How to Set the Outgoing Mail Server on an iPhone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 8, 2022

This wikiHow article teaches you how to change or add an SMTP, the server responsible for sending emails, for an account created in the Mail app on your iPhone. This may be necessary if you have an account linked to your internet service provider or require a more professional server than the one associated with your free email account.

1

Open your iPhone’s Settings.

It’s a gray gear icon that will be on the Home Screen. If you don't see it there, you'll find it in the App Library.

2

Select the "Mail" settings option.

Scroll down and tap Mail. It’s in the fifth set of options.
- This button will be called Mail, Contacts, Calendars in iOS 9 and earlier.

3

Select "Accounts.

This option appears in the Mail settings. This will not be required in iOS 9 and earlier, as your email accounts will already be listed after the previous step.

4

Select an account.

Tap the account you want to change. Settings for this account will appear.

5

Tap your email address.

Now you'll see all of your mail settings for this address.

6

Tap "SMTP."

The name of your current SMTP server appears here. You can now update it easily.

7

Tap "Add Server."

This opens a new field into which you can type your SMTP server address.

8

Enter the required information.

Type your SMTP host name, username and password. This information will be provided to you by your email provider.
- The username and password will be the same as those tied to your account. If you do not know the host name, then you will need to look it up or find it out from the provider.
- It is worthwhile to learn the SMTP port, as well, since some internet service providers may block the default one.

9

Tap "Save."

This saves your settings. Your new SMTP server will be added to your email account.

Community Q&A

Question

What is an SMPT server?

Bella Candy

Community Answer

An SMPT server is an application with the primary purpose to send, receive, and/or relay outgoing mail between email senders and receivers.
Question

How do I find my host name when setting up account on iPhone?

Community Answer

You can easily know the host name. If you're looking for the host name for Gmail, it is stmp.gmail.com. For Office 365, it is stmp.office365.com and so on. Most often it will be something along the lines of smtp.yourprovider.com.
Question

What does SSL mean in the settings?

Axolotl

Community Answer

SSL means Transport Layer Security, which used to be known as Secure Sockets Layer.