Email Settings for Authenticated SMTP

Overview

This document provides instructions for configuring email clients to use ITS's authenticated SMTP server (smtp.mail.umich.edu). This service is an alternative to using your regular mail account for correspondence with those whose university business needs are not met by the latter. Use smtp.mail.umich.edu for the outgoing (SMTP) mail server and use SSL for authentication.

Note: Use of the ITS Authenticated SMTP service requires registration. Please refer to the ITS-Authenticated SMTP form to register.
Caution: ITS recommends using only apps and clients created and supported by Google or web browsers to connect to U-M Google accounts. Third-party apps and clients are created by a group or company other than Google. Google does not support the use of third-party apps or incidents that might result from using them. ITS does not provide configuration assistance or additional support for using any third-party apps or clients.

Apple Mail

  1. Select Preferences from the Mail menu.
  2. Click Accounts.
  3. Select the account to modify or click + to create a new account.
  4. Click Server Settings.
    Important: Do not change the Account Type setting.
  5. Enter these settings:
    • Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.mail.umich.edu
    • Server port: 587
    • Check the Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) box.
    • Select Password from the Authentication drop-down list.
    • User Name: Your uniqname
  6. Click OK.

Note: Apple Mail sometimes reverts to its old SMTP settings, so we recommend that you remove any old SMTP server entries.

Important: The only server in the list should be smtp.mail.umich.edu (and your uniqname may appear next to the server name.)

  1. Select Edit Server List from the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) drop-down list.​
  2. Select a server that you do not use and click Remove Server. Continue until all the unused servers are removed.
  3. Click Done.
  4. Close the Accounts window and save your changes.

Outlook

  1. From the File menu, select Add Account.
  2. Select Manual setup or additional server types and then click Next.
  3. Select Pop or IMAP and click Next.
  4. Choose these settings in the Add Account window:
    • Your Name: Your name as you want it to appear when sending messages.
    • Email Address: Your University of Michigan email address (e.g., [email protected]).
    • Account Type: IMAP.
    • Incoming mail server: imap.gmail.com.
    • Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.mail.umich.edu.
    • User Name: Your University of Michigan email address (e.g., [email protected]).
  5. Click More Settings.
  6. Click the Outgoing Server tab and choose the following settings:
    • Check the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication box.
    • Check the Log on using box.
    • The User Name is your uniqname.
  7. Click the Advanced tab and choose these settings:
    • Incoming server (IMAP): SSL (encrypted connection).
    • Outgoing server: SSL (encrypted connection).
    • Outgoing server: 465.
  8. Click OK.

Note: You can use SMTP port 587 with TLS if the above outgoing configuration fails.

  1. Click Next in the Add Account box.
  2. Click Close when the tests are complete.
  3. Click Finish.

Outlook Express v6

  1. Select Accounts from the Tools menu.
  2. Click the Mail tab.
  3. Select the Accounts to use and click Properties.
  4. Choose these settings on the Servers tab:
    • Outgoing mail (SMTP): smtp.mail.umich.edu
    • Check the My server requires authentication box.
  5. Click Settings under Outgoing Mail Server.
  6. Click the Use same settings as my incoming mail server radio button and then click OK.
  7. Choose these settings on the Advanced tab:
    • Check the This server requires a secure connection (SSL) box.
    • Outgoing mail (SMTP): 465.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click Close.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to send mail after changing your settings, try the following troubleshooting tips:

  1. Check your settings.
  • The SMTP/outgoing mail server should be smtp.mail.umich.edu.
  • Authentication is required.
  • SSL must be used.

Note: TLS is a form of SSL. In some programs, we recommend that you select TLS.

  • The port number for SMTP should be either 465 (used by most Microsoft mail programs) or 587 (used by most non-Microsoft mail programs).
  1. Try switching the port number.

If you entered 465, try 587 instead. If you entered 587, try 465.

  1. Check your firewall and anti-virus software.

If you are running personal firewall software or anti-virus software other than the versions of VirusScan for Windows or Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac that ITS distributes, it is possible that your security software is blocking port 465 or 587. Try disabling that software, then testing again. If this is indeed the cause, set your security software so that it does not block those ports. Visit the software's help center to find more information on how to do this.

  1. Check your ISP (i.e., Internet Service Provider).

If you are using an ISP other than U-M MWireless (e.g., Comcast, APL, SBC, etc.), your ISP may be blocking access to ITS's SMTP server. In that case, you must use your ISP's recommended SMTP server settings. Check your ISP's website or contact your ISP for instructions and assistance.

Important: In some cases where smtp.mail.umich.edu is unable to resolve to a routable address, try using either smtp-public.mail.umich.edu or smtp-private.mail.umich.edu. Depending on your client’s DNS resolvers and general network configuration, one of these addresses should solve your issue.

If you are within the Michigan Medicine network or Michigan Medicine VPN, you will need to use smtp-public.mail.umich.edu.

Tags: 
Email
Mail Routing
Last Updated: 
Tuesday, January 24, 2023