Can't set up IMAP email account

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Level 1

5 points

Can't set up IMAP email account

I want to set up a new IMAP account in Mail on my iMac. I had no problem doing this on the Mac Mini, Mac Air or iPhone. When attempting the setup on the iMac, there seems not to be an option to select the email account type (i.e. POP3, IMAP or Exchange), as there was on the other devices. Instead, after entering the Full Name, Email Address and Password into the Add Account box, Mail searches for the account, connects to the mail server and adds it as an Exchange account, bypassing the setup steps for each of the incoming and outgoing servers. How can I overcome this and set the account up as IMAP?

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), iOS 6.0.1

Posted on Dec 7, 2012 1:50 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 7, 2012 2:46 PM in response to busdriverw

What version of OSX is it?

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Answer 2

busdriverw Author

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Dec 7, 2012 5:37 PM in response to BDAqua

Version 10.7.5

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

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Dec 7, 2012 6:12 PM in response to busdriverw

I'll try to check it out in a few hours when I'm on 10.7

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Answer 4

BDAqua

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Dec 7, 2012 9:49 PM in response to busdriverw

As luck would have it, I can't boot 10.7.5 right now, but in everyother OSX & Mail version from 10.4.11, 10.5.8, 10.6.8,10.8.2, on the second page of setting up a new account, there's an Account typpe to choose from...

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Answer 5

busdriverw Author

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Dec 8, 2012 11:00 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, BDA. I see that option on all but my iMac, which is rather frustrating. I'll keep hoping it miraculously appears.

Cheers!

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 8, 2012 11:16 PM in response to busdriverw

I doubt it will, a bit like hoping Apple cares about Mac Computer users in my opinion. 😟

To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...

Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

Does it work in the new account?

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Answer 7

Howker

Level 1

18 points

Dec 8, 2012 11:18 PM in response to busdriverw

Perhaps you could let us know if when you open Mail - Prefernces - Accounts there is anything in the left pane?

Also have you set up other mailboxes there eg. gmail?

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Answer 8

busdriverw Author

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Dec 8, 2012 11:53 PM in response to BDAqua

Tried creating a new admin account, then logged in as suggested. Same thing happened. Here's the first pane that opens:

After adding the email address and password then clicking continue, the resulting search yields this next pane:

This is perplexing, if only because I have Gmail added as IMAP on all devices, and as mentioned, the new IMAP account added nicely on the other devices.

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Answer 9

busdriverw Author

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Dec 8, 2012 11:54 PM in response to Howker

Hi Howker

Thanks for joining in the discussion. I've replied to your questions above.

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Answer 10

BDAqua

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Dec 9, 2012 12:05 AM in response to busdriverw

Perplexng indeed!???

What is the part after the @ sign that you entered?

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Answer 11

busdriverw Author

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Dec 9, 2012 12:41 AM in response to BDAqua

I'm guessing you mean after the @ in the email address? If so, it's @myune.edu.au.

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Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

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Dec 9, 2012 3:42 PM in response to busdriverw

Very strange that it sips that 2nd page asking for incoming Server & such!??

Hey... wait, looks like it is likely an exchange account now at least, since they're switching to MS Office 365!

http://www.une.edu.au/office365/

So, I think I'd get a free gMail account, set that up as IMAP, then in WebMail settings, Forwaed it to your gMail account...

Can I forward my emails to another external email address (such as Gmail or Hotmail)?

Yes, you will be able to forward your emails to an external email address - instructions on how to do so can be found here.

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Answer 13

Csound1

Level 9

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Dec 9, 2012 5:43 PM in response to busdriverw

busdriverw wrote:

Tried creating a new admin account, then logged in as suggested. Same thing happened. Here's the first pane that opens:

After adding the email address and password then clicking continue, the resulting search yields this next pane:

This is perplexing, if only because I have Gmail added as IMAP on all devices, and as mentioned, the new IMAP account added nicely on the other devices.

At the first screen in your post hold the option key down, Continue will change to Create, you can choose the correct type of account then.

And I just noticed that you are using Outlook.com email, Imap is not supported by that provider, currently only pop works (on Your Mac)

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