AOL Mail SMTP Settings
Anant Gupta
Struggling to get your AOL Mail working with your favorite email client?
Even tech-savvy users often run into issues with confusing AOL SMTP settings or unexplained errors during setup.
Don’t worry.
If you’re tired of guessing which settings to use or why your emails aren’t sending, this guide breaks it all down:
- Understand exactly which AOL Mail SMTP settings you need
- Fix common setup problems quickly
- Ensure smooth, reliable email delivery
Let’s dive in and get your AOL Mail up and running, the right way.
What is AOL SMTP?
AOL SMTP is basically the setting you need if you want to send emails from your AOL Mail account using an email app or client (like Outlook, Apple Mail, or even your phone’s mail app).
So, when you set up your AOL email on another device or app, you’ll need to enter the AOL SMTP details, like the server address and port number, to make sure your messages can actually be sent.
In a nutshell: AOL SMTP is what lets your AOL emails get out into the world when you’re not using AOL’s own website!
Here are the AOL SMTP email settings you’ll need to set up your outgoing mail server:
- SMTP Server Address: smtp.aol.com
- SMTP Port: 465 (with SSL) or 587 (with TLS)
- Encryption: SSL/TLS (recommended)
- Requires Authentication: Yes
- Username: Your full AOL email address (e.g., yourname@aol.com)
- Password: Your AOL email password or app-specific password (if you use two-factor authentication)
Just plug these details into your email app’s outgoing mail (SMTP) settings and you should be good to go!
If you’re using two-factor authentication, don’t forget to generate an app password for the setup
Why use AOL as your SMTP server?
Here are the reasons to use AOL as your SMTP server:
- Trusted and Reliable Delivery. AOL’s servers have been around for a long time. They’re less likely to land your emails in the spam folder, which is always a relief.
- Simple Integration. If you already use an AOL email address, using their SMTP server is the easiest way to keep things streamlined. No need to juggle multiple accounts or extra logins.
- Works Across Devices. Want to check email on your phone, tablet, or laptop? AOL’s SMTP settings make it easy to send mail from any device or app. Setup is usually quick—just a few fields to fill in.
- Strong Security. AOL supports SSL and TLS encryption. That means your emails and login details are protected while being sent. Security is built in, so you don’t have to overthink it.
- Consistent Support. AOL has customer support and plenty of online resources. You’ll find answers if you need them.
- No Extra Cost. The SMTP service is included with your AOL email. There’s no extra fee or sign-up required.
In short: AOL is secure, easy to use, and dependable. If you’re already using an AOL account, their SMTP server just makes sense.
What is AOL POP3 Settings?
AOL POP3 settings are what you need if you want to download your AOL emails to an email client or app (like Outlook or Thunderbird) using the POP3 protocol.
POP3 stands for “Post Office Protocol 3,” and it’s a way for your email app to fetch messages from AOL’s servers and store them on your device.
Here are the AOL POP3 settings you’ll need:
- POP3 Server: pop.aol.com
- Port: 995
- Encryption: SSL (required)
- Username: Your full AOL email address (for example, yourname@aol.com)
- Password: Your AOL password (or app password if you use two-factor authentication)
With these settings, your email client can download your messages from AOL.
Just remember—by default, POP3 usually downloads emails to your device and then removes them from the server, so you might not see those messages if you check your mail somewhere else.
If you want your emails to stay in sync across multiple devices, you might prefer IMAP instead!
Configure AOL SMTP server settings: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how you can do it:
- Log in to your AOL email account.
- Hover over your profile icon in the top right corner and click Account Info
- Go to the Security section and scroll until you find 2-Step Verification on the left.
- Select your preferred 2-step verification method (such as phone number, authenticator app, or security key) and add it.
- On the right, click Generate app password.
- Use this app password to sign in to different email clients or apps with your AOL Mail account
Important: You won’t be able to view the AOL Mail app password again after generating it. Make sure to store it somewhere safe, but choose whatever secure method you prefer.
Gmail
To send emails from Gmail using your AOL email address, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Gmail account.
- Click the gear icon in the top right and select See all settings.
- Open the Accounts and Import tab. Under the ‘Send mail as’ section, click Add another email address—a new window will pop up.
- Fill in your name and AOL email address in the provided fields. Make sure to uncheck the option that treats your AOL address as an alias for Gmail.
- Enter the AOL SMTP settings when prompted and click Add Account.
Tip: Use your app-specific password here if you have two-factor authentication enabled. - After adding the account, check your inbox for a verification code. Follow the instructions to enter this code and complete the process.
Once verified, you’ll be able to send emails from Gmail using your AOL address!
