Mac Mail — Adjusting incoming and outgoing settings

 

This article explains how to adjust mail settings for an email address you have already configured. These instructions explain how to adjust the following:

  • Host Name
  • Port number
  • TLS/SSL (on/off)
  • Authentication method

This article uses IMAP examples. View the following article for POP alternatives:

Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey

  1. In the top menu bar, click Mail.
    Mac Mail Preferences
  2. Select the Preferences option.
    Mac Mail server settings
  3. Click the @ Accounts option in the top bar.
  4. Click the Server Settings tab.
  5. Edit the Incoming/Outgoing Host Name fields to match your DreamHost mail server names.
  6. To edit the Incoming/Outgoing ports, UN-check Automatically manage connection settings. The Port field and Use TLS/SSL checkbox then appear.

    Edit as needed. It's recommended to use incoming values of port 993 for IMAP and 995 for POP.

  7. When finished, click the Save button.

El Capitan

  1. Open the Apple Mail application by clicking Mail in the top menu bar.
    MacOSX mail edit pref
  2. Select the Preferences option.
    The Accounts page opens:
    11 MacOSX new mail settings - Copy.fw.png
  3. Here you can edit the incoming server name. View the Email Server name table to ensure you're using the correct server name. It is either imap.dreamhost.com or pop.dreamhost.com.
  4. To edit the port number, click the @ Accounts option in the top bar.
    12 MacOSX new mail imap settings.fw.png
  5. Click the Advanced tab in the upper right.
  6. Edit the incoming Port number and enable/disable SSL by selecting/deselecting the Use SSL box, as needed.

Editing pre-existing SMTP (Outgoing) settings in El Capitan

  1. Open the Apple Mail application by clicking Mail in the top menu bar.
    MacOSX mail edit pref
  2. Select the Preferences option.
    The Accounts page opens:
  3. Click the @ Accounts option in the top bar.
    15 MacOSX new mail smtp list.fw.png
  4. Select your outgoing mail server from the available options within the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) drop-down list. This should be smtp.dreamhost.com.
  5. Click the drop-down again and select Edit SMTP Server List...
    The Account Information page opens:
    16 MacOSX new mail smtp ports.fw.png
  6. Click the Advanced tab.
  7. Edit the incoming SMTP Port number and enable/disable SSL by selecting/deselecting the Use SSL box, as needed.
  8. Make sure 'Password' is selected in the 'Authentication' drop-down.

See also

DreamHost links

Third-party links

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