How to Set Up Hotmail with POP, IMAP, and SMTP on Any Device

You can set up Hotmail with virtually any email app that supports POP or IMAP protocols. Hotmail (also known as Outlook.com) allows you to download messages to your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and send emails via an SMTP server.

This guide covers Hotmail POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings, how to enable them, and step-by-step instructions for configuring Hotmail on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, or other devices.

Understanding POP, IMAP, and SMTP

• POP (Post Office Protocol): Downloads emails from your Hotmail inbox to your device. Changes you make on your device (like deleting emails) do not sync back to the server unless configured.
• IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): Syncs your emails, folders, and actions across multiple devices. Any change on one device is reflected on all others connected to the same Hotmail account.
• SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Handles outgoing emails, allowing you to send messages from your Hotmail account via any email client.

💡 Tip: For most users, IMAP is recommended because it keeps your Hotmail account synced across all devices. POP can be useful if you primarily want to download emails offline.

See more: POP vs IMAP – Differences and Pros & Cons

Hotmail IMAP Settings

To set up Hotmail using IMAP:

Incoming (IMAP) Server:

• Server: imap-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 993
• Encryption: SSL

Outgoing (SMTP) Server:

• Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 25 (or 587 if 25 is blocked)
• Encryption: TLS
• Authentication: Yes

Credentials:

• Username: Your full Hotmail email address (@hotmail.com)
• Password: Your Hotmail account password

Why IMAP? IMAP syncs your emails and folders across all devices, including Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and custom folders. Actions like deleting, marking as read, or moving emails are automatically synced.

Hotmail POP3 Settings

If you prefer POP3, you must first enable POP access in your Hotmail account:

How to Enable POP in Hotmail

1. Sign in at Outlook.com or Hotmail.com.
2. Click the gear icon → select Options.
3. Under Managing your account, click Connect devices and apps with POP.
4. Select Enable under POP.
5. Click Save.

Hotmail POP Settings

Incoming (POP3) Server:

• Server: pop-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 995
• Encryption: SSL

Outgoing (SMTP) Server:

• Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 25 (or 587 if 25 is blocked)
• Encryption: TLS
• Authentication: Yes

Credentials:

• Username: Your full Hotmail email address (@hotmail.com)
• Password: Your Hotmail password

POP Extra Tips

• To keep emails on the server after downloading: select Leave a copy of messages on the server.
• Outlook.com provides a POP folder for messages deleted by POP if needed.
• You can override POP deletion behavior:
  • Don’t let devices/apps delete messages – keeps emails safe on the server
  • Do what the device/app says – allows deletion after download

💡 Recommendation: Keep a copy of your emails on the Hotmail server to avoid losing data and simplify backups.

Hotmail SMTP Settings

The SMTP (Outgoing) server settings are the same for both IMAP and POP:

• Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
• Port: 25 (or 587)
• Encryption: TLS
• Authentication: Yes
• Username & Password: Your full Hotmail email and password

Setting Up Hotmail on Email Clients, Phones, & Tablets

Most modern devices and email apps automatically configure Hotmail settings:

• Email clients: Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Outlook Express
• Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch Mail app
• Android devices: Gmail, Samsung Mail, or other built-in mail apps

Simply enter your Hotmail email and password, and your device usually fills in IMAP/POP/SMTP details automatically.

Hotmail, Live Mail, and Outlook.com

• Hotmail, Live Mail, and Outlook.com are essentially the same service.
• Microsoft is gradually migrating all Hotmail and Live Mail users to Outlook.com.
• You can log in via Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, or Mail.Live.com.

✅ Summary

• Use IMAP for synced access across devices.
• Use POP if you prefer offline email storage.
• SMTP settings remain consistent for sending emails.
• Most modern email clients automatically configure your Hotmail account.
• Keep a copy of emails on the server for safety and easier backups.

With these settings, you can set up Hotmail on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, or any email client supporting POP or IMAP.