Connect iCloud Mail

Connect an iCloud Mail account to AI Emaily using an app-specific password over IMAP.

iCloud Mail does not offer one-click sign-in, so you connect it through the IMAP tab. You will generate an app-specific password at Apple, then paste it into AI Emaily along with the iCloud server settings.

Before you start

iCloud requires two-factor authentication to issue an app-specific password. Make sure two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple Account before you begin.

You will paste an app-specific password into AI Emaily, not your normal Apple Account password.

Use an app password

Paste the app-specific password you generate at Apple, not your everyday Apple Account password. AI Emaily envelope-encrypts every credential at rest and decrypts it only inside an isolated sync worker. It is never logged or sent to your browser.

Create an app password

1
Sign in at appleid.apple.com
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple Account.
2
Open Sign-In and Security
Select Sign-In and Security, then choose App-Specific Passwords.
3
Generate a password
Select Generate an app-specific password (or the plus button), give it a label such as AI Emaily, and confirm.
4
Copy the password
Apple shows a 16-character password once. Copy it now; you cannot view it again after closing the dialog.

Add it to AI Emaily (IMAP tab)

1
Open Add mailbox
In AI Emaily, open Add mailbox and select the IMAP tab.
2
Enter your iCloud address
Use your full @icloud.com address as the username. @me.com and @mac.com aliases also work.
3
Paste the app password
In the password field, paste the app-specific password you generated at Apple. Do not use your normal Apple Account password.
4
Confirm server settings
Set the IMAP host to imap.mail.me.com on port 993 (SSL) and the SMTP host to smtp.mail.me.com on port 587, if they are not filled in already.
5
Save
Save the mailbox. AI Emaily verifies the connection before saving. If the test fails, a hint indicates which setting is likely wrong.

Server settings

Setting	Value
IMAP host	imap.mail.me.com
IMAP port	993 (SSL)
SMTP host	smtp.mail.me.com
SMTP port	587
Password type	App-specific password

Troubleshooting

Authentication failed: you likely entered your normal Apple Account password. iCloud requires an app-specific password in the password field.
Cannot generate an app password: app-specific passwords require two-factor authentication. Turn it on for your Apple Account, then generate the password again.
Username rejected: use your full email address. An @icloud.com address is standard; @me.com and @mac.com aliases also work.
Connection refused or timed out: confirm the IMAP host is imap.mail.me.com on port 993 with SSL, and the SMTP host is smtp.mail.me.com on port 587.
Password stopped working: if you revoked the app-specific password at Apple, generate a new one and update the mailbox in AI Emaily.

Frequently asked

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