Email problem – The SMTP server “smtp.me.com” rejected the password on 10.6.8 system

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Level 1

12 points

Email problem – The SMTP server “smtp.me.com” rejected the password on 10.6.8 system

The SMTP server “smtp.me.com” rejected the password on my 10.6.8 system. I know I'm using an older operating system. This work email has always worked, until last night 6/15/17. I haven't changed anything. I know my password is valid as I can access my mail in icloud. I prefer using Mail to organize my emails, download files, and reply.

I actually had this happen a few months ago with our personal email. Now with that email, it only works if I first sign into icloud, then when I type the password in mail, it will get new messages and be online. The password always has to be re-entered. Now I rarely check/use that email, but I highly rely on my work email. (I tried doing this same thing with my work email account, and it is not working.)

Very frustrating. I only use these email accounts on this mac. I don't have other devices. I don't have a smart phone. What changed with Apple, that is not allowing my mail to work on my 10.6.8 operating system? I have lots of graphic software that work with this system, but that are not compatible with the newer system. I use this for work. Everything is working great, except my incoming and outgoing mail.

I appreciate everything. Thank you.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Email problem – The SMTP server “sm

Posted on Jun 16, 2017 9:43 AM

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Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Nov 6, 2017 9:15 AM in response to salesjo

Using app-specific passwords - Apple Support

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Answer 2

salesjo

Level 1

4 points

Nov 6, 2017 9:08 AM in response to NBRamsey

I have the same issue as you except mine works on my Iphone, Ipad and not on my Windows 10 Laptop. It's been 6 months and \i have tried everything. Reset Passwords, Reconfigure Outlook, review email settings a million times and still nothing.... It's ridiculous.

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Answer 3

laswan Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 16, 2017 1:09 PM in response to Csound1

So I found online that I should update my MobileMe account with the icloud settings so it works on 10.6.8. I didn't want to delete my original account MobileMe acct (yet), so I set up a new icloud acct.

To Manually Set iCloud mail on 10.6.8

Still didn't work.

Then I decided to do the simplest of things... (Like when you are looking for a lost item, and you go back to the first place you looked – and find it.) I reset my darn password (and made it stronger).

And now, ta-dah.... both MobileMe and icloud accts are working. Crazy, right? Same old settings on my MobileMe account are working. I didn't want duplicates of all my emails, so I deleted the icloud acct. for now, but I know that's an option and the direction to go. Just want to organize lots of my older emails first, and download or back up items. Hate to do anything rash in hast. So this is my update. Thanks for everyone's suggestions! Happy Friday, at last!

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Answer 4

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Jun 16, 2017 9:52 AM in response to laswan

Greatly sympathise with you. I've had trouble with Apple mail for ages. The program has a habit of losing contact with the network. I find two ways to get over it. One, quit mail; then open it again. Two (this is with my new MBP which is equally afflicted from time to time) turn off WiFi for a couple of seconds and then on again. With 10.6.8, you could try turning Airport off and on.

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Answer 5

laswan Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 16, 2017 10:28 AM in response to seventy one

Thank you. My computer is connected to the router, directly. I don't use the Airport. I turned it on to try. No difference. This is absolutely driving me batty! I feel that it must be something on Apple's end, that they changed.

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Answer 6

laswan Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 17, 2017 7:16 PM in response to jackfromtallai

Yesterday, I solved the problem by changing my Apple ID password. Then everything worked in Mail after I entered the new password for my incoming and outgoing email. (I was jumping for joy!) Unfortunately, when I closed Mail at the end of the day, it didn't work the next time I opened it. I even set up a separate IMAP account with the icloud settings today—and even that is not working. I don't feel like changing my Apple ID password every time I need to use Mail. So frustrating. Today, I'm accessing my email online (cumbersome with downloading and saving lots of material for publishing)—which only works on my Firefox. I miss the options I have in Mail.
All these years my mail has worked. I can't upgrade my operating system very easily, as I use lots of graphic design software that only works on this system. I feel that when you purchase an Apple computer it should work for the duration that you own it, without being forced to upgrade. Mail should easily work on any operating system. If Apple changes something on their end, they should make sure it still works on older operating systems—that I'm sure many still use. Not everyone can afford to upgrade and purchase new software. Sorry to rant.

Back to work here on a Saturday night. I hope a permanent solution comes our way!

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Answer 7

Spearth

Level 1

4 points

Jun 18, 2017 1:15 AM in response to laswan

I have run into exactly the same problem. Like you I am using 10.6.8 and have key software that requires me to keep running this older operating system, and like you I do not have any other devices, nor a smart phone.

