cannot set up a MS Exchange account on my new iphone 17

Question

I've been using the mail app on my iphones for years, linking to my MS exchange account.

I think previously the account was set up automatically simply by choosing 'Exchange' from the list of options and entering my email address and pw.

But now this doesn't work.

I've tried Exchange, then I get asked to enter username marked as 'required' suddenly, so I do that - using my email address again. I've tried entering my domain name srpi.net, or not.

Then the server field appears as 'required'. I don't know what my server name is, so I tried outlook.office365.com, the server name I found in my desktop (Mac) version of Outlook (but that also has a port id which cannot be entered. Either way that doesn't work either.

I tried setting up the new mail account as as Outlook account instead, but that keeps returning to the same screen where i choose what type of email account I want to set up. it eventually times out or I cancel and it says unable to set up account.

I have 2 factor auth set up on my MS id, so I have to use the MS Auth app to login quite often. Maybe that's causing some confusion.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Hi @Ian Maxwell 

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum.  

Based on your description, it appears that your Exchange account is an Exchange Online account. 

In this case, when adding the account in Internet Accounts, I strongly recommend selecting Sign in instead of Configure manually. I tested this on my device and was able to add the account successfully using the Sign in option. 

To add your Exchange account to the iOS Mail app, please follow the steps outlined in the following Microsoft Support article: Set up an Outlook account on the iOS Mail app - Microsoft Support 

 

Additionally, please verify that your mailbox is still working properly by signing in to Outlook on the web at: https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/ 

This will help confirm that the account is active and functioning as expected. 

I hope this provides some helpful insight. If you have any updates or further questions, please feel free to reach out 

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Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with setting up your Microsoft Exchange account on your new iPhone 17. Here are some steps and considerations that may help you resolve the problem:

1. Autodiscover: Normally, the Autodiscover feature should automatically configure your account. Ensure that your email address is entered correctly. If Autodiscover fails, you may need to set up your account manually.
2. Username and Domain: When prompted for the username, you typically need to enter your full email address. The domain name is often not required unless specified by your organization. If you are unsure, try leaving the domain field blank.
3. Server Name: The server name for Exchange accounts is usually the same as your Outlook on the web server name without the /owa. For many organizations, this is something like mail.contoso.com. If you are using Office 365, outlook.office365.com is correct.
4. Two-Factor Authentication: Since you have two-factor authentication enabled, ensure that you are using an app password if required. Sometimes, standard passwords may not work with two-factor authentication enabled.
5. Manual Setup: If automatic setup continues to fail, consider following the manual setup instructions provided by Microsoft. You can find detailed steps for setting up your email in the Outlook app or directly in the iPhone's mail settings.
6. Check Exchange ActiveSync: Ensure that Exchange ActiveSync is enabled for your account, as this is necessary for mobile device access.

If you continue to face issues, it might be helpful to consult your IT department or refer to Microsoft support resources for further assistance.

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References:

• Can't create a mail profile on an iOS device by using Autodiscover
• Account setup with modern authentication in Exchange Online
• A mobile device can't connect to Exchange Online by using Exchange ActiveSync