KB 458

Why does my Mac Mail on Mac OSX keep asking for my Password and failing?

Article ID: 458
Created: Apr-11-2007

Question or Symptoms

In mid-January 2007, Apple put out a security update for Mac OSX which broke Mac Mail's handling of POP email. It now will only check email using Authenticated POP, or APOP, which is not all that different, but different enough to break things.

Resolution

To fix this problem, it is necessary to setup Mac Mail to check your mail using SSL. The steps below should help with that. Step 1, go to preferences in Mac Mail, Step 2, choose 'accounts' Step 3, click out going mail 'server settings' button Step 4, check off, "Use Secure Sockets Layer SSL" Step 5, Select "use password authentication" Step 6, close preferences, close MacMail and restart MacMail Step 7, Click 'Getmail' if it asks for the password/keychain again enter it one last time. Done!