How to Set Up Business Email on Outlook and Desktop Apps

Prefer working from a desktop mail app rather than webmail? Here's how to add your business email to Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird and similar clients - and the settings you'll need.

What you'll need first

Before you start, have these ready:

• Your full email address and password
• The incoming server (IMAP) host and port
• The outgoing server (SMTP) host and port
• Your provider's security setting (SSL/TLS)

If you're not sure whether to use IMAP or POP, use IMAP - it keeps mail in sync across every device. See IMAP vs POP: which should you use.

The general steps (any client)

1. Open your mail app and choose Add account
2. Enter your name, email address and password
3. Choose IMAP as the account type
4. Enter the incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) server details
5. Make sure SSL/TLS is enabled on both - see what is TLS and STARTTLS
6. Finish and let it sync

Outlook

In Outlook, go to File → Add Account, enter your address, and when prompted choose IMAP and fill in the server settings. Outlook will test the connection and start downloading mail.

Apple Mail

Go to Mail → Add Account → Other Mail Account, enter your details, and provide the IMAP/SMTP servers if it doesn't detect them automatically.

Thunderbird

Choose Account Settings → Add Mail Account. Thunderbird often auto-detects settings; if not, enter them manually and pick IMAP.

Don't forget mobile

Once desktop is set up, add the same account on your phone so everything stays in sync. See how to set up email on iPhone and Android.

Works with the apps you already use

DigiCloudMail works with every major mail client over standard IMAP, SMTP and ActiveSync - so you can use Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird or our fast webmail. See webmail and mobile access.

Need help connecting your mail app? Contact us.