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Hotmail IMAP Settings: A Complete Guide to Set Up Your Email Smoothly

  Tej Pratap Shukla
Written By Tej Pratap Shukla
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Modified On December 3rd, 2025
Reading Time 8 Min Read

If you want to access your Hotmail or Outlook email account on a desktop email client or mobile app, you need the correct Hotmail IMAP settings to make everything work smoothly. Many users get confused while setting up their Hotmail account, as over the years, Microsoft has made so many changes.

I have helped many people change their email accounts. I know the difficulty they face, like IMAP server timeout, and that’s the reason. From my experience, I have created a detailed guide so I can explain what the IMAP settings for Hotmail are in simple language.

Why IMAP Is the Best Way to Access Hotmail Emails

Before I proceed to share the exact Hotmail IMAP settings, here is something you need to know about why IMAP is the best choice. IMAP keeps emails synced across all devices. This means:

  • If you read an email on any of your devices, then it will show as read on other devices as well.
  • If you delete an email on your PC, it will get deleted everywhere.
  • Your folders will look exactly the same on all devices.

For some people like me who use multiple devices every day, IMAP automatically keeps everything in sync.

The Correct Hotmail IMAP Settings ( Updated ) 

Here are the IMAP settings you need:

Incoming Mail (IMAP)

  • Server: imap-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS
  • Username: Your full Hotmail email address
  • Password: Your account password or app password ( if 2FA is on )

Outgoing Mail ( SMTP ):

  • Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com 
  • Port: 587
  • Encryption: STARTTLS
  • Username: Your full Hotmail email address
  • Password: Same as above 

I share the same IMAP settings that I have shared above with everyone who asks me what are the IMAP settings for Hotmail. If you use these settings, your account will sync properly and prevent the most common connection issues.

How to Set Up Hotmail IMAP in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is the most common email client that users prefer to use on Windows or Mac.  I also prefer to use it when I need advanced features like rules and search filters.

Here’s how you can set up Outlook using the correct Hotmail IMAP settings:

  1. Open Outlook
  2. Go to File > Add Account
  3. Enter your Hotmail email address
  4. Choose IMAP when prompted
  5. Enter the incoming and outgoing server details listed above
  6. Enter your password
  7. Click Finish

After a couple of minutes, your emails will start syncing. It is possible that you will be asked to allow connection access; always click Yes.

Also read: How to Download Hotmail Emails to Hard Drive

How to Add Hotmail IMAP in Thunderbird

I have been using Thunderbird for many years now, and one thing that I like about it is its flexibility. It offers the same performance whether you are using it for personal mail or managing multiple accounts.

Below are the steps to follow to add Hotmail to Thunderbird:

  1. Open Thunderbird and go to Account Settings.
  2. Click Add Mail Account
  3. Enter your name, Hotmail email, and password.
  4. Thunderbird may auto-detect the settings, but if not, choose Manual Config
  5. Enter the same Hotmail IMAP settings mentioned earlier.
  6. Click Done.

Once your mail folders get synced, you are able to access everything instantly. 

How to Set up Hotmail IMAP on Mobile (Android & iPhone)

Many people, including me, rely on their mobile more than their desktop to check emails, send replies, and manage notifications.

Here’s how to configure IMAP on mobile:

On Android mail:

  1. Open Mail > Add account
  2. Choose IMAP
  3. Enter your email and password
  4. Add the IMAP and SMTP server details
  5. Save and sync

On iPhone mail:

  1. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts
  2. Tap Add Account > Outlook.com or choose IMAP manually
  3. Enter the server settings and password
  4. Save and sync

By following the above steps, you can add Hotmail IMAP to your mobile.

How to Add Hotmail in Windows Using IMAP

Adding Hotmail in Windows is very easy as long as you use the correct Hotmail IMAP settings; the setup works smoothly without errors.

Add Hotmail to the Windows Mail app

  1. Open the Mail app on your Windows PC
  2. Click Accounts on the left panel.
  3. Select Add Account
  4. Choose Outlook.com
  5. Enter your Hotmail email and password
  6. Allow permission when prompted

Most of the time, Windows Mail detects the correct server automatically, and if it doesn’t do that then you can add it manually using the updated IMAP settings.

