> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fuseai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect a mailbox

> Connect Google, Outlook, or any SMTP/IMAP mailbox to Fuse, with server settings and app-password steps for the common providers.

Fuse sends and receives email through mailboxes you connect in **Settings → Accounts → Add Account**. There are three ways to connect:

* **Google** - OAuth. A Google Workspace admin trusts the Fuse app once per domain; after that, every mailbox on the domain connects in two clicks and can send campaigns.
* **Outlook** - OAuth. Sign in with Microsoft and approve the requested permissions. This is the only way to connect a Microsoft mailbox (see [Microsoft 365](#microsoft-365)).
* **Other (SMTP / IMAP)** - any other provider: custom domains, Zoho, Yahoo, iCloud, cPanel hosting, or a Google mailbox you prefer to connect with an app password.

<Note>
  Prefer the OAuth options for Google and Microsoft: there are no app passwords to manage, and Microsoft mailboxes can only connect this way.
</Note>

## The SMTP / IMAP form

| Field                       | What it is                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Email address**           | The mailbox you're connecting. Also used as the sign-in username unless you override it.                                                                       |
| **Display name**            | The "from" name recipients see. Optional.                                                                                                                      |
| **SMTP host / port**        | Your provider's *outgoing* server, used for sending. Port `465` with TLS/SSL on, or port `587` with TLS/SSL off (STARTTLS; the connection is still encrypted). |
| **IMAP host / port**        | Your provider's *incoming* server, used for reading replies. Almost always port `993` with TLS/SSL on.                                                         |
| **Username**                | Only needed if your sign-in name differs from the email address (common on cPanel hosts).                                                                      |
| **Password / app password** | Your mailbox password, or an **app password** if the provider uses 2-step verification. Enter app passwords without spaces.                                    |

Picking your provider in the form fills the hosts and ports automatically. The sections below show where to create each provider's app password.

## Gmail

Google mailboxes need an **app password**; your normal password won't work over SMTP/IMAP.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Turn on 2-Step Verification">
    App passwords only exist when 2-Step Verification is on: [myaccount.google.com/security](https://myaccount.google.com/security).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the app password">
    Go to [myaccount.google.com/apppasswords](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords), enter a name like `Fuse`, and click **Create**. Google shows a 16-character password once; copy it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste it into Fuse without spaces">
    Google displays it in groups (`xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx`); remove the spaces when pasting.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Server settings: SMTP `smtp.gmail.com:465` (TLS on) · IMAP `imap.gmail.com:993` (TLS on).

<Note>
  On Google Workspace, the admin must allow 2-Step Verification and keep IMAP enabled for the organization.
</Note>

## Microsoft 365

Microsoft mailboxes **cannot connect over SMTP / IMAP**. Microsoft retired the basic authentication these connections rely on (September 2024 for personal accounts, April 30, 2026 for Microsoft 365 SMTP sending), and app passwords for mail stopped working with it.

Connect Microsoft mailboxes with the **Outlook** option in **Add Account** instead.

## Yahoo Mail

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate an app password">
    Open [Yahoo Account Security](https://login.yahoo.com/account/security), choose **Generate and manage app passwords**, and name it `Fuse`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Server settings: SMTP `smtp.mail.yahoo.com:465` (TLS on) · IMAP `imap.mail.yahoo.com:993` (TLS on).

## Zoho Mail

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable IMAP access">
    Zoho Mail → **Settings** → **Mail accounts** → **IMAP** → enable **IMAP access**. It's off by default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the right password">
    If Two-Factor Authentication is on, create an app-specific password at [accounts.zoho.com](https://accounts.zoho.com) → **Security** → **App Passwords**. Without 2FA, your regular password works.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Server settings: SMTP `smtp.zoho.com:465` (TLS on) · IMAP `imap.zoho.com:993` (TLS on).

<Note>
  Zoho accounts hosted in other regions use that region's hosts, e.g. `smtp.zoho.in` / `imap.zoho.in` for India and `.eu` for Europe. Match the domain you sign in with.
</Note>

## Apple iCloud

iCloud always requires an **app-specific password** for third-party mail apps, and your Apple ID must have two-factor authentication on.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate an app-specific password">
    [account.apple.com](https://account.apple.com) → **Sign-In and Security** → **App-Specific Passwords** → **+**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Server settings: SMTP `smtp.mail.me.com:587` (TLS off, STARTTLS) · IMAP `imap.mail.me.com:993` (TLS on).

## Fastmail

Fastmail always requires an **app password** for IMAP/SMTP; your account password won't work in third-party apps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an app password">
    Fastmail → **Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → **Integrations** → **New app password**. Choose **Mail (IMAP/SMTP)** access.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Server settings: SMTP `smtp.fastmail.com:465` (TLS on) · IMAP `imap.fastmail.com:993` (TLS on).

## GoDaddy

GoDaddy mailboxes use your **regular mailbox password**; no app password is needed.

Server settings: SMTP `smtpout.secureserver.net:465` (TLS on) · IMAP `imap.secureserver.net:993` (TLS on).

<Note>
  If your GoDaddy email plan is actually Microsoft 365, see [Microsoft 365](#microsoft-365) and connect with the Outlook option.
</Note>

## cPanel / custom domains

Your host's webmail or cPanel shows the exact settings under **Email Accounts → Connect Devices**. Typically:

* SMTP: `mail.yourdomain.com:465` (TLS on)
* IMAP: `mail.yourdomain.com:993` (TLS on)
* Username: the **full email address**
* Password: the mailbox password set in cPanel

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom                           | Likely cause                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Authentication failed*           | Regular password used where an app password is required, an app password pasted with spaces, or a username that differs from the email address.                                                |
| *Connection timed out*            | Wrong host, or a port/TLS mismatch: `465` needs TLS/SSL **on**, `587` needs it **off**.                                                                                                        |
| *Works, then disconnects later*   | The app password was revoked (changing your account password revokes app passwords on most providers), or the provider disabled IMAP/SMTP access. Generate a fresh app password and reconnect. |
| *Microsoft mailbox won't connect* | Microsoft retired SMTP/IMAP basic auth and app passwords. Connect it with the Outlook option instead.                                                                                          |

Use **Test connection** in the form before connecting; it verifies both SMTP and IMAP with the details you entered.