Bell Canada cuts Outlook Email on iOS

Question

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Bell Canada cuts Outlook Email on iOS

Bell Email has just been 'upgraded'.

One no longer has to link thru Microsoft to access their web-based email services.

But there is collateral damage.

Bell has removed the functionality of the software app Outlook (for iOS).

One can no longer access bell.net or sympatico.ca email services - you cannot send or receive emails using Outlook on your iPhone / iPad.

This is a retrograde step as Outlook seems to be a far superior email client than Mail on iPhones & iPads.

Any suggestions as to how we Canadians can influence Bell to restore Outlook email services? 😕

If not, is there any other alternative to Mail for iOS?

Many thanks!

...John

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 27, 2016 7:21 AM

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Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

Apr 27, 2016 8:09 AM in response to John Bonn

I am not sure how Bell could do this.They seem to use standard POP and IMAP settings, which can be used with any modern email client like the Outlook app.

How do you know this is not possible?

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Answer 2

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 27, 2016 8:30 AM in response to LACAllen

When I lost email functionality on my iPhone using Outlook, I contacted Bell & they (2 levels) advised that, since their web-based service is now not linked to Microsoft, Outlook can no longer be used on iPhones/iPads.

No explanation as to why they did this!

They suggested that other 3rd party apps (e.g. Airmail) might work but Outlook won't.

And it sure doesn't!

Doesn't seem right!

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 27, 2016 8:36 AM in response to John Bonn

What puzzles me is the reference to web-based email service. When you set up Outlook, using the Outlook app on the iPhone, all you need is the server information, your username and password, and then, sometimes, port numbers. There should be no reason you cannot set up their mail on your device, the same as you would on any other portable devices mail client.

While settings may be different than they originally were for the Outlook app, you can remove the account from Outlook if necessary and then add it back. I would check with Bell's support site and just check the mail settings listing. Don't look specifically for something regarding Outlook, or the iPhone.

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Answer 4

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 27, 2016 8:46 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Turns out Bell have switched to IMAP.

Tried to delete & add the Outlook account back in to no avail - when you add a new account on iOS 9.3.1, the Outlook option is labelled Outlook.com.

I suspect that's where the hang-up occurs.

I tried to enter the correct settings and Outlook seems to open OK but no emails are received (or sent).

Here is a transcript from Bell Canada:

Bradley : The outlook email application on your iphone will no longer work with sympatico and bell email account.

Bradley : You need to configure your email with the default email application on your iphone.

You : Formerly, when I went to the Bell Web Mail, I was linked thru Microsoft. is that link now gone?

Bradley : Yes. Use the web site www.bell.net

You : I have Mail configured on the iPhone but prefer Outlook - many reasons - simply a better program on the iPhone

Bradley : I am sorry. You cannot use outlook email app for your sympatico email .

Subsequent conversations with a Tier 2 rep had the same result: the Outlook App cannot be used to access Bell Canada email services.

Very frustrating!

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Answer 5

Apr 27, 2016 8:16 PM in response to John Bonn

You're not using an Outlook.com address, so you shouldn't be choosing that. When you go to add the account to the Outlook app, don't chose Outlook.com, chose "Other". It's down at the bottom under "Advanced". You're probably going to need to enter the server information manually. You should be able to get that from Bell's help pages. If you have to call them back and ask for it, just don't bring out Outlook. Just ask for the server information.

Edit:

See this article for server info:

http://support.bell.ca/Internet/Email/Bell-email-migration-what-to-know

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Answer 6

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 27, 2016 11:01 AM in response to John Bonn

Meg has provided you with the information you need. If you have any difficulty after that, post again, and one of us can try and help you. Your mistake was trying to use the boilerplate setting for Outlook.com.

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Answer 7

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 28, 2016 3:09 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for all the advice folks!

iPad --> Settings--> Mail,Contacts,Calendars--> Accounts-->Sympatico Account (IMAP)--> the Apps Mail & Notes appear (I have Mail ON (green))

The Outlook icon is not present

Outlook App--> Settings--> Sympatico Acc't (Outlook icon & description "Outlook.com" underneath)--> Delete Account

Outlook App--> Add Account --> Add Email Account--> Enter email address —> ********@****--> Add Account --> Enter email address--> Add Account

--> Detecting Account

This then takes me to the Sign In page for my Microsoft Account --> email address & password--> Sign In --> Let This App Access Your Info (www.outlook.com) --> YES --> Add Account

Account appears in the App's list as ********@**** with the Outlook icon & Outlook.com underneath.

