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UNEXPUNGE(8) Cyrus IMAP UNEXPUNGE(8)

unexpunge - Cyrus IMAP documentation

Recover messages the user has (accidentally) deleted.

unexpunge [ -C config-file ] -l mailbox [ uid... ]
unexpunge [ -C config-file ] -t time-interval [ -d ] [ -v ] [ -f flagname ] mailbox
unexpunge [ -C config-file ] -a [ -d ] [ -v ] [ -f flagname ] mailbox
unexpunge [ -C config-file ] -u [ -d ] [ -v ] [ -f flagname ] mailbox uid...


The unexpunge program is used to list or restore messages which have been deleted from a mailbox, but still reside in the Cyrus IMAP mail spool.

This utility is only useful when the server is configured with expunge_mode set to delayed in its configuration file.

unexpunge reads its configuration options out of the imapd.conf(5) file unless specified otherwise by -C.

Use the specified configuration file config-file rather than the default imapd.conf(5).

List the expunged messages in the specified mailbox which are available for restoration. Optionally, only list the messages in the mailbox matching the UIDs in the space-separated list at the end of the command invocation.

Unexpunge messages which were expunged within the last time-interval seconds. Use one of the trailing modifiers -- m (minutes), h (hours), d (days) or w (weeks) -- to specify a different time unit.

Restore all of the expunged messages in the specified mailbox.

Restore only messages matching the UIDs, in a space-separated list at the end of the command invocation, in the specified mailbox.

Unset the \Deleted flag on any restored messages.

Set the user flag \flagname on the messages restored, making it easier for the user(s) to find the restored messages and operate on them (in a batch).

Enable verbose output/logging.

unexpunge -l user/john@example.org


List the messages that are expunged and could be restored for mailbox user/john@example.org.


unexpunge -u user/john@example.org 278787 278788


Unexpunge two of these messages.


mbexamine user/john@example.org


Examine the mailbox for the two restored messages.


unexpunge -u -d user.johnsmith 46908


Unexpunge a select message based on its UID, clearing the \Deleted flag.


unexpunge -a user.johnsmit.Trash


Unexpunge all messages in a user's Trash, but leave them flagged \Deleted.


unexpunge -a -f Flagged user.johnsmith.Trash


The same, but setting user flag \Flagged to facilitate later bulk operations.


unexpunge -t 24h -d -f Flagged user.johnsmith


Unexpunge messages matching only a given time period.


unexpunge -t 24h -d -f Flagged user/johnsmith


The same command, supporting the unixhierarchysep: yes option in imapd.conf(5).


/etc/imapd.conf

imapd.conf(5)

The Cyrus Team, Nic Bernstein (Onlight), Jeroen van Meeuwen (Kolab Systems)

1993–2025, The Cyrus Team

June 27, 2025 3.10.2