Alibaba Mail (also known as Aliyun Mail) is the enterprise-oriented mail service from Alibaba Cloud, deployed both as a hosted business mailbox and as bundled email for Alibaba Cloud accounts. It runs on region-specific infrastructure (mainland China vs Singapore for international). To connect an Alibaba Mail account to Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or a mobile client, three prerequisites must be met first, then use the region-appropriate settings below.
Alibaba Mail requires three things before any external client can connect, and server hostnames differ by region. (1) The domain administrator must grant third-party client logon permissions in the Alibaba Mail admin console. (2) The administrator must enable POP3 or IMAP service for each user account. (3) Each user must set a separate client security password, distinct from their main webmail login password, and use that password in Outlook/Thunderbird/Apple Mail. Additionally, hostnames vary by region: mainland China uses imap.aliyun.com/smtp.aliyun.com/pop3.aliyun.com, international Singapore uses imap.sg.aliyun.com/smtp.sg.aliyun.com/pop.sg.aliyun.com. Check your Alibaba Mail webmail URL to determine which region your account is in. Reference: SMTP 550 5.7.1 guide.
Quick Reference: Alibaba Mail Server Settings by Region
Mainland China (China site)
| Protocol | Server | Port | Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP | smtp.aliyun.com | 465 | SSL/TLS |
| IMAP | imap.aliyun.com | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| POP3 | pop3.aliyun.com | 995 | SSL/TLS |
International / Singapore site
| Protocol | Server | Port | Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP | smtp.sg.aliyun.com | 465 | SSL/TLS |
| IMAP | imap.sg.aliyun.com | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| POP3 | pop.sg.aliyun.com | 995 | SSL/TLS |
Authentication for both regions: full email address as username + client security password (not your webmail login password). Note that SMTP ports 25, 80, and 587 are not open on Alibaba Mail infrastructure, only port 465 SSL for SMTP.
Three Prerequisites Before Client Configuration
- Admin grants third-party client access. Domain administrator opens the Alibaba Mail admin console and enables “Set third-party client logon permissions” for the organization.
- Admin enables POP3 or IMAP per account. The administrator toggles POP3 or IMAP service permission on each user’s mailbox in the admin panel.
- User sets a client security password. Each user signs in to Alibaba Mail webmail, opens Settings, generates a distinct client security password separate from the login password, and uses that password in Outlook or Thunderbird.
Missing any of these three steps makes IMAP/POP3/SMTP authentication fail even with correct hostnames.
Alibaba Mail SMTP Settings
SMTP handles outbound mail. Use the region-appropriate hostname (smtp.aliyun.com for China, smtp.sg.aliyun.com for international) on port 465 SSL. Ports 25 and 587 are not open on Alibaba Mail infrastructure. Authentication uses your full email address plus your client security password.
Alibaba Mail IMAP Settings (Recommended)
Use imap.aliyun.com (China) or imap.sg.aliyun.com (Singapore) on port 993 SSL/TLS. Alibaba Mail’s own documentation recommends IMAP over POP3 for multi-device use.
Alibaba Mail POP3 Settings
Use pop3.aliyun.com (China) or pop.sg.aliyun.com (Singapore) on port 995 SSL/TLS. Only pick POP3 if you specifically need offline archival on one device.
IMAP, POP3 and SMTP Integration into Gmail
Configure Gmail with external IMAP/POP3/SMTP to send/receive emails from your custom domain through Gmail’s interface. Perfect for professionals managing multiple accounts in one place.
- Google Account β Security β App passwords (2-Step Verification must be enabled).
- Generate App Password for “Mail” β copy 16-character password.
- Gmail β Settings β See all settings β Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
- Enable IMAP β Save Changes.
- Incoming (IMAP):
[IMAP SERVER]:993 SSL| Outgoing (SMTP):[SMTP SERVER]:587 STARTTLS. - Use your full email + App Password (not regular password) for authentication.
Gmail Result: Send/receive custom domain email directly in Gmail interface with full search/folder integration.
WordPress SMTP Plugin Configuration (WP Mail SMTP + MailPoet)
Configure SMTP in WordPress to fix email delivery issues and prevent spam folder placement. WP Mail SMTP and MailPoet ensure reliable transactional emails, contact forms, and newsletters deliver successfully.
- Install and activate WP Mail SMTP or MailPoet plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to WP Mail SMTP β Settings or MailPoet β Settings β Sending tab.
- Select “Other SMTP” as your mailer method from the dropdown.
- Enter SMTP settings with Port
587and STARTTLS encryption (when available). - Input your full email address and password in the authentication fields.
- Click Save Settings and send a test email to verify the configuration works.
Result: WordPress contact forms, user registrations, and newsletter emails now deliver reliably via your SMTP server.
Thunderbird OAuth2 Email Setup (IMAP + SMTP)
Secure IMAP & SMTP using OAuth2 token authentication in Thunderbird. This modern method eliminates password storage for enhanced security.
