How to Configure Email in Outlook, Gmail, or Apple Mail

Introduction

Once you've created an email account in cPanel, you'll want to access it through your preferred email client. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for configuring email in the most popular email applications.

Before You Begin

You'll need the following information (available in cPanel > Email Accounts > Connect Devices):

• Email Address: your-email@yourdomain.com
• Password: Your email account password
• Incoming Server: mail.yourdomain.com (or server hostname from welcome email)
• Outgoing Server: mail.yourdomain.com
• IMAP Port: 993 (SSL) or 143
• POP3 Port: 995 (SSL) or 110
• SMTP Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)

Microsoft Outlook (Desktop)

Outlook 2016/2019/365

1. Open Outlook and go to File > Add Account
2. Enter your email address and click Connect
3. If automatic setup fails, click Change account settings
4. Select IMAP as account type
5. Enter your settings:
   • Incoming mail server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Incoming port: 993
   • Incoming encryption: SSL/TLS
   • Outgoing mail server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Outgoing port: 465 or 587
   • Outgoing encryption: SSL/TLS
6. Enter your full email address as username
7. Enter your password
8. Click Next and then Done

Manual Configuration (Older Outlook Versions)

1. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings
2. Click New
3. Select Manual setup or additional server types
4. Choose POP or IMAP
5. Fill in all server information as listed above
6. Click More Settings
   • Outgoing Server tab: Check "My outgoing server requires authentication"
   • Advanced tab: Set ports and encryption methods
7. Click OK, then Test Account Settings
8. Click Finish when successful

Gmail (Using Gmail App to Check Your Domain Email)

Add Account to Gmail Webmail

1. Open Gmail and click the gear icon > See all settings
2. Go to Accounts and Import tab
3. Under "Check mail from other accounts", click Add a mail account
4. Enter your email address and click Next
5. Select Import emails from my other account (POP3)
6. Enter server information:
   • Username: your-email@yourdomain.com (full address)
   • Password: Your email password
   • POP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Port: 995
   • Check "Always use a secure connection (SSL)"
7. Click Add Account
8. Choose whether to send email as this address (recommended)
9. If yes, configure SMTP:
   • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Port: 465 or 587
   • Username: your-email@yourdomain.com
   • Password: Your email password
   • Select TLS or SSL
10. Click Add Account
11. Verify your email address using the code sent to your inbox

Gmail Mobile App (Android/iOS)

1. Open Gmail app
2. Tap the menu icon (☰) > Settings
3. Tap Add account
4. Select Other
5. Enter your email address
6. Choose Personal (IMAP) or Personal (POP3) - IMAP recommended
7. Enter your password
8. Configure incoming server:
   • Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Port: 993 (IMAP SSL) or 995 (POP3 SSL)
   • Security type: SSL/TLS
9. Configure outgoing server:
   • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Port: 465 or 587
   • Security type: SSL/TLS
   • Check "Require sign-in"
10. Complete setup and configure sync options

Apple Mail (macOS)

macOS Mail App

1. Open Mail application
2. Go to Mail > Add Account (or Mail > Preferences > Accounts > +)
3. Select Other Mail Account and click Continue
4. Enter your information:
   • Name: Your name (will appear in sent emails)
   • Email Address: your-email@yourdomain.com
   • Password: Your email password
5. Click Sign In
6. If automatic setup fails, enter server details manually:
   • Account Type: IMAP
   • Incoming Mail Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Outgoing Mail Server: mail.yourdomain.com
7. Click Sign In
8. Choose which apps to use with this account (Mail, Notes, etc.)
9. Click Done

Advanced Settings (if needed)

1. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts
2. Select your account
3. Click Advanced tab:
   • Set IMAP Path Prefix to INBOX (if folders don't sync)
   • Set port to 993
   • Use SSL: Yes
4. Click Server Settings:
   • Outgoing port: 465 or 587
   • Use TLS/SSL: Yes

Apple Mail (iOS - iPhone/iPad)

iOS Mail Setup

1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account
2. Tap Other
3. Tap Add Mail Account
4. Enter your information:
   • Name: Your name
   • Email: your-email@yourdomain.com
   • Password: Your password
   • Description: Account name (e.g., "Work Email")
5. Tap Next
6. Select IMAP at the top
7. Configure Incoming Mail Server:
   • Host Name: mail.yourdomain.com
   • User Name: your-email@yourdomain.com
   • Password: Your password
8. Configure Outgoing Mail Server:
   • Host Name: mail.yourdomain.com
   • User Name: your-email@yourdomain.com
   • Password: Your password
9. Tap Next
10. Choose what to sync (Mail, Notes, etc.)
11. Tap Save

Thunderbird (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Mozilla Thunderbird Setup

1. Open Thunderbird
2. Click Tools > Account Settings (or hamburger menu > Account Settings)
3. Click Account Actions > Add Mail Account
4. Enter your name, email address, and password
5. Click Continue
6. Thunderbird will try auto-detection, click Manual config if it fails
7. Enter server settings:
   • Incoming: IMAP
     • Server: mail.yourdomain.com
     • Port: 993
     • SSL: SSL/TLS
     • Authentication: Normal password
   • Outgoing: SMTP
     • Server: mail.yourdomain.com
     • Port: 465 or 587
     • SSL: SSL/TLS
     • Authentication: Normal password
   • Username: your-email@yourdomain.com (for both)
8. Click Re-test to verify settings
9. Click Done

IMAP vs POP3: Which to Choose?

IMAP (Recommended)

Pros:

• Emails stay on server
• Access from multiple devices with sync
• Folders and organization sync across devices
• Better for modern multi-device usage

Cons:

• Uses server storage space
• Requires internet connection to view emails

POP3

Pros:

• Downloads emails to local device
• Doesn't use server storage (if set to delete from server)
• Can access emails offline

Cons:

• Emails only on one device (unless configured otherwise)
• No folder synchronization
• Can lose emails if device fails (without backups)

Recommendation: Use IMAP for better flexibility and multi-device access.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cannot Connect / Authentication Failed

• Verify email address and password are correct
• Ensure you're using the FULL email address as username
• Check server hostname (mail.yourdomain.com)
• Verify ports and SSL settings
• Try alternate SMTP ports (465, 587, or 25)

Can Receive But Cannot Send

• Ensure SMTP authentication is enabled
• Check "My outgoing server requires authentication"
• Verify outgoing server username/password match incoming
• Try different SMTP port (465 or 587)
• Contact your ISP - some block port 25

Emails Not Syncing Across Devices

• Ensure you're using IMAP (not POP3)
• Check that IMAP folders are subscribed to
• Verify all devices use the same server settings
• Force a manual sync/refresh

SSL Certificate Warnings

• Accept the certificate if it's for your hosting provider
• Or use the direct server hostname from your welcome email
• Contact support if warnings persist

Best Practices

• Always use SSL/TLS encryption for security
• Use IMAP for accessing email on multiple devices
• Set up email on all devices you use regularly
• Keep your email client software updated
• Configure sent mail to be saved on the server (IMAP)
• Regularly empty trash and spam folders

Need Additional Help?

If you're still experiencing issues after following this guide, please contact our support team with:

• Email client name and version
• Exact error messages received
• Screenshots of your configuration (hide your password)