If you’ve ever tried to set up Outlook on a new device or email client, you’ve probably asked yourself: what is the host for outlook? Outlook’s host refers to the email server address your account connects to, like outlook.office365.com. This is the key piece of information that lets your email app talk to Microsoft’s servers and sync your messages, calendar, and contacts.
Getting this setting wrong is a common reason why Outlook won’t send or receive emails. But don’t worry—it’s simple once you know where to look. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact host names for different Outlook accounts, how to find them, and how to set them up manually.
What Is The Host For Outlook
The host for Outlook is essentially the server address that your email client uses to connect to Microsoft’s mail servers. For most personal Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Live.com accounts, the host is outlook.office365.com for incoming IMAP connections. For outgoing emails (SMTP), it’s smtp.office365.com. If you have a Microsoft 365 business account, the host might look slightly different, but it follows the same pattern.
Think of it like a mailing address for your email. Without the correct host, your email app can’t find the server to deliver or pick up messages. It’s that critical.
Why The Host Matters
When you configure Outlook on a phone, tablet, or desktop app, you need to enter the host name correctly. If you type it wrong, you’ll get connection errors. The host tells your device: “Hey, this is where the mail server lives.”
For example, if you use Outlook for Windows or Mac, the app often auto-detects the settings. But if you’re setting up a third-party app like Thunderbird or Apple Mail, you’ll need to enter the host manually.
Common Host Names For Different Outlook Accounts
Not all Outlook accounts use the same host. Here’s a quick breakdown based on the type of account you have.
Outlook.com, Hotmail, And Live Accounts
These are personal email addresses ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com. For these, the host settings are standard:
- Incoming mail server (IMAP): outlook.office365.com
- Incoming port: 993
- Encryption: SSL/TLS
- Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.office365.com
- Outgoing port: 587
- Encryption: STARTTLS
You’ll also need your full email address as the username and your account password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you might need an app password instead.
Microsoft 365 Business Or Work Accounts
If you have a work or school email through Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), the host is usually the same: outlook.office365.com. However, your organization might use a custom domain like @yourcompany.com. In that case, the host remains the same, but your username is your full email address.
Some older business accounts might use Exchange ActiveSync. For those, the host is typically outlook.office365.com as well, but you’ll use the Exchange protocol instead of IMAP.
Outlook With Exchange Server (On-Premises)
If your company runs its own Exchange server on-site, the host will be different. You’ll need to ask your IT department for the server address. It might look something like mail.yourcompany.com or exchange.yourcompany.com. This is less common now, but it still exists.
How To Find Your Outlook Host Settings
If you’re not sure what host your Outlook account uses, there are a few ways to check. I’ll show you the easiest methods.
Method 1: Check In Outlook Desktop App
- Open Outlook on your computer.
- Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings again.
- Select your email account and click Change.
- Look for the section labeled “Server Information.”
- You’ll see the incoming and outgoing mail server addresses listed there.
This works for both Windows and Mac versions of Outlook. If the fields are grayed out, you might need to click “More Settings” first.
Method 2: Check In Outlook On The Web
You can also find your host settings by logging into your account through a web browser:
- Go to outlook.com and sign in.
- Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right.
- Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom.
- Go to Mail > Sync email.
- Look for “POP and IMAP” settings. You’ll see the server names there.
This method is handy if you don’t have the desktop app installed.
Method 3: Use Microsoft’s Auto-Discover Tool
Microsoft has a tool that can automatically detect your server settings. If you’re setting up a new device, you can try entering your email address and letting the app find the host for you. Most modern email clients support auto-discovery. Just enter your email and password, and the app will try to fetch the settings automatically.
If auto-discovery fails, you’ll need to enter the host manually using the details I provided earlier.
Step-By-Step: Setting Up Outlook With The Correct Host
Let me walk you through setting up Outlook on a few common platforms. I’ll use the standard host settings for personal accounts.
On Windows (Outlook Desktop App)
- Open Outlook and go to File > Add Account.
- Enter your email address and click Connect.
- If prompted, choose “Advanced options” and check “Let me set up my account manually.”
- Select IMAP as the account type.
- Enter the following:
- Incoming mail server: outlook.office365.com
- Outgoing mail server: smtp.office365.com
- Username: Your full email address
- Password: Your account password
- Click Next and let Outlook test the connection.
- If successful, you’re all set.
On Mac (Outlook For Mac)
- Open Outlook and go to Tools > Accounts.
- Click the + sign and select New Account.
- Choose Other Email if prompted.
- Enter your name, email address, and password.
- For Account Type, select IMAP.
- Enter the server details:
- Incoming server: outlook.office365.com
- Outgoing server: smtp.office365.com
- Click Add Account.
On IPhone Or IPad
- Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
- Select Other > Add Mail Account.