- Open Thunderbird β Account Settings β Account Actions β Add Mail Account.
- Enter your email address and click Continue to begin setup.
- Select IMAP protocol and choose OAuth2 authentication method.
- Thunderbird opens a browser window β log in to your provider β Grant access permissions.
- Automatic configuration applies: Incoming: use the IMAP server address from the settings table above, port 993, SSL
- Click Done β Thunderbird begins syncing folders and emails immediately.
OAuth2 advantage: Token-based authentication enhances security over traditional password methods while maintaining full functionality.
Outlook IMAP, POP3 & SMTP Setup (Auto + Manual)
Outlook configuration supports both automatic server detection and manual IMAP/POP3/SMTP settings for complete control over your email setup.
π Auto Setup (Recommended):
- Go to File β Add Account β Enter your email address + password.
- Outlook automatically detects IMAP, POP3, and SMTP server settings.
- Click Connect β setup completes in approximately 30 seconds.
βοΈ Manual Setup (Advanced Users):
- Authentication: Use your full email address + password for both servers
BlueMail Two-Factor Authentication + OAuth2 Setup
BlueMail security setup combines OAuth2 authentication with two-factor authentication (2FA) for maximum account protection.
- Open BlueMail β Account Settings β Security β Enable Two-Factor Authentication.
- Link your phone number or authenticator app for 2FA verification codes.
- Add email account β Choose OAuth2 or manual server configuration.
- Enter server details from the table above
- Complete login with 2FA code β enhanced security layer activated.
Apple Mail IMAP Configuration (iCloud + Manual)
Setup IMAP in Apple Mail for seamless synchronization across Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices with full folder support.
- Open Apple Mail β Mail β Add Account β Other Mail Account.
- Enter your name, email address, and password β click Continue.
- Select IMAP account type β Incoming server.
- Next: Outgoing server
- Click Sign In β Mail verifies settings and begins folder synchronization.
iOS Mail App Setup (iPhone/iPad)
iPhone/iPad Mail configuration syncs IMAP folders across all Apple devices with native push notifications.
- Go to Settings β Mail β Accounts β Add Account β Other.
- Enter name, email, password β Next.
- Account Type: IMAP β Incoming:
[IMAP SERVER]Port993SSL. - Enter your outgoing SMTP server and port.
- Next β Save β iOS verifies and syncs immediately.
Push enabled automatically: new emails appear instantly on Lock Screen.
Android Mail App Configuration
Android Gmail/Email app setup works with any IMAP/SMTP provider for native device integration.
- Go to: Settings β Accounts β Add Account β Email (or Gmail app).
- Enter email + password β Next.
- Account Type: IMAP
- Outgoing server details β Require authentication.
- Next β Sign In β Android syncs contacts/calendar if enabled.
Sync interval: 15min default (battery optimized) – change in Account Sync settings.
eM Client Manual IMAP & POP3 Sync Configuration
Configure your email settings on eM Client with either automatic setup or through precise IMAP/POP3 server settings for reliable email synchronization and full folder support.
- Click New Account β Mail
Authentication requires full email address + password for both incoming and outgoing servers.Click Next β Finish β Send/Receive All Folders to begin synchronization.
Mailbird OAuth2 IMAP & SMTP Integration
Secure Mailbird setup using OAuth2 authentication eliminates password storage while providing full IMAP/SMTP functionality.
- Mailbird β Add Account β Enter your email address to begin.
- Choose Manual Setup β OAuth2 authentication method from options.
- Browser opens your provider’s login page β enter credentials β Authorize Mailbird.
- Mailbird receives access token and automatically configures IMAP/SMTP servers.
- Setup completes β full email synchronization begins automatically.
Mailspring OAuth2 IMAP Configuration
Mailspring OAuth2 setup provides secure email access without storing passwords directly in the application.
- Add new email account β Select Custom IMAP configuration option.
- Incoming
IMAP SERVERand outgoingSMTP SERVER. - Mailspring prompts OAuth2 authorization via browser window for secure login.
- Log into your provider account and grant Mailspring access permissions.
- Mailspring automatically manages authentication tokens β seamless email access established.
Postbox Manual IMAP Synchronization
Postbox IMAP setup with manual synchronization control for precise email folder management and immediate updates.
- Add IMAP account β Enter IMAP Server details.
- Outgoing SMTP with full email authentication.
- Postbox connects and displays folder structure automatically.
- Right-click any folder β Get Messages for immediate manual synchronization.
- Manual sync updates local mailbox instantly with server changes (read status, deletions, organization).
SendBlaster SMTP Configuration (Bulk Email)
Bulk email SMTP configuration in SendBlaster requires precise server authentication for reliable campaign delivery.
- Open SendBlaster β Settings β SMTP Configuration section.
