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Problems signing into Hotmail on iPhone

Richard Deaver 20 Reputation points
2026-04-27T22:03:03.1633333+00:00

I had a popup saying I needed to log in with my password to access Hotmail on my phone. I went through the 'Authenticator' process, had the password ready, but I wasn't directed to where I could enter or even update my password. I followed instructions on the Microsoft website, but none of the places mentioned even exist on my app.

This has happened before, but I was always able to log in with my password. Now I can't. Any help would be appreciated.

Outlook | Outlook for mobile | Outlook for iOS | For home

Answer accepted by question author

  1. EmilyS726 227K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-27T22:51:17.18+00:00

    Hello,

    There has been a service issue earlier today, but looks like it has been resolved, at least with the solution posted here: https://status.cloud.microsoft/

    User impact: iOS users may experience issues accessing Outlook and Hotmail from the default Mail app.

    More info: iOS users on iPhones MUST take the following steps to re-enter their password and access their accounts:

    1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Mail.
    3. Select Accounts under the Mail settings.
    4. Tap on the email account for which you need to reenter the password.
    5. Tap on Account Settings or directly on the Password field (depending on your iOS version).
    6. Enter the updated or correct password in the Password field.
    7. Tap Done to save the changes.
    8. Open the Mail app to confirm that the account is syncing properly and emails are being sent/received.

    Final status: iOS users MUST take the additional steps listed in the "More info" section above to resolve impact. We’ve confirmed service health has returned to normal and reporting users that have completed the additional steps are now able to access Outlook and Hotmail. We'll keep this post up for 24 hours to ensure users are able to review and take the mitigating actions.

    Start time: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 8:45 AM UTC

    End time: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:16 PM UTC

    This is the final update for the event.

    5 people found this answer helpful.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-04-27T22:04:09.92+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Follow these steps on the iPhone to get back to a working sign-in flow and actually enter the password:

    1. Update Outlook for iOS
      Out-of-date apps can cause repeated prompts or missing screens. Install the latest Outlook for iOS from the App Store, then try again.
    2. Use the Microsoft sign-in helper
      Since the account is a Microsoft personal account (Hotmail/Outlook.com), run the sign‑in helper, which detects and fixes most sign‑in issues:
      Go to the Microsoft personal account sign‑in helper and follow the prompts to check the account and credentials. If a problem is detected, follow the steps it gives. If not, it will guide through self‑help steps.
    3. Temporarily sign in via browser to confirm the password
      On the iPhone, open Safari and sign in to Outlook.com (Hotmail) in the browser using the same account. This confirms that the password and any Authenticator prompts work correctly outside the app.
    4. Remove and re‑add the account in Outlook for iOS
      If the password prompt still never appears inside the app:
      • In Outlook for iOS, remove the Hotmail/Outlook.com account from the app.
      • Force‑quit Outlook, then reopen it.
      • Add the account again and follow the sign‑in flow. When prompted, approve any Microsoft Authenticator notification, then the app should complete setup using the confirmed credentials.
    5. If still blocked from signing in
      • If the app repeatedly asks to sign in but never completes, use the sign‑in troubleshooter for Hotmail/Outlook.com: Start troubleshooter from the Hotmail sign‑in help page.
      • If the account itself is blocked due to unusual activity, follow Unblock my Outlook.com account from the Hotmail help article.

    If none of the above works and the account is a work or school account instead of personal Hotmail, use the Reset password link for work/school accounts or contact the organization’s IT admin.

    References:

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