Quick answer
| Setting | Incoming (IMAP) | Outgoing (SMTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | outlook.office365.com | smtp-mail.outlook.com |
| Port | 993 | 587 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS | STARTTLS |
| Username | Your full Outlook or Hotmail address | |
| Password | “Sign in with Microsoft” (OAuth). Plain passwords are rejected | |
Microsoft lists only port 587 with STARTTLS for Outlook.com SMTP. Work or school accounts use different settings; see the Microsoft 365 guide.
Before you start
- In September 2024 Microsoft switched off password-based sign-in (“basic authentication”) for Outlook.com in third-party apps. Apps now have to use modern authentication, the “Sign in with Microsoft” screen.
- If an app only gives you a password field, it may no longer be able to connect to Outlook.com, even with the right password.
- The same servers work for @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com and @msn.com addresses.
How to connect Outlook.com with Microsoft sign-in
- In your email app, choose the Microsoft or Outlook sign-in option instead of manual setup.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account and complete two-step verification if it’s on.
- Review the permissions the app asks for (read and send email) and click Accept.
- The app receives a token and connects to the servers above. You never type a password into the app.
- To cut off an app later, remove it from the apps with access to your account in your Microsoft account’s privacy settings.
Common errors and how to fix them
- “Authentication failed” even though the password is right
- The app is using basic authentication, which Outlook.com no longer accepts. Use an app that supports Microsoft sign-in (OAuth).
- Sending fails on port 465
- Outlook.com SMTP expects port 587 with STARTTLS.
- Sign-in works but mail doesn’t sync
- Check you’re using outlook.office365.com for IMAP, not an old imap-mail.outlook.com value copied from a forum.
Use Outlook.com alongside your other accounts
MailsOnMine connects Outlook.com with Microsoft sign-in, so there’s no password to type and no server settings to copy. Your Outlook mail then sits in one unified inbox next to Gmail and your other IMAP accounts.
Try MailsOnMine freeFree plan: 1 connected account, no card required.
Frequently asked questions
Are Hotmail settings the same as Outlook.com?
Yes. Hotmail, Live and MSN addresses all run on Outlook.com and use the same IMAP and SMTP servers.
Can I still connect Outlook.com with an app password?
Microsoft’s guidance is to use apps that support modern authentication. Password-based connections are no longer reliable for Outlook.com, so pick an app with “Sign in with Microsoft”.
What’s the difference with Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 work and school accounts send through smtp.office365.com and are controlled by your organisation’s administrator, who can turn IMAP and SMTP on or off per mailbox.