- Enter SMTP Server and Port: do not forget to Enable TLS encryption.
- Authentication: Your full email address + password (required).
- Click Test Connection β verify green success indicator appears.
- Save settings β SendBlaster ready for bulk email campaigns and newsletters.
MailJerry IMAP Real-Time Synchronization
MailJerry IMAP setup enables real-time access to email folders stored on your provider’s server across all devices.
- Incoming Server and encryption required.
- Authentication: Full email address + password for secure connection.
- Enable real-time folder synchronization settings in MailJerry preferences.
- Folders update instantly with new messages, read status, and deletions across devices.
Clean.email OAuth2 Synchronization Setup
Clean.email OAuth2 setup provides secure mailbox access without sharing passwords directly with the application.
- Add new account β Select OAuth2 authorization method.
- Your provider opens login portal β enter credentials securely.
- Grant Clean.email permissions for email read/write access.
- OAuth2 token enables real-time message management, filtering, and organization.
- Setup complete β Clean.email maintains secure, ongoing mailbox synchronization.
Common IMAP/POP3/SMTP Troubleshooting
- Authentication failed: Always use your complete email address, never just the username portion.
- Port blocked by ISP: Try alternative SMTP port as fallback.
- SSL certificate errors: Ensure certificate validation is enabled in client settings.
- Slow or no IMAP sync: Check folder subscriptions and enable all folders in client settings.
More Popular Email Settings Guides
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| 163.com IMAP Server Settings | π¨π³ China | Regional |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Alibaba Mail account is on the China or Singapore site?
Sign in to Alibaba Mail webmail and check the URL in your browser address bar. If the domain is under aliyun.com, you are on the China site and should use imap.aliyun.com-style hostnames. If the domain is under alibaba.com or a Singapore-branded URL, you are on the international site and should use imap.sg.aliyun.com-style hostnames. Using the wrong region’s hostname will fail with connection errors even if credentials are correct.
Why does my main webmail login password not work in Outlook?
Because Alibaba Mail requires a separate client security password for third-party clients. Sign in to Alibaba Mail webmail, open Settings, and generate a client security password specifically for use in Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail. This password is distinct from your webmail login password and can be revoked independently. Use the client security password (not your login password) in the email client.
Why is port 587 not working for SMTP?
Because Alibaba Mail does not expose ports 25, 80, or 587 for SMTP. Only port 465 SSL is available for authenticated submission. Update your client’s outgoing server configuration to use port 465 with SSL/TLS explicitly (not STARTTLS), and the connection resolves normally. This is a firm infrastructure decision by Alibaba Mail rather than a per-account setting.
How do I reset my Alibaba Mail password?
Sign in to your Alibaba Cloud account or Alibaba Mail webmail and use the password reset flow in Settings. Note that the client security password (used in Outlook/Thunderbird) is separate from the webmail login password, so you need to reset each independently. The webmail login password reset goes through Alibaba Cloud account recovery.
How secure is Alibaba Mail in transit?
Alibaba Mail enforces SSL/TLS on all encrypted mail ports (993, 995, 465) for client-to-server transport. The client security password model isolates external client access from your main webmail account. Server-to-server transport follows standard SMTP with STARTTLS. China site infrastructure is subject to Chinese data protection law, Singapore site is subject to Singapore’s PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act). Users with cross-border privacy requirements should evaluate the jurisdiction implications carefully. For end-to-end message encryption use S/MIME or PGP client-side. Related: SMTP connection guide.
Other Asian and cloud email providers’ settings also include:
163.com Email Settings · QQ Mail Email Settings · Tencent Email Settings
About This Guide
The Alibaba Mail (Aliyun) email settings on this page were last verified on August 12, 2026 against Alibaba Cloud’s official Alibaba Mail help documentation at help.aliyun.com and independent user setup reports. Email server configurations rarely change once established. SMTPedia re-verifies these settings quarterly and after any announced changes from Alibaba Cloud. If you find a discrepancy between what is documented here and what Alibaba Mail currently requires, please report it so we can update the reference.
About the Author
Alaa Β· LinkedIn
Email infrastructure specialist with 8+ years of hands-on experience in SMTP, deliverability, and email verification. Iβve configured and troubleshot mail systems across Postfix, Exchange, and cloud relays, managed IP reputation and warmup campaigns, and built verification pipelines processing millions of addresses. My work spans DNS authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, BIMI), bounce handling, blocklist monitoring, and compliance frameworks including CAN-SPAM and GDPR. I write every article on SMTPedia to give email professionals, developers, and marketers the accurate, RFC-grounded reference they need.
About SMTPedia
SMTPedia is an independent email industry reference covering SMTP, IMAP, POP3, email deliverability, marketing platforms, DNS authentication, and email verification. Every article is researched from official provider documentation, IETF RFCs, and industry best practices. Settings and configurations are verified quarterly.
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