🔐 Authentication Issues When Connecting an Account 

If you’re experiencing problems adding an email account to Mailbird for Mac, and receive a Failed Authentication error, don’t worry. This issue can arise for a number of different reasons, but in this article we will take you through some clear and effective ways to fix it.

🧾 What Does the Error Look Like

Below is an example of the error message you might see when authentication fails. It will usually contain:

• "Settings not found" at the top.
• Details of the server's response at the bottom.
• A link to this article.

🛠️ Suggestions & Fixes to Try First

Here are the most common ways to resolve failed authentication issues. We recommend trying each one in order, as the issue may be caused by a combination of factors:

1. Double-check that your username and password are entered correctly. Typos, especially in passwords, are the most frequent cause of this problem.

2. Make sure that your antivirus or security software aren't blocking Mailbird. Try temporarily disabling either one of them, or whitelisting Mailbird.

3. Turn of your VPN if you are using one, and attempt to add your email account again.

📬 Email Provider-Specific Fixes

Some email providers have unique security requirements. Here's what to do based on your provider:

• Gmail: Ensure that OAuth 2.0 is selected as the authentication method. Username & Password is no longer supported by Google as a valid authentication method.

• Yahoo: You may need to generate a third-party app password after trying the general fixes above. Take a look at their page here to find out what how you can do this.

• iCloud: Similarly to Yahoo, iCloud users may also need a third-party app password. Here’s their guidance on how to generate one.

• Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail, etc.): If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, you’ll need to create an App Password. Find out here how to set it up.
• Zoho: Personal accounts should use imap.zoho.com. Business accounts should use imappro.zoho.com
  • If you have 2FA enabled, you’ll need an app-specific password. If you don't have it enabled, then your regular password will work. More information is provided by Zoho here.

• BT Internet: Even when entering the correct password, authentication may still fail due to a known issue on BT's side. However, we have discovered an effective workaround which normally overcomes this issue:
  • Log into your BT email account via your web browser.
  • Change your password to something different.
  • Try adding the account to Mailbird again, but use your new password.

📩 Still Need Help?

If none of these solutions work, please submit a support ticket via our Contact Us form. Our team is here to assist you and get you up and running as quickly as possible.