This article explains how to set up an AOL account in the Mail application on a Mac using either IMAP or POP protocol.

What to Know

  • Open Mail on a Mac. Choose Mail > Preferences in the menu bar. Go to Accounts, select the + button, and then select AOL > Continue.Enter your AOL account login information and select Sign In. Configure the account for either IMAP or POP.An AOL mailbox is created in the Mac’s Mail app, where you can send and receive AOL mail.

How to Set Up AOL Mail on a Mac Using IMAP

While you can always check your AOL email through a web browser, Apple Mail makes it easy for you to access the same content and features from an app.

There are two ways to do this. One is to use POP (Post Office Protocol) and the other is through IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). Neither is difficult to configure because the Mail app on iPhone comes preconfigured for both IMAP an POP mail for AOL.

To set up AOL using IMAP protocol:

  • Open Apple Mail, and select Mail > Preferences from the menu bar.
  • Select the Accounts tab.
  • Select the + button under the accounts list.
  • Select AOL, then select Continue.
  • Enter your name, AOL email address, and AOL password in the text fields.
  • Select Sign In.
  • Highlight the newly created AOL account in Accounts list.
  • Select the Mailbox Behaviors tab.
  • In the Sent pane, make sure Store sent messages on the server is not checked.
  • In the Junk pane, open the drop-down menu and select Quitting Mail.
  • Close the Accounts configuration window. Select Save if asked to Save changes to the ‘AOL’ IMAP account?

How to Set Up AOL Mail on a Mac Using POP

  • Set up your AOL account as shown in the previous section.
  • Select the Server settings tab.
  • In the Outgoing Mail Account menu, select Edit SMTP Server List from the drop down.
  • Select the + sign.
  • Double-click the highlighted text under Server Name.
  • In Host Name, enter smtp.aol.com.
  • Enter your AOL username and password into the corresponding boxes below.
  • Select Agree on the terms and agreements page.
  • Select which applications you wish to use with this mail account and select Done.
  • Close the Accounts configuration window.

Open Apple Mail, and select Mail > Preferences from the menu bar.

Select the Accounts tab.

Select the + button under the accounts list.

Select AOL, then select Continue.

Enter your name, AOL email address, and AOL password in the text fields.

Select Sign In.

Highlight the newly created AOL account in Accounts list.

Select the Mailbox Behaviors tab.

In the Sent pane, make sure Store sent messages on the server is not checked.

In the Junk pane, open the drop-down menu and select Quitting Mail.

Close the Accounts configuration window. Select Save if asked to Save changes to the ‘AOL’ IMAP account?

POP fetches your messages for offline access so you can read all your new emails. IMAP allows you to mark messages as Read or Delete messages and those changes are reflected in other email clients and online through a browser.

Set up your AOL account as shown in the previous section.

Select the Server settings tab.

In the Outgoing Mail Account menu, select Edit SMTP Server List from the drop down.

Select the + sign.

Double-click the highlighted text under Server Name.

In Host Name, enter smtp.aol.com.

Enter your AOL username and password into the corresponding boxes below.

Select Agree on the terms and agreements page.

Select which applications you wish to use with this mail account and select Done.

Close the Accounts configuration window.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day