"Cannot send message using the server iCloud"

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Level 1

46 points

"Cannot send message using the server iCloud"

Since latest update to macOS Catalina 10.15.7 (perhaps), when I try to send an email using iCloud, I get the message: "Cannot send message using the server iCloud. You have not specified an SMTP server in Mail preferences. You must specify a server before you can send messages.

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."

When I check Mail preferences, it shows under Server Settings for iCloud account: "iCloud (Offline)". iCloud is clearly not offline. For example, I can access a document there. I have not exceeded my capacity - my account is ~ half full. When I use Connection Doctor in Mail preferences, it shows iCloud as an IMAP account, and says Connection and login to server succeeded. The message I'm trying to send is of modest size. It has a 32 KB attachment.

Moreover, I can send this same mail item to myself from my iPhone using iCloud.

When I follow instructions at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203528 (If iCloud Mail isn't working), and check Mail system status, it shows 2 Resolved Issues. If they are resolved, it should be working again.

As noted in the support article, "If you choose Edit SMTP Server List, you won't see your iCloud account listed as an option."

So, what can I do to get this working?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 1, 2021 12:27 PM

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Answer 1

c_luc9

Community Specialist

May 2, 2021 12:12 PM in response to jkr98116

Hello jkr98116,

Thanks for reaching out to us in Apple Support Communities about you not being able to send a message in Mail, we're happy to help by looking into this more!

You have tried a lot of great steps, and you have been referencing the best article for this issue. A few more things you can check for is security software. If you have any security software installed on your Mac, like antivirus software, it may cause these sorts of issues.

Another thing to check for is for a VPN. You can try disabling any security software and any VPN software, if you're using one, and try sending the message again.

If you still have issues, try copying your email message and then deleting the original message all together. Once deleted, create a new message with the same content and try sending it again to see if that works.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

c_luc9

Community Specialist

May 2, 2021 2:28 PM in response to jkr98116

jkr98116,

Thanks for trying those steps and for the additional information. This article has a few more steps you can try:

If you can’t send emails in Mail on Mac

If that still doesn't help, try the steps in this article"

If you can’t send or receive email on your Mac

If you still have issues, reach out to Apple Support:

Get Support

Best Regards.

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Answer 3

jkr98116 Author

Level 1

46 points

May 2, 2021 2:20 PM in response to jkr98116

Well, the old standard remedy, rebooting, did the trick. Who knows what was wrong or how it got that way?

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Answer 4

jkr98116 Author

Level 1

46 points

May 2, 2021 2:14 PM in response to c_luc9

Thanks for trying, but it didn't help. I copied the image to another email, then deleted the first and transmitted the second - same outcome. Then I generated a new email with only a brief subject line, no contents - same outcome.

Note that the message I get says: "iCloud (Offline)". iCloud is clearly not offline. I think this may be central to the problem - that Mail erroneously thinks iCloud is offline.

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"Cannot send message using the server iCloud"

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