syncing outlook with iphone

Question

My email on my PC & Mac is not syncing with my iphone. the comcast server is not being recognized. When I try - it says it can't connect and has me use the mail.comcast.net server vs imap.comcast.net (correct) server.

what is up?

Answer 1

Hi Ellen Caya

I understand how frustrating it is when the same Comcast account works on one device but won't sync properly in Outlook.

Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, could you confirm:

• Does the Comcast account still send and receive emails normally on your iPhone?
• Are you seeing this issue in both Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Mac?
• What is the exact error message Outlook displays when the connection fails?

If you're using a Comcast personal email account configured as IMAP in Classic Outlook, and the account works on your iPhone but not in Outlook for Windows or Mac, you can try the following troubleshooting steps in Classic Outlook first:

1, Verify the server settings in Outlook:

• Incoming server: "imap.comcast.net"
• Port: "993"
• Encryption: "SSL/TLS"
• Outgoing server: "smtp.comcast.net"
• Port: "465" (SSL) or "587" (TLS)

2, In Outlook, go to "File" > "Account Settings" > "Account Settings", select the Comcast account, and choose "Repair" or "Change" to confirm the settings above are still being used.

3, If Outlook automatically changes the server name to "mail.comcast.net", remove the account and re-add it using manual setup instead of automatic account detection.

Please let me know if you have any updates and thank you for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

To get Outlook on Windows and Mac syncing correctly with the Comcast account that is also on the iPhone, verify and correct the account type and server settings in Outlook so they match Comcast’s IMAP settings.

1. Confirm the account type in classic Outlook (Windows):
   1. Open Outlook.
   2. Select File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   3. On the Email tab, check the Type column for the Comcast account. It should be IMAP if using imap.comcast.net.
   4. If it is not IMAP, remove the account and re-add it as an IMAP account.
2. Check the server settings in Outlook (Windows):
   1. In Account Settings, select the Comcast account and choose Change.
   2. Ensure the Incoming mail server is set to the correct IMAP server (for Comcast, this is typically the IMAP host provided by Comcast, not mail.comcast.net if that is a POP host).
   3. Ensure the Outgoing mail server (SMTP) is set to the correct SMTP host from Comcast.
   4. If classic Outlook is not syncing messages and folders, verify that the correct account type is used (IMAP for a non-Microsoft provider) as described above.
3. Check advanced mailbox settings (if using the Windows Mail/Calendar apps as well):
   1. Collect the required information from Comcast (incoming/outgoing server names, ports, SSL requirements, and whether the outgoing server requires authentication).
   2. In the app’s account settings, open Advanced mailbox settings and ensure:
      • Incoming and outgoing server addresses match Comcast’s documentation.
      • Ports and SSL options match Comcast’s requirements.
      • Outgoing server authentication is enabled if Comcast requires it.
4. Verify Outlook for Mac settings (if using Outlook for Mac):
   1. On the Tools menu, select Accounts.
   2. Select the Comcast account in the left pane.
   3. Confirm the Outgoing server and other settings match Comcast’s IMAP/SMTP details.
   4. Make sure the email address, username, and password are correct.

If the account still does not connect using imap.comcast.net, contact Comcast to confirm the correct IMAP and SMTP server names, ports, and security options and then update Outlook to match those values.

---

References:

• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Resolve sync issues in Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 10
• I can't send or receive messages with Outlook for Mac
• Outlook for iOS and Android FAQ