🔐 Using Microsoft OAuth 2.0 with Mailbird

In this article, we’ll show you how to connect your Microsoft-powered email account to Mailbird using Microsoft’s OAuth 2.0 authentication method.

Microsoft is continuously improving the security of its email products. That’s why we strongly recommend using OAuth 2.0 when adding any Microsoft email account to Mailbird. If you don’t, you may encounter authentication errors.

💡 Make sure you’re using the latest version of Mailbird to see Microsoft OAuth 2.0 as an available authentication option.

🔧 How to Connect Your Microsoft Email Account

Follow these steps to connect your Microsoft email account to Mailbird using OAuth 2.0:

1. Click the Mailbird Menu in the top-left corner (☰ three horizontal lines)

2. Select Settings

3. Go to the Accounts tab

4. Click Add to begin adding your Microsoft email account

Once you've entered your email details, click Continue. You’ll be redirected to the Microsoft login page. After signing in, Mailbird will return you to the app, and your account will be ready to use.

ℹ️ Important Information About OAuth 2.0

• OAuth 2.0 is not supported for on-premise Exchange server accounts.

• For Microsoft 365 accounts, Mailbird will automatically attempt to use OAuth 2.0. Therefore, no action is needed on your part.

⚠️ Special Case: Microsoft 365 with a Custom Identity Provider

If your Microsoft 365 account uses a custom identity provider (such as a third-party email security or filtering gateway), Mailbird may not automatically detect OAuth and could fall back to password-based authentication.

If that happens, follow these steps:

1. After adding your email account, do not accept the default settings. Click Edit server settings.

2. In the server settings window, select Microsoft OAuth 2.0 as the authentication method, then click Save.
   You’ll be redirected to Microsoft’s login page to authenticate your account securely.

🔁 Using IMAP or POP3 with Microsoft 365

Mailbird will try to use the Exchange protocol by default when connecting Microsoft 365 accounts.

If you prefer to use IMAP or POP3, you can:

1. Click Edit server settings after adding your account

2. Change the Server Type to IMAP or POP3

⚠️ Note: IMAP or POP3 will only work if SMTP Auth is enabled in your Microsoft 365 organization settings. This setting is disabled by default for new Microsoft 365 organizations.
Click here to learn how to enable SMTP Auth.

💬 Need More Help?

We hope you found this article helpful! If you’re still having trouble authenticating your Microsoft email account, contact our Customer Happiness Team. We’re always happy to assist you.