diff --git a/app/plugins/builtins/mail/services.py b/app/plugins/builtins/mail/services.py
index 8027789..517ec61 100644
--- a/app/plugins/builtins/mail/services.py
+++ b/app/plugins/builtins/mail/services.py
@@ -663,11 +663,21 @@ async def imap_sync_folder(
 
             if existing_mail:
                 # If mail has deleted_at but is still on the IMAP server,
-                # the IMAP delete failed — restore it so it's visible again.
-                # This prevents mails from being permanently hidden when IMAP delete fails.
+                # the IMAP delete failed.
+                # Only restore if the mail is in the SAME folder we're syncing.
+                # If the mail was moved to Trash in DB (folder_id=Trash) but is
+                # still in INBOX on IMAP, DON'T restore to INBOX — keep it
+                # in Trash and let the sync queue retry the IMAP MOVE.
                 if existing_mail.deleted_at is not None:
-                    existing_mail.deleted_at = None
-                    logger.info("imap_sync_folder: restored mail %s (still on IMAP server, delete had failed)", existing_mail.id)
+                    if existing_mail.folder_id == folder.id:
+                        # Mail is in the right folder on IMAP — restore
+                        existing_mail.deleted_at = None
+                        logger.info("imap_sync_folder: restored mail %s (still on IMAP server in correct folder)", existing_mail.id)
+                    else:
+                        # Mail is in a different folder in DB — IMAP move failed
+                        # Don't restore, don't change folder_id — keep in Trash
+                        logger.info("imap_sync_folder: skipping mail %s (deleted, in folder %s but found in %s on IMAP, move failed)", existing_mail.id, existing_mail.folder_id, folder.imap_name)
+                        continue
                 # Update folder_id and imap_uid if mail moved to a different folder
                 if existing_mail.folder_id != folder.id:
                     existing_mail.folder_id = folder.id
@@ -1161,10 +1171,21 @@ async def imap_sync_account(
 
                     if existing_mail:
                         # If mail has deleted_at but is still on the IMAP server,
-                        # the IMAP delete failed — restore it so it's visible again.
+                        # the IMAP delete failed.
+                        # Only restore if the mail is in the SAME folder we're syncing.
+                        # If the mail was moved to Trash in DB (folder_id=Trash) but is
+                        # still in INBOX on IMAP, DON'T restore to INBOX — keep it
+                        # in Trash and let the sync queue retry the IMAP MOVE.
                         if existing_mail.deleted_at is not None:
-                            existing_mail.deleted_at = None
-                            logger.info("imap_sync_account: restored mail %s (still on IMAP server, delete had failed)", existing_mail.id)
+                            if existing_mail.folder_id == folder.id:
+                                # Mail is in the right folder on IMAP — restore
+                                existing_mail.deleted_at = None
+                                logger.info("imap_sync_account: restored mail %s (still on IMAP server in correct folder)", existing_mail.id)
+                            else:
+                                # Mail is in a different folder in DB — IMAP move failed
+                                # Don't restore, don't change folder_id — keep in Trash
+                                logger.info("imap_sync_account: skipping mail %s (deleted, in folder %s but found in %s on IMAP, move failed)", existing_mail.id, existing_mail.folder_id, folder.imap_name)
+                                continue
                         # Track folder moves: update folder_id and imap_uid if the
                         # mail now appears in a different IMAP folder.
                         if existing_mail.folder_id != folder.id: