Mail on Mac shows images and one page PDFs inline by default. Apple documents a control for single attachments and no global setting. Control click the attachment and select View as Icon to show an icon. Apple publishes no Terminal command for this task.
Photos and PDFs open inside the message body and push the text down. Apple gives one control to show them as icons.
Steps follow the Apple Support guide on viewing, saving and deleting attachments in Mail.
What is Shown by Default?
Images and one page PDFs display inline in the message. Other files show as icons.
How to Show an Attachment as an Icon?
- Open Mail and select the message.
- Control click the attachment.
- Select View as Icon.
Switch back by selecting View in Place from the same menu.
Is There a Terminal Command?
Apple does not document one. Apple describes no global setting for inline or icon display. You set it per attachment. Defaults commands in search results come from user posts and not from Apple. Test any command on a spare account first.
What Else is Possible With Attachments?
- Preview. Select the attachment and press the Space bar.
- Open in an app. Control click, select Open With and choose the app.
- Save. Select the message and choose File then Save Attachments.
- Remove. Select the message and choose Message then Remove Attachments. On IMAP accounts the files are also deleted from the mail server.
Related reading: how to delete an attachment from an Outlook email and how to reduce Outlook attachment size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Stop Inline Attachments in Apple Mail?
Open the attachment menu with a Control click and choose View as Icon. Repeat for other attachments.
Is There a Global Setting for Inline Attachments?
Not in the Apple guide. Apple applies the setting to single attachments.
Does Apple Document a Terminal Command?
No. Apple publishes no Terminal command for inline attachments.
How do I Show the Attachment in the Message Again?
Choose View in Place from the same Control click menu.
Key Takeaways
- Mail shows images and one page PDFs inline by default.
- View as Icon converts one attachment into an icon.
- View in Place reverses it.
- Apple documents no global setting and no Terminal command.
- Remove Attachments also deletes files from IMAP servers.
Sources and References
Facts follow Apple Support.
- View, save or delete email attachments in Mail on Mac (Apple Support) support.apple.com