How to Set Up Your Email Account on Your iPhone or iPad

This tutorial will walk you through the steps to setting up your email account on your iPhone and/or iPad.

There are a number of different methods to set up email on your iPhone or iPad – based almost entirely on what your email address is. For example, setting up an @gmail.com email address is different than setting up an @comcast.net address which is different than setting up your own custom @domain.com email address.

This tutorial will show you how to set up a Gmail address, a POP/IMAP account (which is common for @comcast.net, @xyz.rr.com and many other ISPs) and an @hotmail.com email address. It will also cover setting up a Microsoft Exchange email account.

Note: the screenshots used in this tutorial are from an iPhone. The steps are nearly identical for iPad users – to the point where you’ll have absolutely no trouble following along.

1. How to Set Up Gmail and/or a Microsoft Exchange Account on Your iPhone
2. How to Set Up Hotmail on Your iPhone
3. How to Set Up a POP/IMAP Email Account on Your iPhone

How to Set Up Gmail and/or a Microsoft Exchange Account on Your iPhone

1. Setting up Gmail on your iPhone (using this method) is also identical to the steps you’d take for setting up a Microsoft Exchange Account. If you’re setting up a Microsoft Exchange Account, make sure you have all of your account settings handy.
2. Tap the Settings button.



3. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars



4. Tap Add Account…



5. In this specific example we’ll be setting up a Microsoft Exchange Account using @gmail.com settings. This can be a bit confusing if you’re using Gmail, as there’s a Gmail entry directly below the Microsoft Exchange entry in the Add Account… list. Obviously both methods work, I’ve found this one to be the easiest to work with overall.



6. Enter each item in the fields provided. If you’re setting up an @gmail.com account, enter in your full @gmail.com email address and password. If you’re using a different account, refer to the Microsoft Exchange settings for that account. Tap the Next button to continue.



7. Fill in the information for each of the fields on the second configuration screen. If you’re setting up a gmail account, enter m.google.com as the Server, and leave the Domain field blank. If you’re setting up your own/different Microsoft Exchange Account, again, refer to the documentation for that account and enter that information in the provided fields. Tap the Next button when you’re done.



8. Make sure that Mail, Contacts and Calendars are all selected. These can always be disabled at a later date if you wish to use a different group of contacts or Calendar. Also, you can always import/add additional contacts from other sources later. Tap Save when you’re done.



9. Back at the Mail, Contacts, Calendars Settings screen, you’ll see a new entry for the email account you just created.



10. Tap the Mail button on your iPhone/iPad.



11. It might take a minute or two to populate for the first time – but there’s your email! From here you can check your mail, respond, compose new messages – everything you’d expect.

How to Set Up Hotmail on Your iPhone

If you’re using a @hotmail.com address, just follow the steps below.

1. Tap the Settings button on your iPhone.



2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars



3. Tap the Add Account… button.



4. Tap the Hotmail button.



5. Enter in your Hotmail credentials in the spaces provided and then tap the Next button.



6. Tap Save



7. Your newly added Hotmail account will appear in your Accounts list.



8. Tap the Mail button on your iPhone/iPad.



9. Give the iPhone Mail App a few minutes to download your messages. From here, you can send and receive your Hotmail email just as if you were using an email program on your laptop or desktop.

How to Set Up a POP/IMAP Email Account on Your iPhone

If you’re using the email address that was provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) – you’re probably using a POP or IMAP account. That means you’ll need the details provided by your ISP to set up your email account on your iPhone. Luckily, we have a quick reference chart that provides the settings for most major North American ISPs (including AT&T Worldnet, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Earthlink, Rogers, Shaw, Verizon and several others). If you can’t find the email settings for your account, refer to the Support section of your ISPs web site, or give them a call.

1. Once you have the information, tap the Settings button on your iPhone.



2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars



3. Tap the Add Account… button.



4. Tap Other from the bottom of the list.



5. From the Mail menu, tap Add Mail Account



6. Enter your information in the spaces provided and click Next.



7. If Apple is able to auto-configure your email account, it will – as illustrated in the screenshot below. If it isn’t, refer to this list and check for the settings associated with your email account. You’ll be provided spaces/fields to enter those settings into. Tap Done to finish the setup process.



8. Your new email account will be listed in your Accounts section.



9. Tap the Mail button on your Home Screen to launch the iPhone Mail App.



10. It may take a minute or five to download your messages. From here you’ll be able to send and receive email just as if you were using a laptop/PC. That’s it!