Verizon Email IMAP Settings: Complete Setup Guide for Outlook & Apple Mail

Setting up your Verizon email account on a desktop email client like Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail requires the correct IMAP and SMTP server settings. Since Verizon migrated its email platform to AOL, the server settings have changed. This comprehensive guide provides the exact configurations you need to get your Verizon email working on any device.

📑 What You'll Learn

Verizon Email IMAP & SMTP Settings (Quick Reference)
Setup Verizon Email in Microsoft Outlook
Setup Verizon Email in Apple Mail (Mac & iPhone)
Setup Verizon Email in Mozilla Thunderbird
Setup Verizon Email on Android Devices
Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues
IMAP vs POP3: Which One Should You Choose?

⚠️ Important Update: Verizon email is now powered by AOL. If you're using older settings (verizon.net servers), they will no longer work. Use the AOL server settings provided in this guide.

📧 Verizon Email IMAP & SMTP Settings (Quick Reference)

Here are the correct server settings you'll need for any email client:

Server Type	Server Address	Port	Security	Authentication
Incoming (IMAP)	imap.aol.com	993	SSL/TLS	Yes (Full email & password)
Outgoing (SMTP)	smtp.aol.com	465 or 587	SSL/TLS	Yes (Full email & password)
Alternative Incoming (POP3)	pop.aol.com	995	SSL/TLS	Yes

💡 Pro Tip: IMAP is recommended over POP3 because it synchronizes your emails across all devices. POP3 downloads emails to a single device and removes them from the server.

📌 How to Setup Verizon Email in Microsoft Outlook

Step 1: Open Account Settings

Open Outlook → Go to File → Add Account (or Info → Add Account).

Step 2: Enter Your Email Address

Enter your full Verizon email address (e.g., yourname@verizon.net). Select Advanced options and check "Let me set up my account manually". Click Connect.

Step 3: Choose IMAP

Select IMAP as your account type.

Step 4: Enter Server Settings

Incoming mail (IMAP): imap.aol.com
Port: 993
Encryption method: SSL/TLS
Outgoing mail (SMTP): smtp.aol.com
Port: 465 or 587
Encryption method: SSL/TLS

Username: your full Verizon email address
Password: your Verizon email password

Step 5: Complete Setup

Click Next → Outlook will test the connection. If successful, click Done. Your Verizon email will now appear in Outlook.

🍎 How to Setup Verizon Email in Apple Mail (Mac & iPhone)

For Mac (macOS Mail):

Open Mail app → Mail → Add Account → Select Other Mail Account → Click Continue. Enter your name, full Verizon email, and password. Click Sign In. If automatic setup fails, click Next to enter settings manually:

Account Type: IMAP
Incoming Server: imap.aol.com (Port 993, SSL)
Outgoing Server: smtp.aol.com (Port 465 or 587, SSL)

For iPhone/iPad (iOS Mail):

Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add Mail Account. Enter your name, full Verizon email, password, and description. Tap Next. If automatic setup fails, tap Next and enter IMAP settings manually with the servers above.

🦊 How to Setup Verizon Email in Mozilla Thunderbird

Open Thunderbird → File → New → Existing Mail Account. Enter your name, Verizon email, and password. Click Continue. If automatic detection fails, click Manual config and enter:

Incoming (IMAP): imap.aol.com, Port 993, SSL/TLS, Normal password
Outgoing (SMTP): smtp.aol.com, Port 465 or 587, SSL/TLS, Normal password

Click Re-test → Done when connection is successful.

🤖 How to Setup Verizon Email on Android Devices

Using Gmail App:

Open Gmail → Tap profile picture → Add another account → Other → Enter your Verizon email and password. Follow prompts. If automatic setup fails, tap Manual setup and select IMAP. Enter the IMAP and SMTP settings provided above.

Using Samsung Email or Other Apps:

Open email app → Add account → Other or Manual setup → Select IMAP. Enter imap.aol.com (port 993, SSL) for incoming and smtp.aol.com (port 465 or 587, SSL) for outgoing. Use your full Verizon email as username.

🔧 Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues

✅ Login Failed / Authentication Error
- Double-check your password – reset it if necessary
- Ensure you're using your full email address as username
- If you have 2FA enabled, generate an app-specific password
- Try using port 587 for SMTP instead of 465

✅ Can't Send Emails (SMTP Error)
- Verify SMTP server is smtp.aol.com, not smtp.verizon.net
- Enable "Require authentication" for outgoing server
- Try changing SMTP port from 465 to 587 (or vice versa)
- Check if your antivirus/firewall is blocking port 465/587

✅ Connection Timed Out
- Check your internet connection
- Temporarily disable VPN or proxy
- Ensure you're using SSL/TLS encryption
- Test with a different network (switch from Wi-Fi to cellular)

💡 App-Specific Passwords for 2FA: If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Verizon/AOL account, you'll need to generate an "app password" for email clients. Go to your AOL account security settings → App passwords → Generate a password for Outlook/Mail app → Use that password in your email client instead of your regular password.

📊 IMAP vs POP3: Which One Should You Choose?

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) – RECOMMENDED

Emails stay on the server and sync across all devices
Changes (read/unread, delete, move) sync everywhere
Access your full email history from any device
Better for users who check email on multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet)

POP3 (Post Office Protocol)

Downloads emails to a single device and removes from server
Emails are only accessible on that one device
Useful if you have limited server storage or want offline access only
Not recommended if you use multiple devices

📝 Quick Reference Card

Setting	Value
IMAP Server	imap.aol.com
IMAP Port	993
IMAP Security	SSL/TLS
SMTP Server	smtp.aol.com
SMTP Port	465 or 587
SMTP Security	SSL/TLS
Username	Your full @verizon.net email
Authentication	Required (Same as incoming)

Final Note: If you've followed this guide and still can't get your Verizon email working, don't hesitate to contact our support team. We can remotely connect to your device and configure everything for you in minutes.