You can set up email on a wide variety of Internet-capable mobile phones and tablets using POP or IMAP. However, since most mobile phones and devices support Exchange ActiveSync, we recommend that you connect to your account using Exchange ActiveSync (also known as connecting through an Exchange account). When you connect to your account using Exchange ActiveSync, you can use email, calendar, contacts, and other collaboration features that are available with your account. If you connect using POP or IMAP, you can only use email features.

Set up POP or IMAP email on an Internet-capable phone

Start the email program on your phone and choose the option to add an account. If you need help finding the email app, use the documentation that was included with your phone or tablet.

Use the following information to help you set up your email if you use Microsoft 365. If you’re not using Microsoft 365, see Find your server settings later in this article.

  • Email address: This is your full email address (for example, tony@contoso.com).

    Email address: This is your full email address (for example, tony@contoso.cn).

  • User name: Your user name is your full email address (for example, tony@contoso.com).

    User name: Your user name is your full email address (for example, tony@contoso.cn).

  • Password: This is the password for your email account.

  • Server settings: These are your incoming and outgoing server settings. Choose either POP3 or IMAP4.

    Incoming server settings:

    POP3 Server name: outlook.office365.com

    POP3 Server name: partner.outlook.cn

    IMAP4 Server name: outlook.office365.com

    IMAP4 Server name: partner.outlook.cn

    Port: 995

    Encryption: SSL

    Outgoing server settings:

    SMTP Server name: smtp.office365.com

    SMTP Server name: smtp.office365.cn

    Port: 587

    Encryption: TLS

  • Authentication settings: If the program allows you to set up advanced settings use the following settings.

    • Select the outgoing server requires authentication option.

    • Select the setting that lets you use the same user name and password for sending email option.

    • Don't select the setting for Secure Password Authentication.

Find your server settings

If you’re connecting to an Exchange mailbox and not using Microsoft 365 email, or if you aren't sure if you're using Microsoft 365 email, do the following to look up your settings.

  1. Sign in to your account using Outlook Web App.

  2. In Outlook Web App, on the toolbar, select Settings Settings icon > Mail > POP and IMAP.

  3. The POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP server name and other settings you may need to enter are listed on the Settings for POP and IMAP Access page under POP setting, IMAP setting   , and SMTP setting.

What else do I need to know?

  • If you see Not available under POP setting, IMAP setting   , and SMTP setting, you may need to contact the person that manages you email account to determine your Exchange ActiveSync Server name.

  • Setting up an email account on your mobile phone requires that you have a data plan with your mobile phone carrier.

  • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are methods to help secure communications between your computer and the email server. Some email programs refer to SSL or TLS as "encryption." In most email programs, you need to open an "Advanced" setting or tab to set SSL for POP and IMAP connections and TLS for SMTP connections.

  • Your email program may automatically try to use port 110 if you're using POP or port 143 if you're using IMAP. If your email program shows port 110 or 143, be sure to select SSL encryption. Then, enter a port number of 995 to replace the default port number (110) if you're using POP or a port number of 993 to replace the default port number (143) if you're using IMAP.

  • Your email program may automatically try to use server port 25 for SMTP. If your email program shows port 25 for SMTP, be sure to select TLS encryption. Then, enter 587 to replace the default port number (25).

  • If your email account is the type that requires registration, you must register it the first time you sign in to Outlook Web App. Connecting to your e-mail account through a mobile phone will fail if you haven't registered your account through Outlook Web App. After you sign in to your account, sign out. Then try to connect using your mobile phone.

  • If you connect to your account using a POP or IMAP connection, you will only be able to use and synchronize your email by using a wireless connection. If you can connect using an Exchange ActiveSync account, you can synchronize email, contacts, and calendar.

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