Manually Add Hotmail ( If auto setup fails )

  1. Go to Settings > Manage Accounts
  2. Select your Hotmail account.
  3. Turn ON Advanced mailbox settings
  4. Enter the following:

Incoming (IMAP):

  • Server: imap-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 993
  • Security: SSL/TLS

Outgoing (SMTP):

  • Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 587
  • Security: STARTTLS

Once it gets done, your email folders and sync settings will start loading again.

Related Guide:  How to Add Hotmail to Windows Live Mail

How to Add Hotmail on MacOS ( Mac Mail App )

Setting up your Hotmail account on your macOS is very easy using the built-in Apple Mail app.

Here’s how you can do it:

Automatic Setup ( Recommended)

  1. Open Mail on your Mac
  2. Go to Mail > Add Account
  3. Select Microsoft Exchange or Outlook.com
  4. Enter your Hotmail address and click Sign in
  5. Enter your password and confirm permissions
  6. Choose what you want to sync, like Mail, Calendar, and Contacts
  7. Click Done, then you are good to go with Hotmail IMAP settings

Manual IMAP Setup on Mac

  1. Go to Mail > Add Account > Other Mail Account
  2. Enter your Hotmail email and password
  3. Click Sign-in 
  4. Enter these details manually:

Incoming Mail ( IMAP ):

Outgoing Mail ( SMTP ):

  • Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 587
  • Security: STARTTLS

Once it’s all done, you will see Hotmail emails appear in the left sidebar of Apple Mail.

Common Issues While Using Hotmail IMAP Settings

Most users face issues after adding the Hotmail settings, even after using the correct IMAP settings. Here is something you need to check:

  1. IMAP Authentication Failed
  • You will face this error if you have enabled two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Solution: You can avoid it by creating an App password from your Microsoft Account Security page.
  1. IMAP not syncing
  • You can face this error because of the cache or slow internet
  • Solution: This can easily be resolved after clearing the cache and changing your internet connection.
  1. SMTP not working
  • This issue only happens if it has the wrong port or disabled authentication.
  • Solution: This can be fixed by using port 587 with STARTTLS

These are some fixes that resolve the issue in minutes. If you want to discontinue using Hotmail, then you can delete it anytime. Here is an easy guide to do it in easy steps: How to delete Hotmail account permanently.

Why Backing Up Hotmail Emails Is Important Before Changing IMAP Settings

One thing that I have noticed while helping users is that email setup sometimes breaks; it mostly happens when you move devices or change servers.

It is always a wise decision to create a backup before adjusting anything. If you prefer a professional and reliable way to do this, the SysTools Hotmail backup Tool is one of the simplest options that I have seen so far. It allows you to:

  • Download Hotmail emails in PST, MBOX, EML, and PDF.
  • It helps in preserving folder structure.
  • Avoid accidental data loss
  • Migrate Hotmail to Outlook or other clients easily

This tool is very useful when you are dealing with issues related to the IMAP settings for Hotmail. If anything goes wrong, then you will have a backup of all your data.

Author’s Verdict

Setting up your Hotmail account has not been complicated. Once you understand the correct Hotmail IMAP settings, you are able to add your account to any devices, i.e. Windows, macOS, Android, or iPhone.

I always recommend checking your IMAP and SMTP server details and keeping a backup of your emails using a professional and reliable tool that I have suggested above. After learning how to add Hotmail IMAP settings to each device and how to resolve common errors, you are good to use it.

FAQ’s 

Q. Does the Hotmail email client fully support IMAP?

Yes, it supports IMAP, and it is used for syncing emails across devices.

Q. What’s the reason my Hotmail IMAP is not working?

Most of the time, due to incorrect server details or authentication failure, it happens.

Q. Is Hotmail IMAP free to use?

Yes, it is absolutely free for all Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts.

Q. Is it possible ot use Hotmail IMAP on Outlook and Thunderbird?

Yes, it is possible as both clients support IMAP.

Q. Is it possible to use IMAP on my phone for Hotmail?

Yes, it is possible to use IMAP by adding Hotmail using IMAP on both Android and iPhone.