Airmail SMTP Settings
Anant Gupta
CONTENTS
Airmail SMTP Settings
Getting started with Airmail is simple, fast, and flexible if you’re using a personal mailbox or a custom domain.
In just a few steps, you can connect your account on macOS or iOS and start sending and receiving right away. Airmail supports all major providers (Gmail, Microsoft 365/Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo) as well as IMAP/POP3 for bespoke setups, and it can automatically detect most settings so you don’t have to hunt for server details.
Along the way, you’ll confirm your name, email address, and password (or an app-specific password if your provider uses two‑factor authentication).
Once added, your mailbox syncs quickly, and you can customize notifications, signatures, and rules to match your workflow.
Use the guided flow below to add your account.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through adding your account, share the essential settings for reliable sending, and offer practical tips to keep your email running smoothly from day one.
What is Airmail?
Airmail is a fast, customizable email client for Apple devices like macOS, iPhone, and iPad. It lets you connect and manage multiple email accounts (Gmail, Outlook/Office 365, iCloud, Yahoo, IMAP/POP), offering features like:
- Unified and per-account inboxes
- Powerful search and filters
- Customizable swipe actions and keyboard shortcuts
- Integrations with apps like Calendar, Reminders, Todoist, Trello, and Slack
- Snooze, send later, templates, and rules/automation
- Privacy controls (blocking tracking pixels, local-only notifications)
- Support for iCloud+, Gmail, and custom SMTP/IMAP settings
Airmail is available as a free download with optional Airmail Pro/Airmail Premium subscriptions that unlock advanced features and cross-platform sync. It focuses on speed, clean design, and deep customization for users who want more control than Apple Mail provides.
What is Airmail SMTP?
Airmail SMTP refers to how the Airmail app sends email using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). Airmail itself isn’t an email service—it’s a client—so it relies on your mail provider’s SMTP server (e.g., Gmail, Outlook/Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo, or your own domain’s server) to deliver messages you compose in Airmail.
Key points:
- Purpose: SMTP handles outbound mail. In Airmail, your incoming mail uses IMAP/POP, while SMTP is used only to send.
- Per‑account settings: Each account in Airmail has its own SMTP configuration tied to that provider.
- Authentication and security: Airmail authenticates to your provider’s SMTP with a username/password or an app‑specific password/token, using TLS/SSL encryption.
- Typical ports:
- 587 with STARTTLS (recommended)
- 465 with implicit SSL/TLS (common alternative)
- Provider specifics:
- Gmail/Google Workspace: SMTP server smtp.gmail.com; often requires an app password if 2‑step verification is on.
- Microsoft 365/Outlook.com: smtp.office365.com, modern auth supported; port 587 STARTTLS.
- iCloud Mail: smtp.mail.me.com, app‑specific password required.
- Yahoo/AOL: smtp.mail.yahoo.com, usually needs an app password with MFA.
- Custom domain/hosted mail: Use the SMTP hostname from your provider (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com).
Core SMTP settings (use these fields per account in Airmail)
- SMTP server (host): From your provider (examples below)
- Username: Usually your full email address
- Password: Your account password or an app-specific password if MFA is on
- Authentication: Required (Password/Token/OAuth when supported)
- Encryption: TLS/SSL required
- Port:
- 587 with STARTTLS (recommended)
- 465 with SSL/TLS (common alternative)
- From/Sender: Match the authenticated user or a verified alias with your provider
- Require authentication to send: On
Provider quick reference
- Gmail / Google Workspace
- Server: smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL/TLS)
- Auth: OAuth or app password (required if 2‑Step Verification)
- Username: your full Gmail/Workspace address
- Notes: If using aliases, add/verify them in Gmail settings > Accounts > “Send mail as”
- Microsoft 365 / Outlook.com
- Server: smtp.office365.com
- Port: 587 (STARTTLS)
- Auth: Modern auth/OAuth or username + password (per tenant policy)
- Username: your full Microsoft 365 email
- Notes: Basic auth may be disabled; prefer OAuth within Airmail if available
- iCloud Mail
- Server: smtp.mail.me.com
- Port: 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL/TLS)
- Auth: App-specific password required (create in appleid.apple.com > Sign-In & Security)
- Username: your iCloud email (including @icloud.com/@me.com/@mac.com)
- Yahoo / AOL
- Server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com (AOL: smtp.aol.com)
- Port: 587 or 465
- Auth: App-specific password when MFA is enabled
- Username: full email address
- Custom domain / hosting (e.g., cPanel, Fastmail, Proton, Namecheap)
- Use the SMTP hostname your provider gives (often mail.yourdomain.com or smtp.provider.com)
- Match their required port/encryption (usually 587 STARTTLS)
- Ensure your mailbox/alias is permitted to send via that server
Deliverability and security checklist
- DNS: Set SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your sending domain
- TLS: Prefer port 587 with STARTTLS; avoid unencrypted ports 25/2525 for client sending
- MFA: If enabled, generate app-specific passwords where required (Google, iCloud, Yahoo)
- Aliases: Verify/authorize “send as” addresses with your provider before using them in Airmail
- Rate limits: Stay within your provider’s per-day/per-hour send limits to avoid throttling
- Certificates: If you see a certificate warning, confirm the SMTP host exactly matches the server’s certificate CN/SAN
Where to configure in Airmail
- macOS: Airmail > Preferences > Accounts > select account > Outgoing (SMTP) settings
- iOS/iPadOS: Airmail > Accounts > select account > Outgoing Server
Quick test procedure
- Send a plain-text email to a different domain (e.g., Gmail → Outlook) with a short subject/body
- Check Sent folder sync and that the message appears in the recipient’s Inbox (not spam)
- If it lands in spam: verify SPF/DKIM/DMARC, lower links/images, and warm the domain gradually
Adding an email account to Airmail
Getting set up is quick. Follow these steps:
- Open Airmail on your Mac or iPhone/iPad.
- Go to Settings > Add Account. If it’s your first time, the add-account window may pop up automatically.
- Pick your email provider, or select Generic IMAP/POP3 for custom mail hosts.
- Enter your basic details: name, full email address, and password.
- Let Airmail auto-detect the server settings for common providers.
- If auto-detect doesn’t work, switch to manual setup and enter the specific incoming/outgoing server details.
