Apple’s iCloud email is a great free service that is configured automatically on Macs and iDevices. If you work on multiple platforms or with non-Apple email programs, however, you’ll have to manually configure access.
Instructions vary based on the specific software, but the following information should allow users to configure iCloud IMAP access in almost any modern operating system or email application.
Note that other forms of email, such as POP and Exchange, are not compatible with iCloud. Make sure your email application or operating system supports IMAP email accounts.
Enter your email application’s settings and choose to add a new IMAP account. The first step to adding an account is to configure IMAP settings for incoming mail:
- Enter the IMAP Server Name: imap.mail.me.com
- Set SSL to “Yes”
- Set the Port to 993
- Use your full iCloud email address as your user name; for example: [email protected]
- Enter your iCloud password, which is case-sensitive, in the password field
Next, set up your SMTP settings for outgoing mail:
- Enter the SMTP Sever Name: smtp.mail.me.com
- Set SSL to “Yes”
- Set the Port to 587
- Set SMTP Authentication to “Yes”
- Use your full iCloud email address as your user name; for example: [email protected]
- Enter your iCloud password, which is case-sensitive, in the password field
Save your settings and your email application will attempt to connect to iCloud. If you receive an error, double check the settings above, and make sure your username (your full iCloud email address) and password are correct.
If everything is correct and your email application still cannot access iCloud’s email servers, check the iCloud System Status site to make sure that everything is functioning properly on Apple’s side.
Apple makes iCloud email setup on its own devices a breeze, but with a few minutes you can set up your iCloud email almost anywhere and have access to it on the PC at work, an Android tablet, or a Linux workstation.
Teaser graphic made with help from Shutterstock.