Can send but not receive emails from the Outlook App.

It seems that signing into the Microsoft Account might be the concern as the Bell rep indicated that they are no longer working with Microsoft.

And yet I cannot find a way to enter the necessary server info that would allow Outlook to work.

Am I missing something here?

Sorry to be such a bother 😟

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Answer 8

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

Apr 27, 2016 8:16 PM in response to John Bonn

I'm afraid Bradley is just plain wrong here in the way he has worded his response to you.

You really should check the link Meg sent you. It's dated a month ago and explains that this change was coming and what you need to do.

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Answer 9

Apr 28, 2016 3:13 AM in response to John Bonn

Outlook App--> Settings--> Sympatico Acc't (Outlook icon & description "Outlook.com" underneath)--> Delete Account

Outlook App--> Add Account --> Add Email Account--> Enter email address --> ********@**** --> Add Account --> Enter email address--> Add Account

--> Detecting Account

This then takes me to the Sign In page for my Microsoft Account

At the very bottom of the screen, do you see something that says, "Not a Microsoft account?" Tap that. It should take you to the screen that allows you to select "Other".

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Answer 10

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 27, 2016 2:13 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Meg..

Really appreciate your continuing effort.

In Settings for the Outlook App--> Add Account, I am asked to enter my email address & then click Add Account

There are 8 blocks across the bottom of the screen (@outlook.com - @hotmail.com - @iCloud.com etc but No Other or Not a M/S Account box

When I click Add Account, the Box changes to Detecting Account & then the M/S Account Sign In page appears.

I am unable to access the server settings from the Outlook app.

Can do so from the iPad/iPhone Mail,Contacts,Calendars settings for Accounts

They match the one's outlined in LACAllen's post above.

Would screen shots help?

...John

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Answer 11

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

Apr 27, 2016 2:43 PM in response to John Bonn

Are you tapping on the IMAP icon at the bottom per Meg's screenshot?

Then also toggle the SHOW ADVANCED SETTINGS option to see where all the server stuff goes.

The look and feel is different from Mail Contacts and Calendar settings you are seeing, but the details are the same.

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Answer 12

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 28, 2016 3:11 AM in response to LACAllen

Thanks Meg & LACAllen..

Finally got where you wanted me to go..I'm slow!

No problem setting up the new IMAP account under iPad Settings --> Mail,Contacts & Calendars

Used the settings from Bell as per LACAllen's post above & Account Verified.

But no luck Adding this Account in Outlook...& I have really been trying.

Bypassed the Microsoft Sign In page by clicking on "Not a Outlook.com account" as you 2 suggested.

Click on the IMAP icon at the bottom (as in Meg's screenshot above)

Entered the details - many times - with close attention to make sure they are the same as in the iPad settings - here are 2 screen shots:

Get a spinning cogwheel for 30-40 seconds & then the message that Login Fails - check your SMTP settings ..We could not fetch the required data.

Did switch between Port 25 & 587 to no avail. Have re-entered the info more than a few times...but no luck!

Sure feel dumb..thought I knew a bit about this stuff!

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Answer 13

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 28, 2016 3:12 AM in response to John Bonn

Eureka!

Good News....

Once I added the Port # after the SMTP Server (smtphm.sympatico.ca:587) I was able to verify both the Sympatico and the Bell.net accounts in Outlook!

Bad news...

I am able to send Mail from both these accounts - quickly too...but no emails show up in their Inboxes!!

Think I'll get some sleep!

Thanks again for all your efforts!

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Answer 14

John Bonn Author

Level 1

52 points

Apr 28, 2016 7:32 AM in response to John Bonn

Wow..this am everything works!😁

Guess the sleep helped.

Did find out that the iPhone & iPad have different Incoming Mail Server settings

iPhone - pophm.sympatico.ca iPad - imap.bell.net

But the ports are the same for both devices (993 & 587)

Bottom-line: Bell was wrong & you guys were right!! 😉

You've got me up & running with Outlook on my iOS devices - very grateful!!

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Answer 15

Apr 28, 2016 7:44 AM in response to John Bonn

So glad to here you've got it figured out!

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