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Fix Accessing AOL Mail Through Third-Party Applications: Complete Troubleshooting Guide (2025)

  Mohit Kumar Jha
Written By Mohit Kumar Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Modified On November 17th, 2025
Reading Time 8 Min Read

Accessing AOL Mail through third-party apps like Outlook, Thunderbird, or mobile mail clients can sometimes be tricky. I’ve faced issues like login errors or the IMAP folder is not syncing. In this guide, I’ll share how I resolved the “accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications” issue in minutes.

For the same reason, you don’t need any technical knowledge, as all the tricks can be performed by any skill level. By the end of the article, you will have all the answers to the related query, even AOL Mail will no longer support third-party applications also discuss. But do you know why this error occurs? If not, then first let me explain the same.

Let’s explore:

Why AOL Mail Fails to Work in Third-Party Applications

Before moving to the fixes, first understand why you are facing access errors, which helps you to prevent this in future:

  • AOL now requires App Passwords for many third-party apps because they don’t support OAuth.
  • Incorrect IMAP/SMTP server settings.
  • Two-step verification is enabled but not configured in the email client.
  • Outdated email applications, like older versions of Outlook, Apple Mail, or Android clients.
  • Security blocks triggered by AOL due to suspicious login attempts.
  • CAPTCHA blocks prevent app authentication.

These are the main factors that lead to this issue. Next, I’ll provide insights on how to resolve it.

How I Fix Accessing AOL Mail Through Third-Party Applications Step by Step

When I faced this issue, I researched SERP and read troubleshooting articles to resolve this. Fortunately, I found some working tricks, which help me to fix it in minutes. Here are all of them:

#Step 1. Check AOL’s IMAP/SMTP Settings

AOL requires specific server configurations. If not done properly, it leads to the IMAP authentication failed issue. So verify the settings:

IMAP (Incoming Mail)

  • Server: imap.aol.com
  • Port: 993
  • Security: SSL/TLS
  • Username: Full AOL email address
  • Password: Either your main password (if OAuth-supported) or an App Password

SMTP (Outgoing Mail)

  • Server: smtp.aol.com
  • Port: 465
  • Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication: Required
  • Username: Full AOL email address
  • Password: Same as above

If these don’t match exactly, the app won’t connect. Additionally, if you identify this as the issue, resolve it promptly. Otherwise, move next. 

#Step 2. Generate an App Password

This is the method that works 99% of the time when AOL not working on Mac or Windows’ Outlook or older apps. To revolve “accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications,” quickly follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to the AOL account.
  2. Go to Account Security.
  3. Enable Two-step verification, if not already enabled.
  4. Click Generate App Password.
  5. Choose the app name like Outlook.
  6. Copy the 16-digit password shown.
  7. Paste this password directly into the email app.

This is crucial because AOL no longer accepts your main password in many apps. This is the reason AOL Mail will no longer support third-party applications. When you use the app password, you resolved this query. 

#Step 3. Ensure Two-Step Verification Isn’t Blocking Logins

If you turned on 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), AOL requires OAuth, which many apps do not support.

In older apps, you must use an App Password.

In modern apps that support OAuth, like newer Outlook versions, just sign in normally using the pop-up browser.

#Step 4. Clear Previous AOL Login Data in Outlook or Apple Mail

Sometimes stored credentials cause conflicts. To fix accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications:

  • In Outlook:
    • Windows: 
      • Go to Settings.
      • Click on the Accounts > Email.
      • Select the Remove the AOL account
      • Press the Add it again.
    • Mac: 
      • Open Tools.
      • Go to the Accounts option, and click on it.
      • Select the Delete AOL account > Re-add with IMAP.
  • In Apple Mail:
    • Open Mail.
    • Then click Preferences > Accounts.
    • Select AOL, and Remove.

Remember, whenever you add the account again, always choose IMAP, not POP.

#Step 5. Check If AOL Account Is Locked

AOL sometimes blocks logins from unfamiliar apps. To fix this:

  1. Open this URL: https://login.aol.com/account/security
  2. Look for any security alerts.
  3. Approve any login attempts marked as suspicious.
  4. If prompted, complete CAPTCHA verification.

Once you do this, the app usually starts syncing again.

#Step 6. Verify Internet and Firewall Settings

Firewalls or outdated antivirus programs often block IMAP/SMTP ports, leading to accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications. Check:

  • Port 993 and 465 are allowed
  • The email app has internet access
  • VPN is disabled
  • Time/date is correct on the device

Still, your issue is not resolved, so try the next step. I guarantee you will 100% success rate.

