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The user uses the IOS Mail application on their iPhone 11 Pro and it unexpected stopped updating mail. The user can access their AOL mail via a Windows device using an Internet browser so the AOL mail service is working. A reboot of the iPhone device did not clear up the problem.
iPhone 11 Pro
The solution was as follows:
On the iPhone go to Settings, scroll down and select mail, then select the AOL account not updating correctly. If the subsequent screen asks for a password, enter the password associated with that AOL email account. The AOL mail server may request a code that is to be sent via phone, text, email, or other method such as WhatsApp. Select the text option and enter the code received via text. Back out of settings and relaunch the Mail app. These simple steps worked for this user. Always try the easy steps first like reboot, then the steps described above.
This issue is not exclusive to iPhone 11 Pro. It's happening in other iPhone versions. And it's not just happening with AOL; some Yahoo users are experiencing the same thing. I cannot access any of my AOL accounts on my iPhone except for one that I was able verify because I had my phone number linked. For the other AOL accounts, I get an error message written exactly like this:
Cannot Get Mail. The connection to the server failed. Server code 'AUTHENTICATIONFAILED", server message AUTHENTICATE Invalid credentials".
The issue is with the "Is it really you?" screen. This is where they ask you where to send their verification code. The issue I am having is that my verification emails are being sent to ANOTHER AOL email address, which is also having accessibility issues. I basically screwed myself thinking another AOL email address would be a safe way to get back into my accounts.
When I go to Mail>Mail Accounts, and click on an AOL email account, the password is cleared out and it says "Re-enter Password" but when you do just that, it brings you to the dreadful "Is it really you? screen where they want to email a verification code to an email I can't access. I also can't access Account Settings on these same problem accounts.
As for accessing AOL on my laptop, I can access the above mentioned account and one additional AOL account that no longer works on my iPhone. In other words, the account is accessible on one device but not another.
I've contacted both companies after waiting hours to reach a live person. Their fix - reenter the password or delete and re-add the account. - does not work for me.
AOL claimed they could not help me access my accounts on their end (even after accessing one of my accounts and seeing the AOL sub-accounts listed). The first time I called, they said to wait a few days for the system to refresh, then call back if the problem persists (it did). Called again a few days later. This time the rep told me their engineers are working on a solution to offer other ways to verify your account, those other ways possibly being phone number and/or government issued-ID. I assume this option will be offered on the "Is it really you?" screen. I do not feel comfortable giving out my government-issued ID to an email provider. It's bad enough we have to use a phone number. Seems our information is no longer safe but that's a whole other story.
Both AOL and Yahoo had no timeframe on when this issue would be resolved. They did say that their lines were bombarded with calls concerning the same or similar issue. They stated that emails would continue to be received in the inbox(es) and that once I regain access, I will find them there. So it doesn't appear to be a server issue but rather a connectivity one... but who knows? I don't think Apple is working with AOL/Yahoo to resolve this since it's effecting non-Apple devices, too.
All that said, this is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. It's been nearly a week without access to important emails and this matter has caused a great deal of stress and aggravation. It's not as simple as just creating a new email address (something one rep suggested). Some email addys are decades old and you can't simply replace them. I am just shocked that a company of that magnitude would not have this issue resolved by now. It's disrupting lives and they need to get this fixed NOW. please!
AOL Mail not updating on iPhone 11 Pro
