SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Catalina

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Level 1

13 points

SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Catalina

I am having issues with my SMTP server settings not saving, so my email account is offline after every restart and the closing / re-opening of Apple Mail. My account user name and password will not save.

The issue is the account name was entered incorrectly (when previously troubleshooting the password issue), so I have to correct it every time by editing the SMTP server list – after which my email operates fine (send and receive). But after closing mail and re-opening, the account user name reverts to the incorrect version, and the password disappears. Previously the Use TLS/SSL also turned off, but this now appears to be sticking.

This is a pop.gmail.com account which I use on my desktop. I use an imap version of this account on my devices (iPad and Samsung Note 8) so I do not want to use imap on my desktop.

I have tried to create a new SMTP server under a new name with the same account settings, but it disappears, never appearing in the list. Is there a bug in Apple Mail? Everything appears to be up to date.

Catalina 10.15.4 (19E287), Mail Version 13.4 (3608.80.23.2.2)

Posted on May 7, 2020 8:08 PM

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Answer 1

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

May 13, 2020 7:41 AM in response to TKayed

Hey TKayed,

Thanks for the reply and additional information, we appreciate it!

Since this started with the incorrect information being entered when re-adding the email account, have you tried to delete the account and re-add it again?

Add or remove email accounts in Mail on Mac

You mentioned that it's a POP account, so you'll want to backup those messages, so not to lose them.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

i_rina

Community Specialist

May 14, 2020 7:19 AM in response to TKayed

Hi TKayed,

Thanks again for the reply. We get that, it's totally understandable not wanting to do that troubleshooting step of deleting and re-entering your email account.

Let's look at this from a different perspective, when you enter in the email server details, the settings should automatically be verified with the email provider.

Connection Doctor is a great way to see the status of your email accounts. Use Connection Doctor in Mail on Mac

If possible, run Connection Doctor with the settings you want to use and also with the settings which are defaulted to.

Then contact your email provider to let them know what's happening and the results of both tests. There may be something on their end which needs to be adjusted.

Have a great day!

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Answer 3

BreeZee_17

Community Specialist

May 8, 2020 4:48 PM in response to TKayed

Hello TKayed,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! I see you're having an issue with mail server settings, and I'd like to do what I can to help.

The mail server settings are determined by your email provider, which you can check on the Mail Settings Lookup page.

Info on how to Change Server Settings in Mail on Mac.

I'd recommend checking with your email provider for the settings to be used.

Take care!

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Answer 4

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

May 15, 2020 6:20 AM in response to TKayed

Hello TKayed,

We appreciate the reply and your patience while we worked together troubleshooting this issue.

What I would recommend next is to contact Gmail to verify that all is correct on their end with your POP account.

If so, then Contact Apple Support, so they can look further into why this is happening. Let them know what's happening and what steps you've done so far.

Thank you!

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Answer 5

TKayed Author

Level 1

13 points

May 10, 2020 11:51 PM in response to BreeZee_17

Thanks BreeZee, but I have been through this already. The issue is when I edit the SMTP Server List, the settings do not save. I have to edit them again and again, every time I open Apple Mail or restart my computer.

My email server is setup using a custom domain on gmail, so I am using Gmail's settings with the Outgoing Mail Server set to host name smtp.gmail.com, using Port 587 and Use TLS/SSL turned on.

BUT every time I open the Apple Mail app, the Outgoing Mail Server account will show offline, and when I edit the SMTP Server List I can see that my account user name has reverted back to the misspelled email address and the password is missing. Once I correct this, I can send email. But as soon as I close Apple Mail, those settings seem to reset, as the next time I restart or open the application, I have to do this correction again.

This all started with just the password disappearing, and in an effort to fix it I deleted and re-entered my email user account (incorrectly). THAT is how I know that the settings are not saving. If they were, my email user account would be correct.

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Answer 6

TKayed Author

Level 1

13 points

May 13, 2020 8:06 PM in response to Joseph_S.

As I use my account for business purposes and have many rules and folders setup for clients, contractors and suppliers, etc deactivating or deleting my POP account will be a HUGE pain in the butt and will therefore be the last ditch effort to solve this. I'm not ready for that yet.

This didn't actually start with the incorrect information, this started because it would constantly ask me for my password after every restart or close and open of Apple Mail. In an effort to solve THAT problem it was only by accident that I realised that no STMP server information would save.

I can't even try to create a new SMTP, it will save and before I can even close the preference window it disappears from the outgoing server selection. When I go to select and edit the smtp list it is not there. Super frustrating.

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Answer 7

TKayed Author

Level 1

13 points

May 15, 2020 6:23 AM in response to i_rina

When I edit the SMTP server to correct my account name and add my password it will connect and all is well – I am able to send email. Until I close Apple Mail and re-open it. Then my account goes offline, and when I edit the SMTP server I can see that the correction I made previous to application close are not there. I don't see the point in running Connection Doctor as it only tells me whether the account connects or not. After editing the SMTP server Connection Doctor reads "Connection and login to server succeeded". After closing and re-opening Apple Mail is reads the exact same thing. BUT when I try to send an email I get a popup "Cannot send message using the server gmail pop" followed by this message:

The sender address was rejected by the server.

The server response was: Authentication Required. Learn more

Select a different outgoing mail server from the list below or click Try Later to leave the message in your Outbox until it can be sent.

Of course this is because the password is not saved in the SMTP server and password authentication reverts to 'none' in the settings.

I have set up new SMTP servers many times over, 1 out of 10 actually saves. I made the mistake of deleting the previous (thinking it will only allow one in the list) and it took me 10 tries to finally save a new one. But the password authentication will not save.

I have to believe this is a bug in Apple Mail with pop accounts. Why else would it work after I edit it but not work after I close and re-open the application?

[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]

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SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Catalina

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