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Connect an IMAP email account

Airo supports email providers that allow IMAP receiving and authenticated SMTP sending, using a password or app password over SSL/TLS or required STARTTLS. Both servers must be reachable through public IPv4 hostnames with valid certificates. Use the dedicated Google or Microsoft connection for accounts that require OAuth. This connection does not support insecure mail, self-signed certificates, private/VPN servers, IPv6-only servers, or providers that disable IMAP/SMTP.

Before you connect

For Comcast/Xfinity, Yahoo, iCloud and Fastmail addresses, Airo suggests settings after you enter your email. You do not need to choose a provider or enter server names first. These are suggestions for recognized domains; Airo does not automatically discover every custom-domain host.

For other providers, have your provider’s email-client settings ready: receiving (IMAP) and sending (SMTP) hostnames, ports and security modes. Usernames default to your email address but can be changed, and SMTP can use a separate password. If your custom domain is hosted by Google or Microsoft, use its provider button on the first screen. Microsoft sign-in retains its current availability restrictions.

Typical settings are IMAP 993 with SSL/TLS and SMTP 465 with SSL/TLS or 587 with STARTTLS. Some providers use IMAP 143 with STARTTLS. Follow your provider’s instructions; Airo does not allow a plaintext fallback. Usernames default to your email address, but you can change them when your provider uses another login name.

Enable third-party access or create an app password if your provider requires it. Never enter a two-factor authentication code in the password field. Airo keeps certificates verified and cannot accept a server URL, IP address or certificate exception instead of a hostname.

Connect on web or mobile

  1. Sign in to Airo with Google or Microsoft, then open Settings → Accounts → Connect another email. IMAP cannot create an Airo account or sign you in.
  2. Enter your email address and choose Continue. Google/Microsoft addresses recommend their secure provider sign-in. Provider buttons are also available on the first screen.
  3. For a recognized IMAP provider, enter its password/app password. The receiving and sending settings are filled in and hidden by default. Choose Change provider or server settings to inspect or edit them. If your Comcast mailbox moved to Yahoo, choose My Comcast mailbox moved to Yahoo and use your Yahoo app password; see the Comcast guide.
  4. For an unrecognized address, enter the server settings from your provider. Email service (optional) can fill settings for a custom domain hosted by one of the supported presets. iCloud/Fastmail aliases may need your primary account’s login name; edit the usernames when needed.
  5. Choose Connect mailbox. Airo checks both receiving and sending securely, then connects the mailbox. It does not add a receiving-only account.
  6. Wait for the first sync. You can start using the mailbox as mail arrives in Airo.

Edit email returns to the first screen and clears the old password/settings. Switching services also clears the old provider’s password. Failed connection attempts retain your input for retry. Reconnect uses the saved settings and locks the account address so the intended mailbox is updated. What this connection supports shows the feature differences without interrupting setup.

IMAP connects a mailbox to your existing Airo account; it cannot create an Airo account or sign you in. You do not need an Airo email verification code to connect or reconnect. Passwords remain in the form during retry and are cleared on completion or dismissal. Airo encrypts the server settings and credentials so syncing and scheduled sends can work while the app is closed. Saved server settings load when reconnecting; passwords are never returned to the client.

Supported features and limits

Reading, composing, replying, forwarding, drafts, attachments, read/unread, stars, folders, scheduled sends, undo-send, snooze, reminders and supported Airo filters use the existing IMAP/SMTP mail connection. The server must support standard folder operations. Airo locates appended drafts/Sent messages with a unique marker when UIDPLUS is unavailable. Provider-specific behavior still needs verification; support for configurable servers is not a claim that every provider has been certified.

  • Each message lives in one folder. Moving it changes its location in other apps too; this is not Gmail’s multiple-label model.
  • Search and conversation grouping can differ from Gmail/Outlook. Advanced Gmail operators, importance flags and folder colors are unavailable.
  • Contacts, calendars, cloud-drive integrations, provider aliases/signatures/vacation settings and native rule import are outside this mail connection. Manage those in your provider’s own settings.
  • New mail normally follows background polling, currently about every ten minutes; refresh to check sooner. Faster Inbox IDLE is limited to selected accounts, and requires server IDLE support. Other folders and missed events retain polling.
  • The first sync can take minutes. The current connector bounds each folder to 100,000 messages and messages to 25 MiB. Large or unusual mailboxes can require support.

Send a test email to yourself, check Sent in both Airo and your provider’s webmail, and try a draft and attachment. Scheduled sends need valid SMTP access at delivery time. Snooze/reminder jobs remain server-owned; reply-aware reminders depend on replies having synced.

Troubleshooting and reconnecting

Authentication rejected: check both usernames, the password/app password, and third-party access settings. OAuth-only accounts should use the dedicated provider connection.

Server unreachable or TLS error: confirm the hostname, port and security mode. Private addresses, invalid certificates and plaintext connections are deliberately refused.

Receiving works but sending fails: check the SMTP server, username and any separate SMTP password. Both connections must succeed before setup continues.

Account limit or mailbox already linked: use the Airo account that owns it or follow the plan-limit message. Changing server settings does not bypass account ownership.

After a password or server change, reconnect from Settings → Accounts and verify again. Removing the mailbox stops Airo access; revoke the app password at your provider if you also want to invalidate that credential. A stolen password remains valid until the provider revokes or rotates it.

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