Mac Mail Stopped Working? Fix iCloud, SMTP & Sync Issues Fast (2025 Guide)
- marketing953694
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
TL;DR Summary If your Mac Mail app stopped working, you're not alone. This guide covers how to fix syncing issues, SMTP errors, iCloud login failures, and more. You'll learn step-by-step how to reconfigure email settings, sync across devices, and get your mail flowing again—fast.
Mac Mail Not Working? Here's What You Need to Know
Mac users often face email issues after system updates or server changes. Whether it’s iCloud failing to sync or Gmail not sending, this guide provides a full breakdown of fixes for 2025.
Why Is My Mac Mail Not Updating?
The most common reason is either a server misconfiguration or a corrupted cache. Start by checking these settings:
Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet
Verify email credentials under Mail > Preferences > Accounts
Toggle account sync off and on again
Restart your Mail app (see next section for steps)
Pro Tip: If you're using Gmail, ensure IMAP is enabled in your Google account.
How to Force Quit and Restart Mail on Mac
Sometimes, Mail just needs a hard reset. Here's how to do it:
Open Activity Monitor (via Spotlight)
Search for "Mail"
Select it and click the X in the upper-left
Reopen the Mail app from Applications
Still stuck? Try rebooting your entire Mac and clearing the Mail cache manually.
Messages Not Syncing Across Devices?
This is often caused by outdated iCloud settings. Fix it in three steps:
Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Mail
Toggle Mail OFF, wait 10 seconds, then turn it ON
Ensure your iPhone or other devices use the same Apple ID and have Mail enabled in iCloud
Need help configuring iCloud Mail? Contact MicroSec® now.
SMTP Server Issues? Here's the Fix
If you're getting "Cannot Send Mail" or "Server Rejected" errors, your SMTP settings may be misconfigured.
Gmail SMTP Configuration:
Server: smtp.gmail.com
Port: 587 (or 465 for SSL)
Authentication: Required
Username: your Gmail address
Password: your Gmail password or App Password
Outlook/Hotmail SMTP:
Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
Port: 587
SSL Required: Yes
Check your SMTP setup under: Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Server Settings
iCloud Mail Not Sending or Receiving?
Here's what to check first:
Sign out of iCloud: System Settings > Apple ID > Sign Out
Restart your Mac
Sign back in and enable Mail in iCloud settings
Check Apple’s System Status page to see if there's an outage
If all else fails, remove the iCloud account from Internet Accounts and re-add it.
How to Configure Mail Server on iPhone or Mac
For manual email configuration:
iPhone
Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account
Choose "Other"
Enter your name, email, password, and description
Configure the incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) servers
Mac
Go to System Settings > Internet Accounts
Add a new account or edit existing account settings
Double-check SMTP and IMAP details
📲 Need to sync Gmail with your iPhone? See our full setup guide
How to Add Gmail or Hotmail to Apple Mail
Adding new accounts is easier than ever:
Go to System Settings > Internet Accounts
Click + Add Account
Choose Gmail or Outlook
Sign in and approve access
Enable Mail, Contacts, Calendars, etc.
If you're using 2FA, make sure to use App-Specific Passwords.
Why Is My Email Not Sending on Mac?
This could be due to SMTP errors, login authentication issues, or system bugs.
Try this checklist:
Re-authenticate with your email password
Update Mail app (via Software Update)
Check for VPN/firewall interference
Re-add the mail account entirely
Tip: Restarting your WiFi router can also help.
How to Sync Mail with iPhone
Mail not syncing with iPhone? Here’s how to fix it:
Ensure both Mac and iPhone use the same Apple ID
On iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts and verify the account is listed
Enable Push or set to Fetch under Settings > Mail > Fetch New Data
Still not syncing? Sign out of iCloud on both devices and sign back in.
Find My SMTP Server: How to Check Your Settings
Sometimes you forget your SMTP server name. Here’s how to locate it:
Open Mail > Preferences > Accounts
Click your account, then Server Settings
Under "Outgoing Mail Account (SMTP)," note the server name and port
Use that to double-check or share with your IT provider.
How to Login to iMessage on Mac
Trouble logging into iMessage? Here’s the fix:
Open Messages > Preferences > iMessage
Sign in with your Apple ID
If it fails, log out of Apple ID from System Settings and log back in
Enable 2FA if required
If Messages keeps crashing, reinstall macOS or restore from a Time Machine backup.
Get Your Email Fixed Today Call Us for Immediate Support
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Email Hold You Back
From syncing issues to SMTP server misconfigurations, email problems can grind your productivity to a halt. But with this step-by-step guide, you can get back on track fast.
For more help:
Comments