Thunderbird
Setting this up in Thunderbird is just as easy—maybe even easier. Here’s how:
- Launch Thunderbird.
- Go to Account Actions and select Add Mail Account.
- Type in your AOL email address along with your app-specific password.
That’s all there is to it! Thunderbird will now use AOL’s SMTP server to send emails from your AOL account.
Microsoft Outlook
Here’s how to configure Outlook to access your AOL Mail using IMAP:
- Open Microsoft Outlook and go to Settings > Accounts.
- In the bottom left, click Add Account.
- Enter your complete AOL email address.
- Provide your AOL IMAP login details, including your app-specific password.
- For more customization, click Show Advanced Settings to add your AOL SMTP settings as well.
Once you’ve entered everything, hit Add Account. Outlook will then be set up to send and receive emails with your AOL Mail account using IMAP and SMTP!
Customizing Your AOL Mail Settings
AOL Mail offers a range of customizable settings, letting you make your mailbox more efficient and tailored to your needs. It’s all possible within AOL’s settings.
To get started:
First, sign in to your AOL Mail account.
Personalizing Your Inbox
Head over to the ‘Settings’ menu and select ‘More settings’ to truly make your inbox your own.
You can choose between different themes—light, medium, or dark—adjust the layout of your messages, and even fine-tune inbox spacing for better readability.
Want the latest news and tips? Just check the ‘Today on AOL’ box.
Managing Contacts
On the right side of your mailbox, click the first icon to access your contacts. Here, you can easily add, edit, or remove contacts to keep your address book up to date.
Creating Events
Stay organized by clicking the second icon on the right—this opens your calendar. Simply hit ‘Create Event’ and add all the details for your upcoming appointments.
Mailbox Management
Need to send emails from another address? Go to ‘Mailboxes,’ click ‘Add,’ and enter the new email address. If you want to remove a send-only address, just click on it and select ‘Remove send-only email address.’
Writing and Formatting Emails
Customize how you compose messages by setting your default compose window size, choosing your signature, or selecting your preferred font and size. You can also pick which email address you want as your default sender.
Email Viewing Preferences
Adjust how you view your inbox with options for different inbox styles. Decide how quickly emails are marked as read and set your preferences for what happens after moving a message.
Organizing with Filters
AOL lets you create up to 500 filters to streamline your incoming mail. Arrange them by priority to make sure important emails are always where you need them.
With these settings at your fingertips, you can shape your AOL Mail experience to match your workflow and personal style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the correct server settings for AOL Mail (IMAP, POP3, and SMTP)?
You’ll need these settings to add your AOL Mail account to any email app or client:
IMAP (for syncing emails across all devices):
- Incoming Mail Server: imap.aol.com
- Port: 993
- Encryption: SSL
- Username: Your full AOL email address
- Password: Your AOL password (or app password if two-factor authentication is enabled)
POP3 (for downloading emails to one device):
- Incoming Mail Server: pop.aol.com
- Port: 995
- Encryption: SSL
- Username: Your full AOL email address
- Password: Your AOL password or app password
SMTP (for sending emails):
- Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.aol.com
- Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)
- Encryption: SSL/TLS
- Username: Your full AOL email address
- Password: Your AOL password or app password
2. Why am I having trouble sending or receiving emails with AOL Mail?
This can happen for a few reasons:
- Incorrect server settings: Double-check that you’ve entered the IMAP/POP3 and SMTP information correctly, including security types and ports.
- Outdated password: If you’ve changed your AOL password recently, make sure to update it in your email app as well.
- App-specific password needed: If you use two-step verification, you’ll need to generate and use an app password instead of your normal one.
- Network issues: Sometimes, connection issues or firewalls can block email access.
- Email filters or blocked list: Check your AOL Mail filters and blocked senders to make sure messages aren’t being misrouted.
If emails are going to spam or not arriving, check your spam or junk folder and mark legitimate messages as “Not Spam.” For persistent issues, try removing and re-adding your AOL account in your email app.
3. What should I do if I forget my AOL Mail password or need to reset my account security settings?
If you can’t remember your AOL password or need to update your security:
- Go to the AOL Sign-in Helper at https://login.aol.com/forgot.
- Enter your AOL email address and follow the prompts to verify your identity (via phone number, email, or security questions).
- Create a new password when prompted.
- If you use two-step verification, you can enable or update it by signing into your AOL account, going to Account Info > Security, and setting up your preferred verification method.
- For app access, generate a new app-specific password if you use two-factor authentication.
Always remember to update your password in any email apps or devices where you use your AOL account after making changes.
