple Mail and have checked that there are no emails in the app (as they are in Gmail, I have a rule running that deletes them). 13.1GB seems huge for the app - is this right and if not what do I need to do to free up space?

 

[honestone]

That does sound like a lot of space being used. However, just because you delete an EMail does not necessarily permanently remove it from your machine. It depends on the EMail software. I use Thunderbird myself, and there is a specific menu option I choose every time I delete an EMail, so that it is permanently removed.

However, your post is somewhat confusing. How are you using Gmail? I myself have both Gmail and Hot Mail accounts, but I use my browser to access such Emails (most are junk mail). I do not have them "feed through" Thunderbird.

Also, did you ever use Apple's Mail program for your EMails? Which EMail software/"service" did you configure to use with your ISP?

 

[Popsarmchair]

Thanks Honestone.
I don't use Thunderbird or other email app, just Gmail in my Chrome browser.
I did use Apple Mail in the past, but not for many years. There are no emails remaining in the Apple Mail app on my MacBook; I found the option to 'Remove Deleted items' menu option, but this has not made any difference.

 

[honestone]

Not sure how much "removal" you can do, but this link explains how to locate "files" associated with Apple's Mail program:

https://www.lifewire.com/find-and-open-stored-attachments-1172808

Given that you are running Mojave, it looks like you can just use the command "~/Library/Mail/V6".

This link also has some information about cleaning up "stuff" related to Apple's Mail program:

https://www.howtogeek.com/209517/how-to-stop-your-macs-mail-app-from-wasting-gigabytes-of-space/

However, not sure how "good/stable" CleanMyMac is, although it seems to have improved recently. I myself use the excellent freeware program Onyx for cleanup. You can get it from here:

https://www.titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html

Since you are using Mojave, make sure to get version 3.5.3. However, it is necessary for you to have a backup. You are making backups, right?

 

[Popsarmchair]

Many thanks Honestone. That did the trick and I didn't need to use CleanMyMac.

 

[honestone]

You're most welcome. Glad you got the issue resolved.