apple keeps ac asking for my hotmail password several times a day on phone and Mac book

Hi, I'm John!

You're not alone, many users are currently experiencing the same issue with Outlook. It appears to be a widespread connectivity problem. Impacted users may include, but are not limited to, iOS users.

You can check the official service status here: https://portal.office.com/servicestatus/ expand “Microsoft consumer products”and look for the Outlook.com section for details.

For now, please wait until Microsoft resolves the issue and try again later.

I really hope this information is helpful!

The repeated password prompts usually mean the account password or authentication method stored on the Apple devices no longer matches what Microsoft expects, or the account is configured with an outdated sign‑in method.

Try these steps:

1. Confirm the Hotmail/Microsoft account password

• On a browser (not on the iPhone or Mac), sign in to Outlook.com or account.microsoft.com using the Hotmail address and password.
• If the password is not accepted, reset it using the Microsoft password recovery tools:
  • https://account.live.com/pw
  • If that fails, use https://account.live.com/acsr

2. If the password was changed recently

• When a password is changed with the email provider (Hotmail/Outlook.com), all apps must be updated with the new password.
• On iPhone and Mac Mail/Outlook, remove the Hotmail account and add it again so they prompt for the new password.

3. Fix Apple Mail using modern authentication (if using Apple Mail, not Outlook app) If the Hotmail account is added in Apple Mail as a generic “Exchange” or “Other” account, it may be using basic authentication, which can cause constant prompts.

• On iPhone:
  1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
  2. Tap the Hotmail/Outlook account and tap Delete Account.
  3. Go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
  4. Choose Outlook.com and sign in.
• If prompts continue on iPhone:
  1. Remove the account again.
  2. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
  3. Reboot the iPhone.
  4. Add the account back as Outlook.com and complete the sign‑in flow.
• On Mac (Apple Mail): remove the Hotmail account from System Settings > Internet Accounts (or Internet Accounts in older macOS), then add it back choosing Outlook.com.

4. If using Outlook for iOS

• When the password is changed, Outlook for iOS should prompt for the new password automatically.
• If it does not, remove the Hotmail account from Outlook for iOS and add it again, then sign in with the current password.

If after these steps the password is accepted in a browser but Apple devices still prompt repeatedly, ensure the account is always added as Outlook.com (using Microsoft’s modern sign‑in) rather than as a manual/IMAP or “Other” account.

References:

• How can I recover my password for Microsoft accounts, including Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, MSN, Onenote, etc.?
• Outlook and other apps are unable to connect to Outlook.com when using Basic authentication
• Updating your email account password.
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup