Problem with outlook settings. Can't login to legacy yahoo email address. "We couldn't log onto the incoming IMAP server"

FattyMatty 20 Reputation points
2025-09-08T23:59:10.2766667+00:00

I have had a legacy bellsouth.net email address for over 25 years. Yahoo acquired those att.net accounts a long time ago and they have provided email server settings that are not working for me with Outlook 2021. ATT is of no help because they don't provide assistance with Outlook.. I have Outlook set up on my Iphone 16 pro with no issues but I need it on my PC as well. I didn't even have to enter the server settings on my iphone as they set up automatically. However, when I try to set up Outlook 2021 on my Windows 11 PC, nothing works. I was also able to seamlesslessly set up Gmail with IMAP settings and it took about 15 seconds. What is it about these att.net emails being administered by yahoo that make it so difficult? Does anyone have a Rosetta Stone solution to this frustrating problem? Thank you!

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
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Jeronimo Fuerte 47,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-09-09T00:37:35.8+00:00

Hi! On Windows 11, have you tried this? add the account manually as IMAP using imap.mail.att.net:993 (SSL/TLS) and smtp.mail.att.net:465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS), username = your full email, and for the password use an AT&T “Secure Mail Key” (a 16-character app password created in your myAT&T profile) instead of your normal password.

Before retrying, sign in to webmail at currently.com to confirm the account works, make sure Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked, and remove any saved credentials in Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials so Outlook prompts you again. iPhone sets up via OAuth automatically, but Outlook often requires the Secure Mail Key for these legacy domains.

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  1. FattyMatty 20 Reputation points
    2025-09-09T13:29:53.4933333+00:00

    Oh my gosh thank you! The secure email key was indeed the Rosetta stone solution. Thank you so much!!!

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