receiving and sending mail thru outlook on a Mac

Dear Ava Foster,

Thank you for reaching out to the Q&A Forum!

It sounds like you're having trouble with your Verizon.net email in Legacy Outlook on your MacBook Pro, specifically with messages about the server being unavailable or incorrect login details. I understand how frustrating it can be when your email stops working!

This is a common issue since Verizon email accounts were migrated to AOL Mail. The good news is, we can usually fix this by updating your email settings in Outlook and using a special "app password" from AOL.

Why This Is Happening

Previously, your Verizon.net email was handled directly by Verizon. Now, it's managed by AOL Mail. This means we need to update your Outlook settings to use AOL's servers. Also, for security, AOL often requires a unique "app password" for third-party mail programs like Outlook, rather than your regular AOL account password.

Let's Get Your Email Working Again

Step 1: Generate an AOL App Password

You'll need to get a special password from AOL for Outlook.

1. Open your web browser and go to the AOL account security page
2. Log in with your Verizon.net email address and your usual AOL password.
3. If you have two-step verification enabled, you might need to confirm your identity.
4. Look for the option to "Generate app password" or "Manage app passwords."
5. From the dropdown menu, select "Outlook Desktop" or a similar option, then click "Generate."
6. A unique, temporary password will appear on your screen. Copy this password immediately! You'll only see it once. This is the password we'll use in Outlook.

 Step 2: Update Your Account Settings in Outlook

Now, let's put that new password and the correct server settings into Outlook.

1. Open Outlook on your MacBook Pro.
2. In the top menu bar, click Outlook, then select Preferences.
3. Click on Accounts.
4. On the left side, select your Verizon.net email account.
5. Now, update the settings with the following information. I recommend using IMAP as it keeps your email synchronized across all devices.
   For IMAP:
   • Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com
     • Port: 993
       • Encryption Method: SSL/TLS
         • Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.aol.com
           • Port: 465 (or sometimes 587 if 465 doesn't work)
             • Encryption Method: SSL/TLS
               • Username (both incoming and outgoing): Your full ******@verizon.net email address.
                 • Password (both incoming and outgoing): The app password you generated in Step 1.
                 1. Make sure the option for "Outgoing server requires authentication" is checked and set to "Use same settings as my incoming mail server."
                 2. Click "More Options" or "Advanced" to double-check that all port and encryption settings match the details above.
                 3. Save your changes.

Final Check

After saving the changes, try sending a test email to yourself. Also, check to see if new emails are coming in.

I hope these steps provide some immediate relief and guidance. I recognize the importance of reliable email service, and I'm here to help you through these troubleshooting steps.

Please let me know how these suggestions work for you, or if you'd like assistance in navigating Microsoft's support channels.

Warm regards, 

Kal Duong | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

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