Email sync issues Outlook

Question

Hi my name is [PII: Removed],

I would appreciate help with syncing mail addresses.

I have (3) email accounts Windows, Gmail an my Big pond

Outlook App is what i use as my main source of gathering my emails, it will not accept my Big pond.

I have tried several solutions to sync my Big pond, app password , My Bigpond is rejected by Imap and pop up.

Sync error try again my service provider is Telstra, mail appears on the webmail or Telstra mail app.

Is there a way to sync the (3) addresses so that i don't have to hunt around for my mail sources.

Thanks

[PII: Removed]

Answer 1

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Dear Gordon Gillam

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand you are using New Outlook for Windows with three accounts (Microsoft, Gmail, and BigPond/Telstra), and only BigPond fails to sync (IMAP/POP rejected). I am happy to assist you. 

When adding BigPond in New Outlook, does it fail on receiving (IMAP), sending (SMTP), or both? Please reply with the exact error text shown. 

Have you tried the AI given steps? Please also follow these steps: 

• Remove and re‑add the BigPond account in New Outlook 
  • New Outlook > View (gear) > Accounts > Your accounts > locate BigPond > Manage > Remove. Then choose Add account and enter the BigPond address. If auto‑detect fails, choose the manual/IMAP option and complete sign‑in.  
• If New Outlook still rejects the connection, test in Classic Outlook 
  • Switch back to Classic Outlook and add the account there. If needed, open Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts to review/change account settings and run “Test Account Settings.” This uses Outlook’s built‑in test to confirm whether the provider accepts your credentials/server details.  
• Keep all accounts in one place in New Outlook 
  • New Outlook supports Microsoft, Gmail, and other providers via IMAP/POP; once BigPond is added successfully, you can manage all three addresses side‑by‑side.  
• If it still fails in both apps 
  • This indicates the provider is rejecting authentication/connection. For non‑Microsoft accounts, some providers require changes on their own site (for example, enabling external app access or using a special app password). For those settings, please contact your mail provider to confirm what’s required, then retry the steps above.  

Please tell me how it goes. Look forward to hearing from you. Have a lovely day!   

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Answer 2

To have all three addresses (Windows/Microsoft account, Gmail, and BigPond/Telstra) in Outlook on Windows, each account must be added with the correct account type and server settings, and the provider must support the authentication methods Outlook requires.

Based on the context:

1. Confirm the correct account type for each address
   • Microsoft/Windows address (e.g., @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com): add it in Outlook using the Outlook.com/Microsoft account option, not IMAP/POP or generic Exchange. This ensures full mail and folder sync.
   • Gmail: add it using the built‑in Gmail/Google option in Outlook so that modern authentication is used.
   • BigPond/Telstra: this typically uses IMAP or POP. Because IMAP/POP only sync email (not calendar/contacts), it will appear only as mail in Outlook.
2. Understand IMAP/POP limitations
   • IMAP and POP can only sync email, not calendar or contacts. This is by design and applies to BigPond if it is exposed only as IMAP/POP.
   • Calendar and contacts sync in Outlook require a provider that supports Exchange ActiveSync or an Exchange/Microsoft 365/Outlook.com account.
3. Check advanced mailbox settings for BigPond Since BigPond is rejected when trying IMAP/POP, verify the exact server details from Telstra and then in Outlook:
   • Collect from Telstra:
     • Incoming server name and port (IMAP or POP)
     • Outgoing server (SMTP) name and port
     • Whether incoming and outgoing servers require SSL
     • Whether outgoing server requires authentication and if it uses the same username/password as incoming
   • In Outlook (Mail app or account settings), open the advanced mailbox settings for the BigPond account and ensure these values match Telstra’s documented settings exactly. If any value is wrong (server name, port, SSL, auth), Outlook will fail to sync.
4. Modern authentication considerations
   • For non‑Microsoft email apps or older configurations, Outlook now requires modern authentication for Outlook.com and Microsoft 365 accounts. For third‑party providers (like Telstra/BigPond), confirm with Telstra that their IMAP/POP/SMTP endpoints and security settings are compatible with Outlook’s current requirements.
   • If Telstra’s mail app or webmail works but Outlook fails, Telstra support should confirm the correct settings and whether any app‑specific password or special configuration is required for desktop Outlook.
5. Practical steps to get all three in one place
   1. Remove any failed/incorrect BigPond profile from Outlook.
   2. Re‑add:
      • Microsoft account using the Outlook.com/Microsoft option.
      • Gmail using the Gmail/Google option.
      • BigPond using manual/advanced setup, entering Telstra’s IMAP or POP and SMTP settings exactly as provided.
   3. After adding, send a test email to and from each account to confirm that Outlook is sending and receiving correctly.

If BigPond continues to be rejected even with Telstra’s documented IMAP/POP/SMTP settings, Telstra support must confirm whether there are any current restrictions or changes on their side that prevent Outlook desktop from connecting.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Can't sync calendar and contacts with my phone or tablet
• Sync your account in Outlook to the Microsoft Cloud
• Resolve sync issues in Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 10
• Modern Authentication Methods now needed to continue syncing Outlook Email in non-Microsoft email apps