Configuring Mac Mail

Setting up your HostGator email to work with Mac Mail is, for the most part, easy to accomplish. However, since this is a third-party mail client, we may not troubleshoot issues that arise between the client, WiFi settings, computer versions, and firewalls. Therefore, it's important to remember that this article will provide the basic settings for most versions of Mac Mail. For more information about Mac Mail, please review:  Apple's support documentation.

If you have set up an email address with HostGator and wish to send and receive your emails in your Mac Mail Client, this article will provide the necessary steps for that. If you require assistance setting up a mobile device, check out this article here:

Pro Tip: Since there are so many different types of phones, tablets, computers, Mac Mail versions, and networks involved, this article will cover only the basic settings you need. It's always recommended to reach out to someone who understands your device from a professional standpoint should you experience issues setting up email on a third-party mail client. This article, by no means, should serve as a comprehensive guide covering computer/phone specifics.

Before You Begin

Before starting, make sure you have the following information on hand or available. You can find these settings within the Email section of your account or by reaching out to support via chat/phone/ticket.

You Will Need:

• Incoming mail server - e.g., pop.yourdomain.com or imap.yourdomain.com
• Outgoing mail server - e.g., smtp.yourdomain.com
• Full email address - e.g., youremail@yourdomain.com
• Email password - the password configured for your email account

Getting Started

1. Open Mac OS X Mail and navigate to Add Account.
2. Select Add Other Mail Account, then provide the information below.
    
   • Full Name: How you want your name to appear in emails (example: John Smith)
   • Email Address: Your full email address (example: john@your-domain.com)
   • Password: Your email password
      
3. Click Continue.
4. From the next few screens, you will add the following information.
    
   • Account Type: IMAP
   • Description: Whatever you want (for example, IMAP Account)
   • Incoming mail server: IMAP.YOURDOMAIN.

     Example: If you want to use IMAP and your domain is coolsite.com, enter imap.coolsite.com.

   • User Name: Your complete email address (example: john@your-domain.com)
   • Password: Your email password
      
5. Click Continue.
6. Hit Connect if you receive a message about a security certificate.
7. Fill in the following information.
    
   • Description: Whatever you want (for example, IMAP Account)
   • Outgoing Mail Server: SMTP.YOURDOMAIN

     Example: If your domain name is cooldomain.net, you will enter smtp.cooldomain.net.

   • Use only this server: Checked
   • Use Authentication: Checked
   • User Name: Your full email address (example: john@your-domain.com)
   • Password: Your email password
      
8. Click Continue.
9. Click Connect if there is a message about a security certificate.
    
   • Put a checkmark on Take account online.
   • Click Create to complete the setup.

 

You May Need to Configure Additional Settings

1. Check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
2. Check Use the same settings as my incoming mail server.
3. Navigate to the Advanced settings, then fill in the following information.
    
   • Incoming Server (POP Port): 110
   • Use the next type of encrypted connection (Incoming): Optional
     
     Note: If enabled, change Incoming Server to POP Port to 995 or IMAP Port 993.
      
   • Confirm Outgoing Server (SMTP Port): 587
   • Make use of the following type of encrypted connection (Outgoing): Optional
     
     Note: If enabled, set Outgoing Server (SMTP Port) to 465.

 

Automatic Configuration for Customers With Google Workspace

1. Turn on IMAP access in Google Workspace.

   Note: The steps below will not work correctly until IMAP has been enabled in the account.

2. Close Apple Mail.
3. Navigate the Apple Logo and select System Preferences.
4. Look for Internet Account.
   Note: You can also access the Internet Accounts preference pane by launching the Mail application and selecting Mail > Accounts in the menu bar.
5. In the Internet Account pane, email and social media account types are compatible with the Mac. Select Google.
6. Select Open Browser when prompted to do so in the dropdown window.
7. Enter your Google account name (email address) in the window that opens and select Next.
8. Enter your Google account password and then select Next or Set Up (depending on your OS version).
9. The dropdown panel changes to display a list of apps on your Mac that can use your Google account. Select Mail and any of the other apps, then select Done.

Your Google email account is automatically set up in the Mail application.

Instructions Were Followed but Won't Connect. What Can I Do?

1. Refer to the Generic Email Client Settings steps for the email client setup.
2. Consult Apple's support site or store.

Here are two articles that might assist you.

Mac Basics: Mail (Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier)
Configuring Mail for your email account