Hotmail account stopped working iPhone & Mac

#Hotmail Account Stopped Working on iPhone & Mac-2025: Causes and FixesWhy Hotmail stopped working on both iPhone and Mac

When Hotmail stops working on multiple Apple devices simultaneously, it tends to hint toward a common root cause-almost always one of these:

1. Microsoft security update invalidated old sign-in tokens** - Microsoft has increased the security of Outlook.com/Hotmail. Older Apple Mail connections might abruptly fail.
2. Account was added as "Other/IMAP/POP" instead of Exchange**: That older setup is more likely to break after server-side changes.3. **Password changed or Microsoft requested verification**. Even if your password is correct, Microsoft may require a fresh login or app password. 4. **iOS/macOS update caused a Mail sync conflict.** Mail at times keeps stale credentials after updates until you reset the account profile.5. **Mailbox or Microsoft cloud storage is full.** When storage is maxed, sync or incoming mail can stall.

Because this is happening both on iPhone and on Mac, the fixes that refresh the Microsoft connection are the most effective.

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Solution 1: See if Hotmail works on the web

Before changing any device settings, check first if the account itself is okay.

• Do this:**
• Open Safari/ Chrome → sign in at Outlook.com* If web login fails, you probably need a password reset or some security verification.
• If web login works, the issue is strictly Apple Mail configuration.
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• Solution 2: Re-sign in with your Microsoft password Quick refresh

If Microsoft invalidated your session, then both devices could keep prompting.

On iPhone1. **Settings → Mail → Accounts**

2. Tap **Hotmail/Outlook**

3. Tap **Re-enter Password** if available. On Mac

1. Open **Mail**

2. **Mail → Settings/Preferences → Accounts**

3. Select Hotmail and retype password when prompted.

If the prompts continue to loop, proceed to Fix 3.

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• Fix 3: Remove and re-add Hotmail as Microsoft Exchange - The Best Universal fixThis is the #1 fix recommended across Apple and Microsoft support threads: it rebuilds your account profile with modern authentication. On iPhone1. **Settings → Mail → Accounts**2. Tap your Hotmail account

3. Tap **Delete Account

4. Restart iPhone5. Go to **Add Account → Outlook.com** or **Microsoft Exchange**6. Sign in again. On Mac1. Open **Mail**

2. **Mail → Settings/Preferences → Accounts**

3. Select Hotmail

4. Click **– (minus)** to remove it

5. Re-add via **System Settings → Internet Accounts → Microsoft Exchange**

6. Sign in and enable Mail.

Important: Don't select "Other Mail Account" unless you absolutely have to. Exchange/Outlook.com is the path for Hotmail now. -Solution 4: If you have 2-step verification enabled, generate an App Password

If you know your password is correct, but Apple Mail doesn't accept it, Microsoft may require an "app password" for legacy clients such as iOS/macOS Mail.

• Steps**
1. Sign into your Microsoft Account on the web
2. Go to **Security → Advanced security options**
3. Generate an **App Password**4. Use that password when re-adding your Hotmail account on the iPhone and Mac.
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• Fix 5: Check for correct server type & sync settings

If you *must* configure manually (rare), use IMAP—not POP.

Correct IMAP / SMTP for Hotmail

• Incoming IMAP: `imap-mail.outlook.com` port **993**, SSL on
• Outgoing SMTP: `smtp-mail.outlook.com` port **587**, TLS onMicrosoft's Mac Mail setup guide verifies Exchange/IMAP compatibility on macOS.

If your account shows POP, delete and re-add as Exchange. It's the most fragile and causes missing mail across devices.

• Fix 6: Hotmail not syncing / not receiving

After re-adding, make sure to allow Apple Mail to fetch new data.

iPhone Fetch & Push

1. Settings → Mail → Accounts → Fetch New Data**
2. Click **Push ON**3. Set Fetch to **Automatic** or to **Every 15 Minutes**.

Mac Mail Sync

1. Mail → Settings → Accounts**
2. Under Account Information, make sure **Enable this account** is checked
3. Set **Mailbox Behaviors / Synchronize** to keep messages up to date.
• 7. Check storage limits

If your iPhone/Mac can't download new mail:

• Check Microsoft storage, which has a full storage condition that can stop new mail from appearing.
• On iPhone: **Settings → General → iPhone Storage**
• On Mac: Apple menu → **System Settings → General → Storage**

Clear large attachments, and empty the Deleted/Junk folders.

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8. Update iOS, macOS, and the Mail/Outlook Apps

Compatibility outages are usually quietly patched.

• iPhone: **Settings → General → Software Update
• Mac: **System Settings → General → Software Update
• If using Outlook app, update via App Store.
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Outlook app as fallback - Fix 9

If Apple Mail continues to fail with all of the above, the **Microsoft Outlook app** generally works because it uses Microsoft-native authentication and synchronization.

Install Outlook on iPhone and Mac, then sign in with your Hotmail address.---# FAQ: Hotmail Not Working on iPhone and Mac

• Q1. Why did my Hotmail stop working on both devices at once?

That is because Microsoft updated security or invalidated old authentication tokens, and Apple Mail stored the old profile on your devices. Re-adding as Exchange fixes it.

Q2. Hotmail works on the web but not on Apple Mail—what does that mean? Your account is fine, but Apple Mail's server profile is outdated or corrupted. Delete and re-add through Outlook.com/Microsoft Exchange.

• Q3. Why does Hotmail keep asking for a password on iPhone/Mac? Usually a token loop after a security change. Removing the account and adding it again as Exchange stops repeated prompts.
• Q4. Do I need IMAP or Exchange for Hotmail on Apple devices? Setup through Exchange/Outlook.com is preferable and most stable. IMAP works too, but POP should be avoided.
• Q5. What if I have two-step verification? Create a Microsoft **App Password** and use it when adding Hotmail to Apple Mail.
• Q6. My Hotmail isn’t receiving new emails on iPhone. What should I check? Push/Fetch settings, sync window, and storage. Enable Push and set Fetch to Automatic.
• Q7. Why are some emails missing on Mac but visible on iPhone? Sync window differences or a POP setup on one device. Set **Mail Days to Sync → No Limit** and ensure both devices use Exchange/IMAP.

Q8: If nothing works, what's the clean reset? 1. Remove Hotmail from iPhone and Mac 2. Restart both devices 3. Add account again through **Microsoft Exchange / Outlook.com** 4. If blocked, check identity on Microsoft web login first.

• Takeaway When a **Hotmail account stopped working on iPhone & Mac**, the fix is almost always the same: **wipe the old Apple Mail profile and re-add it as Microsoft Exchange/Outlook.com.** That aligns both devices with Microsoft's current security and sync rules, and restores sending/receiving in minutes.

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