In May Apple sent out an email stating that on 15 June 2017 all non-apple software accessing iCloud data must have an "app-specific password" generated in order to retain access.

From 15 June my Apple Mail (on OSX 10.6.8) can no longer access iCloud mail - this is surely no coincidence!

I rang Apple Support and they seem just as mystified as me. They eventually came to the conclusion that with the implementation of this new security feature older versions of Apple Mail will also be required to have an "app-specific password".

Okay, how do you generate an "app-specific password", you go onto the AppleID website and generate one. To do this you must first enable "two-factor authorisations", BUT you can only do this if you have OSX El Capitan or later!

Alternatively, if you have an older system, you can enable the older "two-step verification" security to access the "app-specific passwords".

What does "two-step verification" require? IT REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE A SMART PHONE !!!!

Jeeeesh !!!!

I must have missed it somewhere, but there was obviously an international law passed at some point requiring every human being to have a smart phone !!! I seriously don't want or need one.

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Answer 8

Jun 18, 2017 2:39 AM in response to laswan

Having EXACTLY the same problem. On my main laptop running 10.6.8, Mail just refuses to connect to the correct incoming/outgoing mail servers. On 10.6.8, Mail is v 4.6(1085) -- resetting password did not help either. Now, I have a secondary laptop running OS 10.7.5, where Mail is v 5.3(1283), where everything works once I set the new password(s). Something went terribly wrong since 11-June when is the last time I used my main laptop. I will not upgrade OS versions -- if this continues, I will have to abandon Macs which I have used since 1988. Thanks Apple, managed to turn our computers into 'mobile smart devices' (which I also do not possess).

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Answer 9

Jun 21, 2017 2:09 PM in response to laswan

Having the same problem since 06/15/2017 - I can't access my email account from my tablet or smartphone. My password hasn't changed. Tried deleting email account and re-adding it - it still doesnt work. Not sure if Apple has done some kind of update that messed things up, since everything was working fine until 06/15.

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Answer 10

laswan Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 22, 2017 9:36 AM in response to Jnnfrcnnng

Thanks for posting. My mail is still not working. I connected with someone at Apple on Sunday, June 18, and we tried various things and nothing worked. I had a tight deadline, so after 1.5 to 2 hours, I had to get back to work. I am going to reconnect with this senior advisor at Apple, and see if he found any solutions in the meantime. I mentioned that there are lots of people in the same situation, using 10.6.8 who can not upgrade because software will not be compatible. I'm again in deadline with work, but if I find any information/solutions, I'll post. Thanks.

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Answer 11

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Jun 22, 2017 10:28 AM in response to laswan

I have been on 10.6.8 for 8 years. Occasionally I had the same problem and have only recently found, not a solution, but a helpful action. Try turning off the Wi-Fi for 10 seconds and on again after that. But I went a step further because it occurred to me that solution indicated more a Wi-Fi problem than a software one. So I asked my email provider to check out their Wi-Fi and it seems that there may be sufficient adjustment in the Wi-fi system to solve the problem. We are experimenting.

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Answer 12

laswan Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 22, 2017 10:56 AM in response to seventy one

Thanks for your input. In my case I don't use WiFi, and when i go to the Mail/Window/Connection Doctor, it shows that I'm connected to the internet, so there is no problem there for me. The big fail seems to be on Apple's end, failing to recognize my password. I'm hoping they can find/resolve something that they seemed to have changed 6/15, so that Mail works again, as it should. And, as I mentioned above, when I did change my Apple password, I was able to receive/send Mail. However, when I closed Mail and reopened the next day, the new password was rejected (nothing had changed on my end). I'm not going to change my password on a daily basis (though the thought has crossed my mind). Apple needs to step up and fix this, please. My whole workflow is disrupted as Mail is key to my business—and icloud online is not efficient. Frustrated, but hopeful.

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Answer 13

NBRamsey

Level 1

8 points

Jul 10, 2017 12:46 PM in response to laswan

Non-helpful answer, but I have had this problem since mid-June 2017.
Mail works fine on my iPhone and my iPad, and my home theatre mini, but NOT on my slightly older iMac running 10.7.5

My paranoid side says this is Apple trying to get us all to upgrade our operating systems, which we will THEN find to be too slow on our older machines. And thus stimulate purchase of a new machine?

Much as I'm a lifelong Apple fan, I might have to get a Windows box for work.

Sigh. Are you listening Apple?

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