Mac Mail Keeps Asking for Password? How to Fix It

If Mac Mail keeps asking you to enter your email password, first confirm the password works by signing in to your provider’s website, then update the saved sign-in details or reconnect the account in Mail. The right fix depends on whether the password changed, the provider requires extra authentication, or Mail cannot reach the account.

Why Mail asks for your password

Mail uses your email provider’s servers to send and receive messages. It stores sign-in information and presents it when connecting; if the provider rejects that information, Mail may show a password prompt. A repeated prompt does not necessarily mean you typed the wrong password. The account may require a different sign-in method, or a network or server problem may be interrupting the connection.

Common triggers include changing your email password, updating macOS, changing security settings at the provider, enabling two-factor authentication, or having an old saved password in Keychain. A prompt can also appear when a provider’s service is temporarily unavailable. Check whether the alert refers to incoming mail or outgoing mail: receiving uses an incoming server, while sending uses an outgoing (SMTP) server. A problem with one does not always affect the other.

Start with the safest checks

1. Test the password in a browser. Open your provider’s official sign-in page and sign in to the same address. If that fails, use the provider’s password-reset or account-recovery process; changing settings in Mail will not fix a password the provider rejects.
2. Check the address and connection. Make sure the account name is the full email address if required, and check that the Mac is online. If possible, try another network. A VPN, firewall, or managed network can sometimes interfere with mail connections.
3. Look for provider notices. Check the provider’s service status and account-security notices. If service is down or the account is locked, wait or follow the provider’s instructions rather than repeatedly submitting credentials.
4. Restart Mail and the Mac. A restart can clear a temporary connection problem. It will not correct an invalid password or authentication requirement, so continue to the relevant checks if the prompt returns.

Update the account in macOS

Menu wording varies across macOS releases, but the account is managed in System Settings. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Internet Accounts, select the email account, and check whether Mail is enabled. If the system offers a sign-in or reauthentication prompt, complete it using the provider’s normal sign-in page. Do not enter your email password into an unfamiliar window or link.

You can also open Mail and choose Mail > Settings (called Preferences in some older versions), then select Accounts. Review the account details and any connection-status message. Avoid changing server names or ports based on guesses: these values depend on the provider. Use the provider’s published setup instructions if Mail reports an incoming or outgoing server problem.

If you recently changed the password, update the saved credential by signing in again through the account’s normal setup flow. Simply typing the new password into a prompt may not work if the provider expects a browser-based authorization or an app-specific password.

Two-factor authentication and app passwords

Some providers use two-factor authentication (2FA), where signing in requires a second confirmation in addition to a password. Modern account setup may send you to a provider sign-in page to approve access. Complete that flow rather than looking for a place to type a one-time verification code into Mail’s ordinary password field.

Some providers or account configurations require an app-specific password for mail apps that do not use the provider’s interactive sign-in method. This is a separate credential generated in the provider’s account-security settings; it is not your normal account password. Use one only if the provider’s current instructions explicitly call for it. Never share it, and revoke it through the provider if it is exposed or no longer needed.

Check Keychain and server settings carefully

macOS Keychain Access can store credentials used by apps, including Mail. If Mail continues to submit an obsolete saved password after you have confirmed the account works online, a stale credential may be involved. First try signing out and back in through Internet Accounts. Avoid deleting multiple Keychain entries at random: entries may be used by other apps, and removing the wrong item can create additional prompts without fixing the account.

If the provider says the password is correct but Mail still cannot connect, inspect the account’s incoming and outgoing server settings against the provider’s official instructions. Check the username, server hostname, and whether the account is configured for the provider’s supported authentication method. Do not disable encryption or weaken account security just to make a connection succeed.

When to remove and add the account again

Removing an account and adding it back can help when its configuration is damaged or the sign-in authorization has expired. Before doing so, confirm that important messages are present in the provider’s webmail or backed up. Mail accounts using IMAP or Exchange generally synchronize messages with the server, but locally stored mail or mailboxes configured to keep messages only on the Mac may not be restored simply by adding the account again.

In System Settings > Internet Accounts, select the account and remove it only after checking what data is stored locally. Then add it again using the account type and sign-in method recommended by the provider. If this is a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT support before removing it; its management policies may control authentication and setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Mac Mail keep asking for my password even when it is correct?
Mail may be using an outdated saved credential, the provider may require browser-based sign-in or an app-specific password, or a server connection may be failing. Test the password on the provider’s website first, then reauthenticate the account.

Should I enter my email password into Keychain Access?
No. Keychain Access is used to manage saved credentials, not as a general sign-in form. Sign in through Mail’s account setup or the provider’s legitimate authorization page, and avoid changing Keychain entries unless you know which credential is affected.

Do I need an app-specific password for Apple Mail?
Not always. Many accounts use a provider sign-in flow, while some providers or account configurations require an app-specific password. Follow the provider’s current instructions for your account and do not substitute one unless it is required.

Will deleting my Mac Mail account delete my emails?
Messages stored on the provider’s server are generally available again after the account is added back, but mail stored only on the Mac may not be. Verify important messages and local mailboxes before removing an account.

Why can I receive mail but not send it?
Incoming and outgoing mail use separate server settings and connections. Check the outgoing account and SMTP settings in Mail’s account settings, then compare them with your provider’s instructions. A receiving-password fix may not resolve a sending-server problem.

What if none of these steps works?
Note the exact prompt and whether it concerns incoming or outgoing mail. Check the provider’s service and security notices, then contact the provider or your organization’s IT team with that information. Avoid repeatedly guessing passwords, which can trigger account security limits.

Related

• How to Save Your Laptop From Spills
• How to Use Microsoft Designer to Make AI Images
• Fix iOS 10’s Biggest Annoyances: Practical Settings