How to set up Apple (Mac) Mail on OS X

This article demonstrates how to set up Apple (Mac) Mail on OS X to access an A2 Hosting e-mail account.

  • This article assumes that you have already created at least one e-mail account for your domain. If you have not done this, please see this article to learn how to create an e-mail account using cPanel.
  • This article also assumes that you have some basic familiarity with e-mail protocols (SMTP, IMAP, and POP). If you are unfamiliar with these protocols, please read this article first before you try to set up a client e-mail application.

Configuring Apple (Mac) Mail

To configure Apple (Mac) Mail to work with your A2 Hosting e-mail account, follow these steps:

  1. Start Mail.
  2. On the Mail menu, click Add Account.
  3. Under Choose a Mail account provider, click Other Mail Account, and then click Continue. The Add a Mail account dialog box appears.
  4. In the Name text box, type the name that you want to appear on messages you send.
  5. In the Email Address text box, type the e-mail address of the account you created in cPanel.
  6. In the Password text box, type the password for the e-mail account you created in cPanel.
  7. Click Sign In. Mail tries to log in automatically, and may display the error message ”Unable to verify account name or password.” This is normal.
  8. In the Account Type list box, select the type of incoming mail server that you want to use:
    • If you want to use POP, select POP.
    • If you want to use IMAP, select IMAP.
  9. In the Incoming Mail Server text box, type the complete A2 Hosting server name for your account, such as mi3-ss31.a2hosting.com or az1-lr2.supercp.com. For information about how to determine your account's server name, please see this article.

    If you plan on using secure SSL/TLS access with POP3 or IMAP (and we strongly recommend that you do), you must use the A2 Hosting server name instead of your own domain name. Otherwise, your client application may display security warnings that the shared SSL certificate for the server does not match your web site's domain name.
  10. In the Outgoing Mail Server text box, type the complete A2 Hosting server name for your account, such as mi3-ss31.a2hosting.com or az1-lr2.supercp.com. For information about how to determine your account's server name, please see this article.

    If you plan on using secure SSL/TLS access with SMTP (and we strongly recommend that you do), you must use the A2 Hosting server name instead of your own domain name. Otherwise, your client application may display security warnings that the shared SSL certificate for the server does not match your web site's domain name.
  11. Click Sign In. Mail tries to log in to the server a second time:

    • If the login is successful, and you selected POP as the account type, configuration is complete.
    • If the login is successful, and you selected IMAP as the account type, follow these additional steps:
      1. Mail asks which apps you want to use with the account. Confirm that Mail is checked. Optionally, you can also select the Notes app if you want.
      2. Click Done. Mail adds the account and downloads any messages.
      3. On the Mail menu, click Accounts.
      4. In the list of accounts, click the account you just added, and then click Advanced.
      5. Confirm that the Path Prefix text box is set to INBOX, and then click OK. Mail is now configured to work with your A2 Hosting e-mail account.

More Information

Did you find this article helpful? Then you'll love our support. Experience the A2 Hosting difference today and get a pre-secured, pre-optimized website. Check out our web hosting plans today.

We use cookies to personalize the website for you and to analyze the use of our website. You consent to this by clicking on "I consent" or by continuing your use of this website. Further information about cookies can be found in our Privacy Policy.