User profile for user: Maraviche
Maraviche Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

I'm trying to reinstall email account on Mac Mail, but it says the account already exists

I've had to remove my main email account from Mac Mail because a glitch stopped it receiving mail. I'm now trying to reinstall that account but, after entering the details I get a message saying that the account already exists. Although I removed the account itself (it no longer shows up in the Accounts pane) I don't think I disconnected it from other apps such as 'Notes' or 'Contacts'. I now can't find a way to totally remove the account from the system, so I can do a clean re-install.


Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Posted on Mar 18, 2018 10:02 AM

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User profile for user: rose_10
rose_10
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Mar 22, 2018 9:58 AM

Hi there, Maraviche!
Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you are getting a message that an account exists when trying to add an email account on your Mac and I am happy to help out! Take a look at this thread in the Apple Support Communities with a similar issue for Bill_F444 where they are Unable to add email account in OSX. Says accoun.... Specifically, take a look at the steps from Eric Root that have been Apple recommended:

Check System Preferences/Internet Accounts to see if the account is there.


Try Mail/Preferences/Accounts /Account Information. Select an account, then go to Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP). From the drop down menu select Edit SMPT server list. See if the account is listed there. If so, delete the SMTP server for the account. Try to add the Mail account again.


Delete the account, then add it back. After filling in the 1st screen, hold down the option/alt key while clicking Continue. Fill in the necessary information, then click continue until all screens are filled in.





Let me know the results and have a great day!
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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: rose_10
rose_10
User level: Community Specialist

Mar 22, 2018 9:58 AM in response to Maraviche

Hi there, Maraviche!
Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you are getting a message that an account exists when trying to add an email account on your Mac and I am happy to help out! Take a look at this thread in the Apple Support Communities with a similar issue for Bill_F444 where they are Unable to add email account in OSX. Says accoun.... Specifically, take a look at the steps from Eric Root that have been Apple recommended:

Check System Preferences/Internet Accounts to see if the account is there.


Try Mail/Preferences/Accounts /Account Information. Select an account, then go to Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP). From the drop down menu select Edit SMPT server list. See if the account is listed there. If so, delete the SMTP server for the account. Try to add the Mail account again.


Delete the account, then add it back. After filling in the 1st screen, hold down the option/alt key while clicking Continue. Fill in the necessary information, then click continue until all screens are filled in.





Let me know the results and have a great day!
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I'm trying to reinstall email account on Mac Mail, but it says the account already exists

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