#Step 7. Update the Email Application

Older versions of Outlook, especially Outlook 2010/2013, do not support AOL’s latest security requirements. If you’re using:

  • Outlook 2010/2013 must use an App Password
  • Outlook 2016 or Microsoft 365 supports OAuth. So, no app password needed.
  • Old Apple Mail versions often fail without an app password

Always update the app before you remove IMAP account or re-add AOL Mail.

#Step 8. Disable POP and Switch to IMAP

AOL supports POP, but I’ve seen more issues accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications with it.

IMAP keeps mail synced across all devices, so I always remove the POP setup and add AOL using IMAP, and I can even setup IMAP email on iPhone or Android also.

Fix AOL Mail App-Specific Issues

Here are some fixes directly related to Outlook, iPhone, and Android, i.e. 

#AOL Mail Not Working in Outlook?
  1. Remove the AOL account
  2. Re-add the account using IMAP
  3. Sign in using App Password

If Outlook uses a browser login pop-up, enter the main AOL password instead.

#AOL Mail Not Working on iPhone/iPad
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select the Mail option.
  3. Afterwards, click on Accounts > AOL.
  4. Now, click on the Delete button.
  5. Add Account > AOL
  6. Sign in via the browser window

If the iOS version is older, use an App Password.

#AOL Mail Not Working on Android Email App

Most Android apps require an App Password.

So, remove the account > add a new one > and enter:

  • Email
  • App Password
  • IMAP settings manually

With these step-by-step guidelines, I guarantee you will get the expected results in minutes.

Backup AOL Mail for Safety

Fixing “accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications” is crucial, but having a backup of your AOL Mail is equally important in case of:

  • Server outages
  • Accidental deletion
  • App sync errors

To avoid these situations and safeguard the data, I personally used and suggest SysTools AOL Backup Software for this. 

It lets me:

  • Download emails in bulk locally.
  • Export IMAP to PST, EML, or MBOX, which makes accessing them in other clients easier.
  • Support incremental backups so I never lose important messages.
  • Preserve folder structure and attachments.

I always recommend keeping a local copy of your AOL Mail. This makes troubleshooting third-party app access easier.

Best Practices to Avoid AOL Mail App Issues in the Future

Still, we have numerous tricks to resolve the issue, but to prevent it in future, below are the best practices to follow: 

  • Always use IMAP instead of POP.
  • Keep your email app updated.
  • Use App Passwords for apps not supporting OAuth.
  • Don’t change your AOL password frequently in third-party apps
  • Avoid using VPNs while logging in.
  • Regularly review AOL security alerts.
  • Never disable two-step verification, as it enhances security.
Author’s Verdict

I know how frustrating it is when you are experiencing issues accessing AOL Mail through third-party applications. Whenever I troubleshoot this issue, App Passwords, IMAP settings, and clearing old credentials solve the problem almost every time. 

Additionally, all the methods I explained above will help you to quickly resolve the issue hassle-free, without needing any technical know-how.

People Also Ask

Q. Why can’t I access AOL Mail in Outlook or other email clients?
The most common reasons behind that are:

    • Incorrect IMAP/SMTP settings
    • Missing app passwords
    • Outdated email clients

Double-checking settings and using an app-specific password usually resolves this.

Q. What is an AOL app password, and why do I need it?
An app password is a special, one-time password generated for third-party email apps when two-step verification is enabled. 

Q. Should I use IMAP or POP for AOL Mail?
It is recommended to use IMAP instead of POP because it keeps emails synced across all your devices.

Q. My email client says “Unable to connect to server.” What should I do?

Here are the quick fixes:

  • Check the server settings (IMAP/SMTP)
  • Ensure SSL is enabled
  • Use the correct ports (IMAP: 993, SMTP: 465/587)
  • Try an app password
  • Temporarily disable the firewall/antivirus

Q. How can I check if AOL Mail servers are down?
 Visit AOL’s status page to see if there’s a reported outage.

  author

By Mohit Kumar Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft Certified expert for all things Microsoft. He brings a unique perspective gained from nearly a decade of active participation in various IT forums, blogs, and social media. Known in admin circles as the go-to guru for solving user queries in the domain of email and cloud migration, data backup, and digital forensics. The secret to his core expertise lies in solving problems practically. Through this hands-on experience, he has acquired knowledge in diverse domains like Microsoft 365 Cloud, On-Premise Exchange Server, AD, and Entra ID.