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

If this problem appeared when you upgraded to Leopard (10.5) it's probably because security for your keychain has been tighted down in Leopard. You may want to run Keychain First Aid to repair and restart.

Another thing you can try is using authenticated POP (or APOP). Below are directions for setting up APOP.

Resolution

 Setting up Mac Mail to check your mail using SSL.  
 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!