iPhone Config Issue with Cox

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Level 1

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iPhone Config Issue with Cox

sigh Where do I begin? I know I'm not the first to post, but I do not see an answer yet.

I configured my iPhone last night and have Cox as my ISP. I also have WiFi at my house. Ultimately, I cannot get email to function properly on the iPhone - mostly with sent items. On WiFi, the icon simply spins and never sends. I initially received failure errors until I configured the SMTP for Cox on the iPhone.

I researched and found some options. The easiest/best was the mail assitant at this address: http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/mailhelper/

However, when on WiFi, the device throws the items into the Outbox and simply doesn't send. I was able to shut off the WiFi connection, which forced it to Edge, and it attempted to send (albeit very slowly). After configuring for cwmx.com for SMTP, it worked a few times - again, very slowly.

I was able to receive emails, but the send function failed more often than not. I couldn't duplicate the sending of emails again after those two. I'm aware of port 25 being blocked by Cox and, yes, I configured SMTP properly for Cox with the username and password entered in.

The only solution I can see is to turn on WiFi when I'm in a hot spot or in my home only to use Safari or YouTube (Internet connectivity), but otherwise shut off the WiFi when I'm out of the house - thus forcing it to Edge for email. I don't want to set up a different email address (hotmail, gmail, etc.) - everyone knows my Cox address - I simply want to get this to work effectively with Cox's email servers.

Thoughts? What am I missing?!?

mac mini

Posted on Jan 17, 2008 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Jan 17, 2008 10:02 AM in response to ayem@c

ayem@c,

Cox.net doesn't support relaying when you are off their network in all of their areas. I went into details on the reasons here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1341726

The short answer is where do you expect to be sending email more? At home, or out and about?

If out and about, use cwmx.com for the outgoing server. When you are on WiFi at home, you will need to disable WiFi in order to send. (Settings -> WiFi -> On/Off). Cox.net probably won't relay for you WiFi hotspots either, so turning off WiFi and using cwmx.com would work there, too.

If you expect it to be mostly at home, configure it with the outgoing mail server you have on your computer. However, it won't work on EDGE or while connected to a WiFi Hotspot such as at a hotel or coffee shop.

Alternatively, setup a new email address that will relay regardless of network such as GMail, Yahoo, AOL or .Mac.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

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Answer 2

pc2k07

Level 2

181 points

Jan 17, 2008 10:07 AM in response to ayem@c

Does Cox allow using their smtp server while off their network? Many isp's do not. Time warner in new york does not allow me to use their smtp while off their network. For a while I just used the edge smtp and when I was on tw network I just didnt send mail or switched back to edge quick to send. Then I discovered real imap email thru a pay service. 100% better than gmail, yahoo, hotmail, aol, pop accounts, and cheaper than .mac. After I switched my email just simply works and works good all the time. Not one issue or config problem. And I never had to tell people my address even changed because this service gets my email from my old address and it shows in my imap inbox.

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Answer 3

Jan 17, 2008 10:56 AM in response to ayem@c

While not a solution to your problem, per say, this will work.

You can use Cox's webmail from your iPhone to send.

If you are only doing a few e-mails it may be alright, if doing some bulk mailing, it would be quite tedious.

You can access them on the iPhone at http://webmail.east.cox.net or http://webmail.west.cox.net depending on your location, this would correspond to your settings in your mail client(the east or west part).

Just to avoid confusion this would be accessed through Safari.

Message was edited by: th3_r3n3g4d3

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Answer 4

ayem@c Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2008 11:29 AM in response to ayem@c

Nathan ~ I haven't read your link yet, but I will. I'll use it equally at home and out and about. I have it currently config'd for cwmx.com and have wireless of while using Edge.

A little confused - You first stated, "When you are on WiFi at home, you will need to disable WiFi in order to send..." but then stated, "If you expect it to be mostly at home, configure it with the outgoing mail server you have on your computer." If I turn off the WiFi, it'll kick over to Edge to send - I understand that. But if I configure for the same settings for SMTP through Cox, it would, in effect, try to use Cox while at home on WiFi. The latter I cannot get to work - that's part of my issue. It just churns and churns with no sent messages.

Too bad there's not a ProxyPal type of icon on the desktop that would, by simply touching it, toggle from WiFi to Edge. ProxyPal works on my laptop for proxy settings much the same way - it just simplifies things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
PC2K07 ~ This made me chuckle - "...switched back to edge quick to send…" It's not quick for me by any means. Painfully slow with full bars on Edge. I do some business through my current email account and want to keep this as simple as I can. As a result, I'd really, REALLY prefer not to set up an additional email account - even if it's used for forwarding emails.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
TH3 ~ I tried the web access for Cox. Although it works, it's not truly effective. I'd much prefer the mail client through the standard icons.

Thanks, all.

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Answer 5

Jan 17, 2008 11:34 AM in response to ayem@c

As I said, wasnt really a solution, just a suggestion.

However if you are home and connected to WiFi(assuming your WiFi uses COX as your internet provider) you should not have any issue sending e-mail from the mail.app on the iPhone thru Cox. I do this daily(Cox is also my ISP).

I see you said you used username/password for the smtp server. I did not need to input that for it to work. If the mail app is waiting for authorization from the server, perhaps that is why it is timing out with WiFi, as it will not receive a response. They verify your authenticity by your IP.

