Skip to content

Set Up Apple Mail

Warning

There are several independent reports of unwanted configuration changes that cause emails to no longer be received or sent on Apple devices. The cause appears to be the device automatically enabling the "Automatically manage connection settings" option. This change incorrectly sets the SMTP port from 587 to 25 and disables password authentication.

If you suddenly cannot receive or send emails with your Apple device, please check these settings first.

Method 1: Manual Setup via IMAP/SMTP

Steps for iPhone, iPad, or macOS:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
  3. Select Other > Add Mail Account.

  4. Enter the following information:

  5. Name: Your display name

  6. Email: Your full email address
  7. Password: Your password

  8. Description: A freely chosen name for the account

  9. Select IMAP as the account type.

  10. Enter the following server information:

Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):

  • Hostname: hosted.mailcow.de
  • Username: Your full email address
  • Password: Your password or app password

Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):

  • Hostname: hosted.mailcow.de
  • Username: Your full email address

  • Password: Your password or app password

  • Tap Next.

  • After setup, verify under Account > SMTP > Primary Server that:
  • SSL is enabled
  • Authentication is set to Password
  • Port 587 is used

Method 2: Setup via Exchange ActiveSync

On iOS/iPadOS, Exchange ActiveSync is supported and can be used as an alternative to manual IMAP/SMTP configuration. This method offers push email (i.e., instant notification of new emails) but has functional limitations – for example, no more than three email addresses per contact in the address book are supported.

Steps to set up your account:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Navigate to Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
  3. Select Microsoft Exchange as the account type.
  4. Enter your email address and tap Next.
  5. Then select Configure Manually.
  6. Enter your password. If two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled, please still use the regular password (2FA is only for SOGo or the mailcow UI).
  7. Complete the setup by tapping Save.