How to set up Outlook

The instructions and screenshots in this setup guide are for Outlook 2016. However, previous versions of Outlook are very similar, and you should be able to follow the same steps to set up.

Outlook needs its own app password to access your information. If you use your normal password or your Fastmail two step verification password on an external account, syncing to an external service won't work and you will see a password error.

Set up your email

  1. Open Outlook. If this is your first account, it will ask you to open a new account. Enter your Fastmail address, select Advanced options and select to Enter your details manually.

    Add new account screenshot

  2. If Outlook does not prompt you to add a new account immediately, use the File button in the top left of the window, then use Add Account, which will take you to the new account welcome screen as shown above.

    Add Account screenshot

  3. Choose your account type: IMAP or POP (We recommend IMAP).

    Choose account type screenshot

  4. Fill in the account settings:
    • Incoming mail server: imap.fastmail.com, port: 993
    • Outgoing mail server: smtp.fastmail.com, port: 465
    • Encryption method: SSL/TLS

      account settings screenshot

  5. Enter your Outlook app password (What is an app password?) for incoming mail at imap.fastmail.com.

    incoming server password screenshot

  6. Then, again enter your Outlook app password (What is an app password?) for outgoing mail at smtp.fastmail.com.

    outgoing server password screenshot

  7. Outlook will perform a connection test which includes sending a test email to your address. If it finds any issues, double check the settings in the steps above.

Using all folders in Outlook

Outlook may not show all of your folders by default. To fix this:

  1. Click on your Inbox folder.
  2. Click on the FOLDER tab in the main menu.
  3. Click on IMAP Folders. A new window will open.

  4. Uncheck the box for show only subscribed folders, which will mean all folders are shown:

Contacts and calendars not supported

Outlook 2016 does not support CalDAV or CardDAV. You will need to use a third party plugin.

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