iCloud Mail (Apple’s consumer email service) accepts standard IMAP and SMTP against imap.mail.me.com and smtp.mail.me.com for addresses at @icloud.com, @me.com, and @mac.com. Third-party mail clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, K-9 Mail, FairEmail, any client outside Apple’s Mail apps) require an app-specific password generated at appleid.apple.com because two-factor authentication is mandatory on modern Apple ID accounts. POP3 is not supported. iCloud+ subscribers can also route a custom domain (you@yourdomain.com) through iCloud Mail with the same server settings. This guide covers the exact ports, the app-password workflow, and the custom-domain setup that iCloud+ unlocks.
Setup gotcha
App password required2FA mandatory
Apple ID has enforced two-factor authentication on all consumer accounts since 2020, which means the regular Apple ID password does not authenticate third-party mail clients. Generate an app-specific password at appleid.apple.com under Sign-In and Security > App-Specific Passwords, and paste that value into the mail client’s password field. Each mail client gets a distinct app password, revocable individually. Apple’s own Mail apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac use the account password directly (via native Apple ID integration) and do not need an app password. Reference: SMTP authentication.
Quick reference: iCloud Mail server settings
Both protocols use SSL/TLS. Username is the full email address (you@icloud.com, you@me.com, or the custom-domain equivalent). Password is the app-specific password from appleid.apple.com, not the Apple ID password itself.
| Protocol | Server | Port | Encryption | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP | smtp.mail.me.com | 587 | STARTTLS | Full address + app password |
| IMAP | imap.mail.me.com | 993 | SSL/TLS | Full address + app password |
| POP3 | Not supported | N/A | N/A | Use IMAP instead |
iCloud Mail SMTP settings
iCloud SMTP uses smtp.mail.me.com on port 587 with STARTTLS. Note that unlike most modern providers, iCloud does not accept SMTP on port 465 with implicit SSL: port 587 with STARTTLS is the only supported combination. Authenticate with the full iCloud address (you@icloud.com) and the app-specific password.
Apple applies rate limits on outbound SMTP: bulk senders (thousands per day) will see soft blocks. For personal correspondence and low-volume sending, iCloud SMTP is reliable. Custom-domain sends (via iCloud+ Custom Email Domain) also go through smtp.mail.me.com with the same settings, and the From address takes on the custom domain automatically once DNS is configured.
iCloud Mail IMAP settings
iCloud IMAP uses imap.mail.me.com on port 993 with SSL/TLS. Same app-specific password as SMTP. IMAP syncs the standard Inbox, Drafts, Sent Messages, Junk, and Deleted Messages folders across every connected device (Apple’s Mail app iCloud integration uses IMAP under the hood, so folder behavior matches what iPhone Mail and Mac Mail already show).
Storage is shared across the entire iCloud account (mail plus Photos, Drive, backups, and other services). The free 5 GB fills quickly; iCloud+ tiers add 50 GB ($0.99/mo), 200 GB ($2.99/mo), 2 TB ($9.99/mo), 6 TB ($29.99/mo), or 12 TB ($59.99/mo). Users planning to keep a large mail archive should factor this shared quota into the plan choice.
POP3 is not supported
Apple does not offer POP3 access for iCloud Mail. There is no pop.mail.me.com hostname or port. Users migrating from a POP3-only mail client must switch to IMAP, which every modern client supports.
Custom domain via iCloud+
iCloud+ subscribers can route a custom domain through iCloud Mail using the Custom Email Domain feature. Setup: in iCloud settings on the web at icloud.com/settings, add the domain, then configure Apple’s DNS records at the registrar (MX to iCloud, SPF include, DKIM key, DMARC record). Once DNS validates, mail sent to you@yourdomain.com lands in the same iCloud inbox as @icloud.com mail, and outbound SMTP through smtp.mail.me.com automatically uses the custom domain in the From header.
Up to five custom domains per iCloud+ account, with up to three additional email addresses per domain. Custom domains work with Hide My Email (the iCloud+ burner alias feature), so the same account can send from both the custom domain and randomly-generated forwarding aliases as needed.
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.
β 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.
β Result: WordPress contact forms, user registrations, and newsletter emails now deliver reliably via your SMTP server.
This configuration includes these plugins and tools within WordPress:
- HappyForms
- Elementor Forms
- Gravity Form
- WooCommerce Checkout Form
- Contact Form by BestWebSoft
- Fluent Forms
- Contact Form 7
- WPForms
- Ninja Forms
- Default WordPress Reg Form
- Forminator Forms
- Formidable Form
- WordPress Comment Form
- Mail Mint Form
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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Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I use my Apple ID password for iCloud Mail in Thunderbird?
Two-factor authentication has been mandatory on Apple ID accounts since 2020. Third-party mail clients cannot handle Apple’s 2FA challenge flow, so Apple requires an app-specific password generated at appleid.apple.com > Sign-In and Security > App-Specific Passwords. Paste that value in the client’s password field. The regular Apple ID password will fail with an authentication error.
Does iCloud Mail support POP3?
No. Apple offers only IMAP and SMTP for iCloud Mail. Users coming from a POP3-only setup must switch their client to IMAP mode, which every modern mail client supports.
How do I set up a custom domain on iCloud+?
Sign in at icloud.com/settings, open Custom Email Domain, add your domain, and configure Apple’s MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records at your domain registrar. Verification usually completes within 30 minutes of DNS propagation. Up to five custom domains per iCloud+ account.
What is Hide My Email?
Hide My Email is an iCloud+ feature that generates random burner email addresses (like abc123xyz@icloud.com) which forward to your real iCloud inbox. Useful for signups where you don’t want to expose your primary address. Works alongside custom-domain email on the same account.
What are the port and encryption exactly?
SMTP: smtp.mail.me.com port 587 with STARTTLS. IMAP: imap.mail.me.com port 993 with SSL/TLS. Note that iCloud does not offer SMTP on port 465 with implicit SSL: only port 587 with STARTTLS is supported for outbound.
Where is iCloud Mail webmail?
At icloud.com/mail. Sign in with the Apple ID and 2FA. Webmail is the same interface used in Apple’s Mail app iCloud integration.
About this guide
These iCloud Mail server settings were verified against Apple’s official support documentation at support.apple.com in July 2026. Hostnames have been consistent since 2011 when the me.com and mac.com aliases were consolidated into @icloud.com. The mandatory 2FA and app-specific password requirement dates from 2020. SMTPedia re-verifies each provider quarterly.
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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