Apple Mail setup for Mac
Connect Apple Mail to your UKC mailbox with secure IMAP and SMTP
Choose Other Mail Account, then use IMAP 993 with SSL/TLS and authenticated SMTP 587 with STARTTLS. Enter the full mailbox address as the username and use the exact server hostname displayed in Plesk.
Before you start
Create the mailbox
Confirm the address exists as a mailbox. A forwarding address alone cannot be added as a complete mail account.
Check webmail
Sign in and send a test message. This confirms the mailbox and password before you change the Mac.
Find the hostname
In Plesk, open Mail Accounts and the Mail Client Setup information. Copy the supported hostname exactly.
Update macOS
Install current macOS updates before troubleshooting an account on an older Mail release.
Apple Mail server settings
| Mail field | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Account type | IMAP | Recommended for synchronisation across devices |
| Incoming mail server | Exact hostname shown in Plesk | Do not guess the hostname |
| Incoming port | 993 | Use SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing mail server | Exact hostname shown in Plesk | SMTP server for this mailbox |
| Outgoing port | 587 | Use STARTTLS |
| Authentication | Password | Required for incoming and outgoing mail |
| User name | Complete email address | Do not use only the part before @ |
| Password | Mailbox password | Not necessarily your UKC account password |
If Apple Mail requires implicit TLS for SMTP, use port 465 with SSL/TLS. Secure POP3 uses port 995, but IMAP is normally the better choice for Macs used with phones or webmail.
Add the account to Mail on Mac
In Mail, choose Mail, then Add Account. Select Other Mail Account when your mailbox is hosted by UKC rather than a listed provider.
Enter the name recipients should see, the full email address and the mailbox password, then continue.
Select IMAP and enter the exact hostname for both incoming and outgoing mail. Use the full address as each username.
Let Mail verify the account, then send a message to a separate address and reply to it.
Check or change ports on an existing account
Open Mail, Settings, Accounts and select the mailbox. Under Server Settings, confirm the incoming and outgoing hostnames, usernames and passwords. If Manage connection settings automatically prevents the required values being entered, turn it off carefully and set IMAP 993 with TLS and SMTP 587 with TLS.
Apple Mail troubleshooting
Mail says the account is offline
Confirm internet access, test webmail, then use Window and Connection Doctor to see whether incoming or outgoing login is failing.
Receiving works but sending fails
Edit the SMTP server. Check port 587, TLS, authentication, the full username and the correct mailbox password.
Password keeps returning
Verify it in webmail and replace the saved password for both incoming and outgoing services. An old SMTP password can remain after incoming mail is fixed.
Sent or deleted mail differs by device
Confirm the account is IMAP and review Mailbox Behaviours so Drafts, Sent, Junk and Bin use the intended server folders.
See the full email troubleshooting flow if webmail or several devices are affected.
Apple Mail questions
Should I choose Other Mail Account?
Yes for a standard UKC Plesk mailbox. Choose Microsoft, Google or another listed provider only when that company actually hosts the mailbox.
Why are there two passwords in Server Settings?
IMAP receives mail and SMTP sends it. Both should authenticate using the same full email address and mailbox password.
Can I use the same mailbox on my Mac and iPhone?
Yes. Add it as IMAP on both devices so messages and folders remain synchronised with the server.
Will removing the account delete server mail?
Removing an IMAP account from one Mac normally removes its local connection, not the server mailbox. Back up any On My Mac or POP-only mail before removal.
Client workflow reference: Apple’s current Mail on Mac account guide. Server-setting reference: Plesk Mail Client Setup documentation.
Still having trouble?
Tell support which connection fails
Include the macOS version, whether webmail works, whether IMAP or SMTP fails and the exact error. Never send the mailbox password.