Email app passwords · iCloud Create a iCloud
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app-specific password.
Apple never lets a third-party mail app use your real Apple Account password. It requires an app-specific password instead — and the account must already be protected by two-factor authentication.
Applies to icloud.com, me.com, mac.com addresses.
Before you start
Your Apple Account must have two-factor authentication turned on, or the App-Specific Passwords section won't be there.
Step by step
How to create your app-specific password.
- Sign in to your Apple Account at account.apple.com.
- In the Sign-In and Security section, select App-Specific Passwords.
- Select Generate an app-specific password and follow the prompts.
- Copy the password and paste it into your mail app's password field.
Worth knowing
- The username differs between the two servers — this is the most common iCloud setup failure. Incoming (IMAP) usually wants just the name part of your address, like
johnappleseed; outgoing (SMTP) wants the fulljohnappleseed@icloud.com. If IMAP won't connect with the short form, try the full address there too. - Changing or resetting your Apple Account password automatically revokes every app-specific password you have.
- You can hold up to 25 at once; remove old ones from the same screen (or use Revoke All).
- iCloud Mail does not support POP — IMAP only.
- If SSL throws an error, Apple suggests trying TLS instead (or STARTTLS on the outgoing server).
- Legacy @me.com and @mac.com addresses sign in with the Apple Account itself rather than an alias.
Using it in BlueMail
Add your iCloud address in BlueMail and enter the password from the steps above where it asks for one — BlueMail fills in the server settings for you. Free on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Download BlueMailThese steps follow iCloud's own documentation. Official guide →
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