The iCloud SMTP settings are: server smtp.mail.me.com, port 587, with SSL or STARTTLS. Your username is your full iCloud Mail address. The password is an app-specific password from your Apple Account, and you need two-factor authentication turned on to make one.
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP server | smtp.mail.me.com | Outgoing mail |
| Port and security | 587 with STARTTLS | Apple says SSL is required; try TLS or STARTTLS if SSL fails |
| Username | Your full iCloud Mail address | For example name@icloud.com |
| Password | App-specific password | Needs two-factor authentication |
| IMAP (incoming) | imap.mail.me.com, port 993, SSL | Username is often the part before @ |
| POP (incoming) | Not offered | iCloud Mail does not support POP |
You can test these iCloud SMTP settings in the free SMTP Tester before you set up your site. The host and port are already filled in. Without a password, it checks the connection and the security certificate. With your app-specific password, it can send one test message.
What do SMTP, IMAP, port 587 and STARTTLS mean?
SMTP is the part of email that sends messages. Your site or app gives the message to Apple's SMTP server, which delivers it. IMAP brings mail into your app and keeps it the same on all your devices. iCloud Mail does not offer POP, the older way that downloads mail to one device.
A port is a door number on the server. Port 587 starts as a plain connection. Then your app sends STARTTLS, a command that switches on TLS encryption. SSL and TLS are names for that lock, which hides your login and your message on the way.
What do you need before you start?
On an iPhone, iPad or Mac signed in to your Apple Account, you do not need these settings at all. Apple says Mail sets itself up there. You need them for other apps, a WordPress site or a script.
Other apps cannot use your Apple Account password. They need an app-specific password. This is a separate code for one app. Apple's steps are:
- Make sure two-factor authentication is on for your Apple Account.
- Sign in at account.apple.com.
- In Sign-In and Security, choose App-Specific Passwords.
- Choose to generate a password and follow the steps on screen.
- Paste the code into the app's password field.
Apple lets you keep up to 25 active app-specific passwords. If you change or reset your main Apple Account password, Apple cancels all of them. You then make new ones for each app.
How do you use iCloud SMTP settings in WordPress?
An SMTP plugin makes WordPress send mail through your iCloud mailbox instead of your web host. In WP Mail SMTP, choose "Other SMTP" and fill in:
- SMTP Host:
smtp.mail.me.com - Encryption: TLS (STARTTLS)
- SMTP Port: 587
- Authentication: on
- SMTP Username: your full iCloud Mail address
- SMTP Password: the app-specific password
- From Email: the same iCloud address
Save the settings and send a test email. FluentSMTP and Post SMTP use the same values. Note one detail: Apple wants the full address as the SMTP username. For IMAP, Apple says the username is usually only the part before the @ sign. If that fails, try the full address.
The steps are much like the Gmail SMTP settings, because both services use a special password for outside apps.
How do you add iCloud Mail to another email app?
Some apps, such as Outlook and Thunderbird, offer iCloud in their list. If yours asks for servers, use IMAP imap.mail.me.com on port 993 with SSL. Then add the SMTP values above. Use the same app-specific password for both the incoming and the outgoing server.
Does iCloud Mail limit how much you can send?
Yes. Apple's page on iCloud limits lists these numbers:
- 1,000 messages sent per day
- 1,000 recipients per day
- 500 recipients in one message
- 20 MB per message, or up to 5 GB with Mail Drop turned on
A contact form or a small shop stays well below these numbers. If you plan to send a newsletter, use a mailing service instead, so your personal mailbox does not get blocked for a day.
What do common iCloud SMTP errors mean?
- 535 authentication failed: Apple did not accept the login. Check that you used the app-specific password and the full address.
- SSL error: the app tried a security type the server did not expect. Apple says to try TLS or STARTTLS if SSL gives an error.
- 530 must issue a STARTTLS command first: encryption is off. Turn on TLS for port 587.
- Connection timed out: your host blocks port 587. Apple lists only this port, so ask your host to open it.
- Login stopped working: you may have changed your Apple Account password. That cancels all app-specific passwords, so make a new one.
Why do emails sent this way land in spam?
Mail servers check whether the sender may use the From address. Sending as your iCloud address through Apple's server usually passes. If your site sends as an address on your own domain, that domain needs SPF, DKIM and DMARC records. These DNS records list which servers may send for you.
Learn what an SPF record is, then use the free DNS & Email Checker to see which records your domain already has.
With an app-specific password ready, the iCloud SMTP settings take a minute to enter: one server, port 587 and TLS. Check the connection in the SMTP Tester first. To compare iCloud with other services, see the list of SMTP settings for other email providers.
Frequently asked questions
Does iCloud Mail support port 465?
Apple's settings page lists only port 587 for outgoing mail. Use 587 with TLS or STARTTLS. If your host blocks it, ask the host to open the port.
Can I use POP with iCloud Mail?
No. Apple says iCloud Mail uses IMAP and SMTP and does not support POP. Choose IMAP when an app asks which type of account to add.
Why did iCloud stop accepting my app-specific password?
Apple cancels all app-specific passwords when you change or reset your main Apple Account password. Make a new one at account.apple.com and paste it into each app.
