The IMAP password prompt means the mail app can no longer sign in to the email provider with the stored (now invalid) password. The concealed password in the settings cannot be revealed; it must be reset at the email provider, then updated in the app.
Follow these steps:
- Reset the email account password at the provider
- Go to the website for the IMAP email provider (for example, Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo, or the provider’s own site) in a browser.
- Use the provider’s “forgot password” or account security page to set a new password.
- If this is an iCloud, Outlook.com/Hotmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, Gmail, Exchange, or generic IMAP account, use the appropriate password-reset path described here:
- iCloud: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201487
- Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live: https://account.live.com/password/reset
- Microsoft 365: https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/
- Yahoo: the Yahoo security page linked from https://login.yahoo.com
- Gmail: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/41078?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
- Exchange: contact the IT admin.
- Other IMAP: use the IMAP provider’s own reset link or contact them.
- Update the password in Outlook/Mail on iPhone and iPad
- After the password is changed at the provider, Outlook for iOS or the built‑in Mail app will detect a sync error and prompt for the new password.
- When prompted, enter the new password.
- If the app does not prompt or still fails, remove the IMAP account from the app and add it again using the new password.
- If setting up IMAP manually in Outlook for iOS
- In Outlook for iOS, go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Email Account.
- Enter the email address and choose IMAP if asked to select a provider.
- Turn on Use Advanced Settings and enter the IMAP server, port, and security settings from the email provider.
- Enter the new password and tap Sign In.
Note: When an email account password is changed and that account is also used as a Microsoft account, sign-in may be required again in other Microsoft apps and sites.
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