Why do I get an "unable to connect … There may be a problem with the mail server or network." message from iCloud. I have verified the settings. I can access my iCloud account online but can't send or receive e-mail via the mail account.

Looks like there are a couple of particulars you need to correct in your account settings.

1) Try changing the incoming mail server to mail.me.com

2) Set the port to 993 rather than 143

JungleTaxi Cabbie wrote:

Looks like there are a couple of particulars you need to correct in your account settings.

1) Try changing the incoming mail server to mail.me.com

2) Set the port to 993 rather than 143

Absolutely not!

The incoming server is imap.mail.me.com. The server you posted is the old (Mobile Me) server.

For the OP's question, see below.

Here are the full settings for iCloud mail.

retsinab wrote:

Text limits to the "Question" link prevents a full explanation:
This is a long-time problem. I have tried to resolve it with Apple but their "Customer Support" is merely a name.

I can go online and access my e-mail but when I try to send or receive e-mail via iCloud through my internet server (Google fiber now but the same situation existed with my prior service), I receive "There may be a problem with the mail server or network. Verify the settings for 'Apple Email' and try again.

"The server returned the error: The server 'p0-imap.mail.me.com' refused to allow a connection on port 143."

Well, I have verified the setting and tried again and again and …

Well, you get the idea …

Why set it up manually (not to mention wrong)

Open System Preferences>iCloud, uncheck Mail, reboot and turn Mail back on.

Csound1: iCloud: Configuring Mail with Mac OS X v10.6 or iOS 4

Enter your Incoming Mail Server, User Name, and Password using the following settings:

• Incoming Mail Server: mail.me.com
• User Name: Your iCloud email address (excluding @me.com)
• Password: Your password

Last Modified: Jun 27, 2013

Maybe you should test these things before calling people out, because these settings do function perfectly well. 😝

Also, if you're not running Lion or Mountain Lion, there is no "Mail, Contacts & Calendars" prefpane.

JungleTaxi Cabbie wrote:

Csound1: iCloud: Configuring Mail with Mac OS X v10.6 or iOS 4

Enter your Incoming Mail Server, User Name, and Password using the following settings:

• Incoming Mail Server: mail.me.com
• User Name: Your iCloud email address (excluding @me.com)
• Password: Your password

Last Modified: Jun 27, 2013

Maybe you should test these things before calling people out, because these settings do function perfectly well. 😝

iCloud is not supported on Snow Leopard or lower, why bother to mention it?

The OP has an iCloud account, and that can not be opened without Lion or Mountain Lion (on a Mac), IOS5 or 6 (on an iPhone/iPad)

The document I linked to is Apples documentation for iCloud on current devices,I don't care whether you believe that you know better than they do, but it will affect the people who follow your advice as it won't work

JungleTaxi Cabbie wrote:

Also, if you're not running Lion or Mountain Lion, there is no "Mail, Contacts & Calendars" prefpane.

I never said that there was, perhaps you imagined it.

Snow Leopard is not compatible with iCloud and does not have the iCloud Prefs Pane nor the one you mentioned. Although the article you link to does say to use mail.me.com, and at the time of MobileMe's closure Apple did say that the MobileMe settings would continue to work, many people have found that they do not.

The correct settings for iCloud are given in the Tech Note Csound1 linked to and should be used when setting up Snow Leopard - however there is no suggestion that the OP is using Snow Leopard: particularly as the 'p0' number preceding the rest of the address is entered automatically by the Lion or Mountain Lion setup process (it varies, apparently by geographical region); so Snow Leopard settings, right or wrong, aren't relevant.

Anyone using Lion or Mountain Lion shouldn't try to set Mail up manually, but let the automatic process do it by signing in in the iCloud Prefs Pane and checking Mail in the list.

Anyone setting up Snow Leopard to access an existing iCloud account (you can't set on up on Snow Leopard) should follow the instructions here to get round the Snow Leopard mail 'Wizard':

Entering iCloud email settings manually in Snow Leopard or Leopard

retsinab wrote:

While the argument going on here is interresting and all, I should point out that I am not using Leopard. I am using OSX Lion 10.7.5.

That is why I gave you the instructions for Lion or Mountain Lion.

Do not alter it manually, follow my or Roger Wilmuts directions, manual editing will fail.

Flipping between ports 143 and 993 does not help at all. I keep getting the same error:

The server returned the error: The server “p03-imap.mail.me.com” cannot be contacted on port ...

Don't set it up manually (143 is not a correct port)

Let the autosetup do it for you.