Apple Mail Setup (Desktop)

Published January 20, 2025

Apple Mail is a popular email client that comes standard on every Mac computer. In this tutorial, we cover how to add your email account(s) and start using this software.

Operating System Availability
MacOS only

Step 1 - Locate and open Apple Mail

Apple Mail comes pre installed with your Mac computer. If it is not already in the dock, either open Spotlight (the built in MacOS search utility) or go to Launchpad and open Apple Mail from there.

It is also a good idea to add Apple Mail to the Dock at this time. To do so, right click on the Mail icon and choose the option to Add to Dock.

Apple Mail Choose Account Provider

Step 2 - Add an Email Account

With the Apple Mail app open, look at the top of your screen where the menu bar is located and click on Mail (next to the Apple logo) and click on Add Account.

You will be asked to choose a Mail Provider from the list of options.

The first 5 options should be self explanatory. If you are are connecting an email account from your Evolve Web Hosting Account, choose other mail account and click Continue.

Enter your Name, Email Address and Password for the Email Account and click Sign in.

Add Apple Mail Account Connection Details
Apple Mail App Account Configuration

Step 3 - Verify Connection Details

Apple Mail will attempt to locate and verify the connection settings to the server. If it is unable to do so, manually enter the missing information and click Sign in again.

If you don't know the settings, reach out to your email provider or web hosting provider to get the correct information.

POP3 and IMAP Explained
POP3 - POP3 was a protocol commonly used before we had smart phones and tablets. This protocol downloads your email messages from the email server to your device that you are using to check your email account. The messages are then removed from the email server and stored on your device. This means that if you have more than 1 device, you won't see the downloaded messages ever on the other devices.
IMAP - IMAP is the recommended protocol. When you choose IMAP, it means that all of your messages stay on the email server. They are 'mirrored' or shown the same way on all of your devices that you connect from. If you receive an email and look at it on your phone, it will also be there on your desktop when you want to look at the message again later.

Apple Mail Apps Selection

Step 4 - Select the apps you want to use with this account

You need to leave the box checked for Mail and the Notes is optional. Click Done and you will now see your email account loading.

Repeat the process for each additional email account you want to add. There is no limit to the number of accounts you can add.

Editing Existing Account

Go to Mail -> Accounts (all the way at the top of your screen to the left next to the Apple Logo) while Apple Mail is open or go to System Settings -> Internet Accounts (Click the Apple Logo in the upper left corner of your screen) if you don't have Apple Mail open. From here, choose the Account you wish to edit and click Details on the next screen. From here, you can edit Description which is shown in Apple Mail to you only and Name which is the Name that recipients will see when you send them an email. You can also update your password here if / when needed.

Apple Mail Settings

Go to Mail -> Settings (all the way at the top of your screen to the left next to the Apple Logo) while Apple Mail is open

Here, you can configure many different settings including signatures, mail rules, spam filtering, privacy options and more.

Apple Mail Choose Account Provider