Outlook.com and Hotmail IMAP, POP and SMTP settings
The server names, ports and sign-in details you need to add Outlook.com and Hotmail to Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird or any other email app.
Quick answerIncoming (IMAP):
outlook.office365.com, port 993, SSL/TLS. Outgoing (SMTP): smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, STARTTLS.Outlook.com and Hotmail server settings
| Type | Server | Port | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMAP (incoming) | outlook.office365.com | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| POP (incoming) | outlook.office365.com | 995 | SSL/TLS |
| SMTP (outgoing) | smtp-mail.outlook.com | 587 | STARTTLS |
Username and password
Username: Your full address, such as [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].
Password: Microsoft requires modern sign-in (OAuth) for Outlook.com, so your app should open a "Sign in with Microsoft" window. Recent versions of Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and the Outlook and Gmail apps all do. Microsoft says an app password may still be needed for some apps and devices, such as smart devices.
Good to know
- These settings are for personal accounts: Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live and MSN. Work or school email uses the Microsoft 365 settings.
- POP and IMAP access for other apps may be off by default. Turn it on at Outlook.com: Settings › Mail › Forwarding and IMAP.
- The easiest option on a phone is the free Outlook app, which needs no server settings at all.
How to set it up in a mail app
- Open your mail app and choose to add an account. If it offers "Other", "Manual setup" or "Advanced", pick that.
- Choose IMAP (recommended) or POP.
- Enter the incoming and outgoing servers, ports and security from the table above.
- Use the username and password described below.
- Turn on "Outgoing server requires authentication" and use the same username and password.
If it doesn't work
- The app keeps asking for your password
- The app is trying an old password sign-in. Remove the account and add it again, choosing Outlook or Microsoft as the account type so you get the Microsoft sign-in window.
- "Sending failed" with port 465
- Outlook.com uses port 587 with STARTTLS for sending, not 465.
Getting a bounce with a code like 550 or 5.7.26 when you send? Look it up in the SMTP error code library.
More help: Outlook.com and Hotmail guides.
Questions people ask
- What is the Outlook.com IMAP server?
- outlook.office365.com, port 993, with SSL/TLS.
- What is the Hotmail SMTP server?
- smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, with STARTTLS. Hotmail addresses use the same servers as Outlook.com.
- Can I use an app password for Outlook.com?
- Use modern sign-in ("Sign in with Microsoft") when your app offers it. Microsoft says an app password may still be needed for some apps and devices that don't.
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