What iCloud password do I use when setting up my email client? I keep getting an authentication error.

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What iCloud password do I use when setting up my email client? I keep getting an authentication error.

While trying to setup my (non-Apple) email client to receive and send email for my iCloud account I keep getting an authentication error while using my AppleID password.

I tried resetting my AppleID password but the password is still failing when attempting to setup my email client. I even called Apple Support today in which they told me that the iCloud email password should be in sync with the AppleID password since the iCloud email is just an alias to it. After 25+ minutes they told me I should just use the Apple Mail client instead. 😐

Posted on Mar 9, 2016 8:57 PM

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Answer 1

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derek78756 Author

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Mar 9, 2016 9:36 PM in response to derek78756

I finally found the solution tonight when looking through the Manage your Apple ID site. You need to create an App-Specific password for your email client:

go to https://appleid.apple.com/account/home
login with your AppleID username and password
Once the page loads click the 'Edit' link in the Security section
You should now see a section for App-Specific Passwords
Click the 'Generate Password...' link
Enter a label (I used my email client name - Unibox)
Click Create

Apple will generate a password that you'll use when setting up your email client. Use this new password instead of your AppleID password.

Using app-specific passwords - Apple Support

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Answer 2

derek78756 Author

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Mar 11, 2016 7:11 PM in response to derek78756

Now that I've had more time to think about it. I think this occurred because I enabled two factor authentication. I remember having to do something similar for my gmail setup.

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Answer 3

May 1, 2016 11:11 PM in response to derek78756

You are the best! Thank you.

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