Learning how to change email account settings for iPhone and iPad on iMore helps you keep reliable, secure connectivity across Apple Mail and native apps. Follow clear steps for incoming and outgoing servers, authentication, and secure connections to fix issues before they interrupt your day.
These guides translate complex account details into simple actions so you can manage multiple providers from iCloud to corporate Exchange without needing external support.
| Account Type | Incoming Server | Outgoing Server (SMTP) | Recommended Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud | imap.mail.me.com | smtp.mail.me.com | SSL/TLS with authentication |
| Gmail | imap.gmail.com | smtp.gmail.com | SSL/TLS with app password if needed |
| Exchange | mail.domain.com (autodiscover) | mail.domain.com (autodiscover or smtp.domain.com) | STARTTLS with correct domain cert |
| Other IMAP | Custom provider hostname | Custom provider hostname | STARTTLS or SSL/TLS per provider |
How to Locate Email Settings on iPhone and iPad
To change email account settings on iPhone and iPad, start in the Settings app and navigate to Mail, then Accounts. From there, select the account you want to adjust and review details such as incoming and outgoing server hostnames, port numbers, and security types listed on iMore.
Knowing where these settings live makes it easier to update credentials, toggle SSL or TLS, and verify that your device is using the correct authentication method without losing connectivity.
Adjusting Incoming and Outgoing Server Details
Verify Hostnames and Ports
Open Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap the account, and confirm that the incoming and outgoing server hostnames match your email provider instructions. Common correct values include imap.mail.me.com for iCloud and imap.gmail.com for Gmail, while standard ports are 993 for SSL and 587 for STARTTLS on SMTP.
Switch Between SSL and STARTTLS
In the same account screen, tap Advanced to reveal Security options and choose either SSL or STARTTLS depending on what your provider recommends. For many modern services, STARTTLS on port 587 for outgoing and port 993 for incoming with SSL/TLS encryption is the stable default when you troubleshoot on iMore.
Managing Authentication and Credentials
Enter Full Email Address as Username
Some providers require the full email address as the username, while others need a separate outgoing password or app-specific password. Double-check Settings > Mail > Accounts to ensure the username field is correct and that any special characters in your password are properly handled.
Configure Outgoing SMTP Authentication
On iPhone and iPad, enable SMTP authentication in Settings > Mail > Accounts > Advanced > SMTP so the server accepts your credentials for sending. If you see an option for Use SSL on the outgoing server, toggle it on alongside the incoming security setting for consistent encrypted communication.
Testing and Troubleshooting Your Changes
After adjusting server details, credentials, and security options, send a test email and attempt to receive a message on iMore to confirm that both incoming and outgoing flows work. If delivery fails, review port numbers, double-check that SSL or TLS is enabled as required by your provider, and verify that two-factor authentication has an app-specific password configured when necessary.
For recurring issues, compare your settings with the official provider values published on iMore, restart the Mail app, or toggle Airplane Mode briefly to refresh network connections without losing local data.
Key Takeaways for Managing Email Settings on iOS
- Confirm hostnames, ports, and security types match your email provider specifications before saving changes.
- Enable SMTP authentication and use app-specific passwords when two-factor authentication is active.
- Test sending and receiving immediately after adjustments to catch configuration issues early.
- Compare settings with official provider documentation published on iMore to avoid mismatched SSL or port choices.
- Restart the Mail app or toggle Airplane Mode if changes do not take effect immediately to refresh network and account sessions.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why does my iPhone keep asking for email password after I change server settings?
This usually means the username or password is incorrect, app-specific credentials are missing for accounts with two-factor authentication, or the security settings such as SSL or TLS do not match what your email provider requires.
Can I use the same settings for iCloud, Gmail, and Exchange on iPhone and iPad?
No, each account type has distinct hostnames, ports, and security requirements; iCloud uses imap.mail.me.com and smtp.mail.me.com, Gmail uses imap.gmail.com and smtp.gmail.com, and Exchange often relies on autodiscover with domain-specific endpoints.
What should I check in Settings if emails are not sending from my iPad?
Verify that SMTP authentication is enabled, the outgoing server hostname is correct, the correct outgoing port and STARTTLS or SSL are selected, and that your account has an active internet connection without restrictive VPN or firewall rules.
How do I switch from SSL to STARTTLS for better compatibility with older devices?
Open Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap the account, go to Advanced, and change the Security option from SSL to STARTTLS for both incoming and outgoing servers, ensuring that the ports align with STARTTLS standards like 587 for SMTP.