iPhone and iPad support IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), which keeps your emails stored on the mail server and syncs them across all your devices. This means that reading or deleting a message on your phone is reflected on your desktop email client as well.
This guide walks through the setup process step by step.
Before you start
You will need the following information from your hosting provider or IT administrator:
- Your full email address (for example, you@yourdomain.com.au)
- Your email password (your webmail password, not your Apple ID)
- Your incoming mail server hostname
- Your outgoing mail server hostname (this is often the same as the incoming)
- Whether SSL is required for incoming and outgoing connections
If you are not sure where to find these details, check your hosting control panel or the welcome email from your provider.
Step-by-step setup on iPhone
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Mail.
Step 3: Tap Accounts, then tap Add Account.
Step 4: Tap Other (not Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook).
Step 5: Tap Add Mail Account.
Step 6: Fill in the account details:
- Name: Your name as it should appear on outgoing emails
- Email: Your full email address
- Password: Your email account password
- Description: A label for this account (for example, "Work" or your domain name)
Tap Next.
Step 7: Make sure IMAP is selected at the top of the screen (not POP).
Step 8: Under Incoming Mail Server, enter:
- Host Name: Your incoming mail server hostname
- User Name: Your full email address
- Password: Your email account password
Step 9: Under Outgoing Mail Server, enter the same hostname, username, and password.
Step 10: Tap Next. Your iPhone will attempt to verify the account with the mail server. This may take up to 30 seconds.
Step 11: If prompted to allow the server identity, review the certificate details and tap Continue if you trust the server.
Step 12: On the final screen, select which data you want to sync (Mail is the minimum required). Tap Save.
Your account will now appear under Settings > Mail > Accounts, and your inbox will begin populating in the Mail app.
Troubleshooting
"Cannot verify server identity": The SSL certificate on the mail server does not match the hostname you entered, or the certificate is expired. Contact your hosting provider to confirm the correct hostname and SSL status.
Emails not sending: Your outgoing server may require authentication. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > [Your Account] > Account > Outgoing Mail Server and confirm the username and password are entered correctly.
Email not syncing: Check that your iPhone has an active internet connection, and that the account is set to push or fetch on a regular schedule under Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.