Can't add hotmail to new iphone

Question

I upgraded my iPhone and can't add my hotmail account to the apple mail server. It gets stuck in a loop and won't allow me to verify myself and locks up. I've reset the phone 3 times and nothing changed.

Answer 1

Hi ROBERT SCHULTZ, 

I can imagine how frustrating it is when the account setup keeps looping and won’t let you complete the verification. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI generated answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. 

To help narrow this down a bit, could you let me know: 

• Are you able to sign in to the same Hotmail account normally at Outlook on the web from a browser? 
• On the new iPhone, does the issue happen only in the Apple Mail app, or do you also see it if you try signing in through Safari? 
• Do you get any specific message before it freezes, such as a verification prompt, password prompt, or permission request? 
• Is two-step verification enabled on the account? 
• Which iPhone model and iOS version are you using right now? 

In the meantime, you can try the steps below: 

1. Confirm the account itself signs in normally in a browser on the iPhone 

• Open Safari and sign in to Outlook on the web with the Hotmail account. 

2. Remove the account from Mail if it was only partially added 

• On the iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts and remove the Hotmail/Outlook account if it already appears there. 

3. Add the account again using the Microsoft path 

• Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Add Account, then choose the Microsoft provider option and continue the sign-in flow. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

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Answer 2

Follow these steps on the new iPhone to break the loop and add the Hotmail (Outlook.com) account correctly using modern authentication:

1. Remove any partially added Outlook/Hotmail account from Apple Mail:
   1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
   2. Tap the Outlook/Hotmail account (if present).
   3. Tap Delete Account.
2. Clear any cached sign-in data that may be causing the loop:
   1. Go to Settings > Safari.
   2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
   3. Confirm.
   4. Reboot the iPhone.
3. Add the Hotmail account back in Apple Mail using the Outlook.com option (this forces modern auth/OAuth instead of basic auth):
   1. Go to Settings > Mail.
   2. Tap Accounts > Add Account.
   3. Choose Outlook.com.
   4. Sign in with the Hotmail address and password on the Microsoft sign-in page.
   5. If prompted, approve any two-step verification request.
   6. When asked “Let this app access your info?”, choose Yes.
   7. Make sure Mail (and optionally Contacts, Calendars, Reminders) are enabled, then tap Save.

If the loop or verification problem continues after this, use the Outlook app instead of Apple Mail:

1. Install Microsoft Outlook from the iOS App Store.
2. Open Outlook and go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Email Account.
3. Enter the Hotmail address, tap Add Account, then sign in and approve any verification prompts.
4. When asked to let Outlook access the account info, choose Yes.

This ensures the account uses modern authentication, which is required for Outlook.com/Hotmail and avoids basic-auth sign-in failures that can cause loops and lockouts.

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References:

• Add your Outlook.com account to another mail app or smart device
• Outlook and other apps are unable to connect to Outlook.com when using Basic authentication
• Modern Authentication Methods now needed to continue syncing Outlook Email in non-Microsoft email apps
• Set up the Outlook app for iOS
• Cannot login to my outlook account from iphone even though details are correct - Microsoft Q&A