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Answer 6

ayem@c Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2008 1:19 PM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

I was going to place a screenshot of what I have as an example. Instead, see below for the settings I currently have. If I read you correctly, you're saying to leave the username and password field blank but put smtp.central.cox.net into the

(Under POP on the iPhone)

Name: myname
Address: myname@cox.net
Description: myname

Incoming Mail Server
Host Name: pop.central.cox.net
User Name: myname
Password:
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)
Host Name: smtp.central.cox.net
User Name: myname
Password:

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Answer 7

Jan 17, 2008 1:24 PM in response to ayem@c

For outgoing, the only information I have entered is the outgoing server.

smtp.east.cox.net in my case(although any of them should work for you).

no user name entered nor password.

I also note that right now, I see the phone has appended the port (:25) to the server name, I did not enter that myself.

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Answer 8

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Jan 17, 2008 1:29 PM in response to ayem@c

ayem@c,

Cox, and I have heard of exceptions in some areas, generally does not allow relaying from outside their network. This is a measure they have taken to prevent spammers from abusing their network. Other email providers will relay, if you authenticate with a username and password.

Given the choices Cox has made in regards to relaying and the mail servers they control, I was presented two possible ways to configure it. One for an iPhone used mostly at home, and a second option for an iPhone that is used mostly on the go.

If you are going to be using it equally out and about and at home, then configuring for cwmx.com and tapping Settings -> WiFi and tapping the On/Off switch to turn off WiFi when you want to send emails.

There are other servers, some of which may offer an option to relay for your on WiFi or EDGE. However, I can recommend any of them specifically.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

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Answer 9

ayem@c Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2008 1:31 PM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

I'll remove the username and password and try that. Where exactly did it append the :25? I assume that - providing it doesn't auto populate mine like it did yours - that it would read something like this: smtp.central.cox.net:25

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Answer 10

Jan 17, 2008 1:52 PM in response to ayem@c

smtp.central.cox.net:25

that is exactly as it appears on my phone now(well mine is east).

I don't know when it added it, but I know I didn't!

Message was edited by: th3_r3n3g4d3

Well interestingly enough, I was curious about the port, so I deleted it from the account and it sent an e-mail via WiFi without any problem. Interesting thing is that I also have another cox account that also had the port number appended, but now that I removed it from the other it is also no longer there. Very odd.

Message was edited by: th3_r3n3g4d3

OK, seems the iPhone on its own will apply settings "globally" for like preferences.

I have 2 cox accounts as mentioned earlier, if I modify the outgoing server for either one of them(IE: adding the port 25) it adds it to the other without any interaction on my part, even though they are separate accounts on the phone.

Now, if I change my current to say smtp.west.cox.net, the other account server settings disapper completely!

Very odd behavior.

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Answer 11

KJG73

Level 1

10 points

Jan 17, 2008 1:49 PM in response to ayem@c

I have Cox as well and think I have a solution for you. Smtp.central.cox.net will only send mail when on Cox's network (such as on Wi-Fi at home). CWMX.com will work only on Edge. Switching Wi-Fi on and off to use CWMX is slow and inconvenient.

The solution I found was to create a Gmail account and use it to relay the messages. Here are my settings:

Incoming Mail Server
Host Name pop.east.cox.net (May be central or west depending on location)
User Name <Cox Username>
Password <Cox Password>

Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)
Host Name smtp.gmail.com
User Name <Gmail Address>
Password <Gmail Password>

Outgoing Settings (Advanced)
Use SSL On
Authentication Password
Server Port 587

Once you have a Gmail account, you must login to Gmail and access the settings. Click accounts and add your Cox account to Gmail and make it the default. This will allow you to use Gmail's server to relay messages from your Cox.net address. Recipients will see the message as coming from You@Cox.net. Depending on their mail software they may see it from "You@Cox.net on behalf of You@Gmail.com." When they hit reply it will go back to your Cox.net account.

This has worked great for me since getting the iPhone and is transparent to most recipients.

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Answer 12

Jan 17, 2008 2:44 PM in response to KJG73

Pure genius. Thanks sooo much for posting this. I have been struggling with the whole AT&T outgoing server thing with my Cox email...it doesn't work on WiFi and seems unreliable on EDGE. This is a perfect solution and it made my day!

Thanks,
-SB

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Answer 13

ayem@c Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2008 2:58 PM in response to KJG73

KJ !

Thanks, man. I've seen similar posts about using gmail for rerouting, but none were as descriptive and tutorial as yours. I've never messed with gmail, but it shouldn't be an issue. I'm exited to try this tonight.

Nathan ~ thanks for the follow up. You cleared that up quite well.

I'll touch base tomorrow if I can.

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Answer 14

ayem@c Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2008 7:02 AM in response to KJG73

Just a follow up, KJ. I haven't had time to put these settings into the iPhone yet to test, but I did set up a gmail account.

Two questions:

1) When you state under Outgoing Settings (Advanced) to have "Authentication Password," do I have to put yet another password there? I saw where "password" was already there. Without dropping the arrow down and checking my other options, I assume that I will just leave that alone. By ensuring SSL is on, I assume that it triggers the next field and uses password authentication by default - which is what I set up under SMTP through gmail.

2) Afer this is all established and configured, I am assuming that there will not be a need to toggle between WiFi and Edge whenever I go from home to the car to the office, etc. Is that correct? I assume that I'll enable WiFi, which will work through my own Cox wireless connection (at home), local hot spots, etc., and then the Edge will kick in when WiFi is not detected. No manual switch for me.

Thanks

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Answer 15

Jan 18, 2008 7:16 AM in response to ayem@c

1) He means in the authentication field to select "password" as the type used to authenticate. You don't have to enter anything other than to select "password" as the type of authentication.

2) correct

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