Android email kept getting authentication failed error with Outlook.office365.com IMAP server

Question

Hi,

Android, fairemail, using hotmail email account with IMAP and app password. Worked fine a long time.

The error started a few days ago. Initially it's every hour or so.

I changed my hotmail password, deleted existing app password and generated new one. It was good for a few hours. Then it got worse. Every few minutes the error will show up. I tried to delete the account and added it back via IMAP. Same error.

If I added back as hotmail (office 365), it works fine. No error. However, all folders I created won't show up.

Is there some kind of settings I need to change?

Thanks

Answer 1

I'm having the same issue with a Pixel 7 Pro running Android 14, and only with my Outlook email account. The error states: 'Outlook/account' failed

The email server said: 'AUTHENTICATE failed.'

Update:

Apparently MS was already aware of this issue. This is from FairEmail:

Microsoftagainrevoked many access tokens / passwords for Outlook/Hotmail/Live accounts for unknown reasons. This results in the error message 'AUTHENTICATE failed'.You can authenticate an account again by using the quick setup wizard (button) in the main settings screen. You can go to the settings via the navigation menu (left side menu) of the start screen of the app.Note that app passwords are now more often rejected by Microsoft, for example when using mobile internet or a VPN. This is not something that the app can change.Update: Microsoftfinally acknowledgedthe problem.

This is the link to Microsoft's acknowledgement:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/outlook-and-other-apps-are-unable-to-connect-to-outlook-com-f4202ebf-89c6-4a8a-bec3-3d60cf7deaef

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

I am experiencing the same issue on a Samsung S23 running Android 14. However, I've also replicated it on an older phone running Android 8.1, so that would seem to suggest the issue isn't with the phone.

I also deleted and re-added the account, but as an Office365/Exchange Active Sync account. I have noticed that if I leave it alone when the authentication error pops up (don't change the password) it resolves itself for a period of time and then reoccurs.

I do have the Outlook app installed but use it for work email and would like to keep my work and personal emails completely separate, so hope there is a suggested a solution where I can keep using a third party app for Outlook.com/Hotmail.com emails.

Answer 3

I am also still having the problem, although with less frequency. Android 14 on a Pixel 6. (From Toronto, Canada)

Answer 4

Hello,

issue still persists at least with BlackBerry Hub on Android and TbSync on Thunderbird on different devices with Exchange Active Sync protocol. I completely removed all app passwords, created new ones, completely deleted the account from the devices, but I'm still not able to authenticate with enabled 2FA. The "RESOLVED" status is NOT true.

Please post an update of the status.

Thank you!

Answer 5

I have the same issue for about a week or two. Both with my Outlook app, and BlackBerry Inbox.

The problem is intermittent.

All software is up to date.

Android 14, Pixel 6.

(Side note- about 1 month ago had problems with Quicken on my Windows laptop. Solution is to stop OneDrive synchronization...)