- Enter your name, email, password, and a description.
- Tap Next.
- Choose IMAP for the incoming server type.
- Fill in the host fields:
- Incoming Mail Server Hostname: outlook.office365.com
- Outgoing Mail Server Hostname: smtp.office365.com
- Username: Your full email address (for both)
- Password: Your password (for both)
- Tap Next and wait for verification.
On Android
- Open the Email app or Gmail app.
- Tap the menu icon and go to Settings > Add account.
- Select Other (or IMAP).
- Enter your email address and password.
- Choose IMAP as the account type.
- Enter the server details:
- Incoming server: outlook.office365.com
- Outgoing server: smtp.office365.com
- Port: 993 (incoming), 587 (outgoing)
- Security: SSL/TLS (incoming), STARTTLS (outgoing)
- Tap Next and finish setup.
Troubleshooting Common Host Issues
Sometimes you enter the correct host but still get errors. Here are a few things to check.
Incorrect Port Or Encryption
The host is only half the equation. You also need the right port and encryption. For IMAP, port 993 with SSL/TLS is standard. For SMTP, port 587 with STARTTLS is correct. If you use port 465 for SMTP, that’s also SSL/TLS, but 587 is more common for Outlook.
Double-check these settings in your email client. A mismatch can cause connection failures even if the host is right.
Two-Factor Authentication
If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on your Microsoft account, you can’t use your regular password in third-party apps. You’ll need to generate an app password. Here’s how:
- Go to account.microsoft.com/security.
- Sign in and go to Advanced security options.
- Under “App passwords,” click Create a new app password.
- Use that generated password in your email client instead of your regular one.
This is a common oversight. Without an app password, the connection will be rejected.
Firewall Or Network Restrictions
Some corporate or school networks block certain ports. If you’re on a restricted network, try using a different network (like your home Wi-Fi) to test. If it works there, the issue is with your network, not the host.
You can also try using the Outlook app for mobile devices, which often bypasses these restrictions by using a different protocol.
Account Type Mismatch
Make sure you’re using the right protocol. If you have an Exchange account, don’t set it up as IMAP. For Exchange, the host is usually the same (outlook.office365.com), but you’ll select “Exchange” or “Microsoft 365” as the account type instead of IMAP. This is important for syncing calendar and contacts.
Advanced Host Settings For Power Users
If you’re comfortable with technical details, here are some additional host-related settings that might be useful.
Using POP3 Instead Of IMAP
Some people prefer POP3 because it downloads emails to one device. For Outlook, the POP3 host is outlook.office365.com as well, but the port is 995 with SSL/TLS. The SMTP settings remain the same. However, Microsoft recommends IMAP over POP3 for most users because it syncs across devices.
Exchange ActiveSync Host
For mobile devices, Outlook uses Exchange ActiveSync (EAS). The host is still outlook.office365.com, but you’ll choose “Exchange” or “Microsoft Exchange” as the account type. This gives you push email, calendar, and contact sync.
Custom Domains And Hosts
If you have a custom domain (like @yourname.com) hosted by Microsoft, the host remains the same. But if you use a third-party email service that forwards to Outlook, the host might be different. In that case, check with your email provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the host for Outlook on an iPhone?
The host for Outlook on an iPhone is outlook.office365.com for incoming mail and smtp.office365.com for outgoing mail. Use IMAP as the account type with port 993 and SSL/TLS.
Can I use the same host for Hotmail and Outlook.com?
Yes, both Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts use the same host: outlook.office365.com. The settings are identical regardless of the domain.
What if my Outlook host is not outlook.office365.com?
If you have an on-premises Exchange server or a non-Microsoft email provider, your host will be different. Check with your IT department or email provider for the correct server address.
Do I need to use IMAP or POP for Outlook?
Microsoft recommends IMAP because it syncs your email across all devices. POP only downloads emails to one device and doesn’t sync read status or folders.
Why does my Outlook keep asking for the host?
This usually happens when auto-detection fails. Manually enter the host as outlook.office365.com for incoming and smtp.office365.com for outgoing. Make sure your password is correct and that you’re using the right port.
Final Thoughts On The Outlook Host
Knowing the host for Outlook is one of those small but essential pieces of information that makes email setup painless. Whether you’re using a personal @outlook.com address or a business Microsoft 365 account, the host is almost always outlook.office365.com for incoming and smtp.office365.com for outgoing.
If you ever get stuck, just remember to check your account type, port numbers, and encryption settings. And if you have two-factor authentication enabled, don’t forget to use an app password. With these details in hand, you’ll have your email up and running in minutes.
I hope this guide helped you understand what the host for Outlook is and how to use it. If you run into any issues, leave a comment below and I’ll try to help you out.