Setting up email on your phone, tablet, or computer should be quick, and with WebOps email hosting it usually is. In many mail apps you enter your email address and password and the rest fills in by itself.
How It Works
When you add your email account, your device asks your domain for the correct settings and our mail server answers with them. We publish these settings automatically for every domain we host, so your device fills in the server names and ports for you.
If your app ever asks you for server names, you can enter them yourself using Manual Email Client Configuration.
When your app supports it, the process takes seconds:
- Open your email app and tap "Add Account"
- Enter your full email address
- Enter your password
- Your device connects and syncs your mail
Which Apps Set Themselves Up Automatically?
Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail on Mac and iPhone, and Mozilla Thunderbird all support automatic setup, and so do most phone mail apps. In most cases you enter your email address and password and nothing else.
A few apps still ask for server names. That is normal and nothing is wrong. Enter them from Manual Email Client Configuration. The mail server is your domain on its own, with no prefix.
When Automatic Setup Doesn't Work
Occasionally, automatic setup fails. Here's how to troubleshoot:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Cannot verify account" | Wrong password | Try your password in webmail (webmail.yourdomain.com) first to confirm it works |
| Stuck on "Looking for settings" | DNS not yet propagated | Wait 24 hours if domain was recently added; contact support if longer |
| App asks for server names | App does not support automatic setup | Use manual configuration |
| "Certificate error" | Old or cached settings | Remove account completely and re-add it fresh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know server names or port numbers?
Often not. If your app supports automatic setup it fills them in for you. If it asks, the details are in Manual Email Client Configuration.
Should I choose IMAP or POP3?
Choose IMAP. It syncs your email across all your devices, so messages you read on your phone show as read on your computer. POP3 downloads messages to one device and can cause sync issues.
Why does my device say the password is wrong when I know it's correct?
Some email apps are picky about how you enter your username. Try entering your full email address (including @yourdomain.com) rather than just the part before the @.
I set up email on a new phone. Will my old phone stop working?
No. IMAP allows unlimited devices to access the same mailbox simultaneously.
What Gets Configured Automatically
Autodiscover sets up everything needed for secure email:
- Incoming server (IMAP) with SSL encryption
- Outgoing server (SMTP) with authentication
- Correct port numbers (993 for IMAP, 465 for SMTP)
- Security certificates for encrypted connections
Questions about email setup? Submit a support ticket and we'll help you get connected.
