How to Add a Gmail, Outlook, or Exchange Account to Mail on Mac

You want your Gmail, Outlook/Exchange, iCloud, or work email showing up in the built-in Mail app on your Mac.

Why: For the major providers, Mail can set up everything from just your address and password — including security prompts handled on the provider’s own sign-in page. You only touch server settings if your host isn’t a common provider.

Fix 1: Add a common provider (Gmail, Outlook, Exchange, iCloud)

1. Open Mail, then choose Mail > Add Account.
2. Choose the account type — for example Google, Microsoft Exchange, or iCloud. If yours isn’t listed, choose Other Mail Account and follow Fix 3.
3. Click Continue, then follow the prompts to enter your email address and password. Google and Microsoft accounts open their own sign-in page, where you complete any two-factor or security code step.
4. Choose what to sync for that account — Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Notes — then click Done.

Your inbox now appears in the Mail sidebar.

Fix 2: Turn Mail on for an account you already use elsewhere

If the account is already set up for Contacts, Calendar, or Messages but isn’t showing in Mail:

1. In Mail, choose Mail > Accounts to open Internet Accounts settings.
2. Click the account you want.
3. Make sure the Mail checkbox is selected.

Fix 3: Add a custom or work account by hand

Use this when your host isn’t a major provider. Have your incoming and outgoing server details ready first.

1. Choose Mail > Add Account > Other Mail Account, then click Continue.
2. Enter your Name, Email Address, and Password, then click Sign In.
3. If Mail can’t find the settings automatically, enter the incoming server (IMAP or POP) and outgoing (SMTP) Host Name, User Name, and Password exactly as your provider lists them.
4. Click Sign In to finish.

FAQ

Gmail or Outlook keeps rejecting my password — why? Add the account through the Google or Microsoft Exchange option (Fix 1) so sign-in happens on the provider’s own page, where two-factor codes are handled. A manually typed password often fails when two-factor authentication is on.

How do I temporarily turn an account off without deleting it? Choose Mail > Settings > Accounts, select the account, then deselect Enable this account. Re-select it to turn it back on.

What happens if I remove an account? When you remove an email account in Mail, that account’s messages are removed from your Mac, but copies remain on the mail server.

Sources: Apple Support — Add and manage email accounts in Mail on Mac