Add AOL Email to Outlook New & Classic on Mac & Win
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In order to add an AOL email account to the Outlook desktop application (New/Classic) on Mac or Windows, you can use automatic or manual setup with IMAP settings and an “App Password,” as AOL no longer accepts regular account passwords for third-party apps like Outlook.
Follow the complete AOL email account in Microsoft Outlook setup guide with IMAP/SMTP settings, steps to handle 2-step-verification and generate app-password & troubleshoot common issues including “INTERACTIONREQUIRED” to sync AOL emails in Outlook.
Does Outlook Auto-Configure AOL Mail?
Yes, you can set up AOL email in Outlook Windows or Mac using “Auto-Configure” without manually entering IMAP & SMTP server settings- Outlook auto detects the account type & such details. It lets you connect your AOL Email to Outlook faster. Although you are still required to follow the authentication steps.
Reasons for Adding AOL Email to Outlook
- Unified Inbox: Users generally operate multiple email accounts for different needs like for professional & personal use. To keep mailbox unified, all such account users are often required to add AOL email to Outlook.
- Offline Access: Another major reason to set up AOL email in Microsoft Outlook email client to get access to AOL email offline. Using Outlook, users can access their AOL mail account even in offline mode without having an active internet connection.
- Seamless Integration with Office Apps: Professional users like to add AOL account mail in Outlook to integrate their workflow with Office applications. It helps working professionals accelerate their working output with seamless integration of Office productivity solutions.
- Advanced Sorting & Filtering: Outlook offers custom sorting & filtering settings with regular updates. It helps AOL account users organize their emails in an accessible manner. Therefore, users are often required to add AOL email in Outlook.
These were the major reasons behind adding AOL account to Microsoft Outlook. To transfer AOL emails to Outlook application, we are beginning with a dedicated, secure, desktop-based automatic solution to connect AOL email to Outlook in next section.
Preparation Before You Sync/Add AOL Email to Outlook
- Correct & verified username, AOL hosted email ID and account password (the need of an App-Password does not automatically eliminate the need for an account password).
- Outlook application installed on your desktop.
Set Up 2FA and Generate App Password to Add AOL to Outlook
Many AOL users can’t access their accounts in Outlook or receive errors like “SessionId”:”[PII]”,”Timestamp”:[PII],”Error connection failed”INTERACTIONREQUIRED”” or authentication & connection failed message due to using general “Account Password” instead of “App-Password” follow the exact steps here:
Steps to Enable 2FA to Add AOL Email to Outlook
You can skip this in case already enabled
- Log in to your AOL account security page – https://login.aol.com/myaccount/security/ on Chrome or any other browser.
- Click on enable 2-step-verification.
- Choose the secondary authentication method – Phone number, Authenticator app and Security key.
- Complete the verification and double-check your information.
Generate & Use App Password for AOL in Outlook
- Go to https://login.aol.com/myaccount/security/app-password and “Get Started.”
- In the App Name enter “Outlook” and “Generate Password.”
- Copy the app-password and store it separately.
AOL Mail Settings for Outlook: IMAP, POP & SMTP Connection
| Setting | IMAP | POP | SMTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server | imap.aol.com | pop.aol.com | smtp.aol.com |
| Port | 993 | 995 | 465 or 587 |
| Security | SSL/TLS | SSL/TLS | SSL/TLS |
| Username | Full AOL email address | Full AOL email address | Full AOL email address |
| Password | AOL App Password | AOL App Password | AOL App Password |
Add AOL Email to New Outlook Application
- Open New Outlook application on your computer.
- Click on File >> Account Info >> Add Account.
- Enter your AOL mail id that you want to configure in Microsoft Outlook and press continue.
- Enter the AOL App Password you just created.
- Press Continue and Done.
If connection fails on port 465, try port 587 with STARTTLS instead, you can view these settings upon turning the “Show More” toggle on.
Add AOL Email to Classic Outlook: 2024/2021/2019/2016
You can add AOL to Outlook Classic using auto configure or manual setup:
First Hand Steps to Follow to Set Up AOL Account in Outlook Using Auto Configure:
- Open Outlook Classic application on your computer.
- Click on File >> Add Account.
- Enter your AOL Mail ID >> Press Connect.
- Enter your App Password and Continue.
Manually Add AOL Mail to Outlook:
Many users choose to connect AOL account to Outlook manually for multiple reasons like:
- Auto-configuration failure
- Required setting especially for application & macro check
- Need to connect AOL to Outlook via POP instead of IMAP
Here are the steps to follow
- Open Outlook and go to the “File” option.
- Click “Add Account” & enter your AOL Mail ID.
- Click on “Advanced Option” and choose “Let Me Set Up My Account Manually” and press “Connect”.
- Choose “IMAP” or “POP” as per your requirement.
- Enter your “AOL App Password.”
- Enter listed below details
- Incoming: IMAP Server, Port, Check the “This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL/TLS)” option & SPA (optional)
- Outgoing: SMTP Server, Port, Encryption method: SSL/TLS & SPA (optional)
- Finally, hit “OK” > Next & click the “Finish” button.
- Done! Use settings given below for IMAP & follow the same procedure to set up AOL email in Outlook.
How to Add AOL Email to Outlook for Mac? Steps
The steps to setup AOL email in Outlook for Mac is similar to that in Windows. Outlook >> Settings >> Accounts >> + to add a new account. Enter your AOL address, and if automatic sign-in doesn’t complete, switch to manual setup and enter the IMAP/SMTP settings.
What Data Gets Synced from AOL Account to Outlook?
Upon adding an AOL account to Outlook you will only be able to sync – only email messages, folders, attachments, and standard headers (sender, recipients, subject, date).
Adding an AOL account to Outlook does not import AOL contacts & calendar to Outlook; this is because – IMAP & POP are not email message sync platforms.
Troubleshoot Common Issues to Connect AOL Mail to MS Outlook
| Common Issue When You Add AOL to Outlook | Reasons & Easy Fixes for Complete Sync |
|---|---|
| Outlook keeps rejecting my AOL password | Enter AOL App-Password after enabling 2FA as Outlook is a third-party app or AOL |
| {“Error”:”INTERACTIONREQUIRED”} | Happens when reinstalling Outlook & then connecting AOL. Remove pre-existing AOL configuration on Outlook and re-add AOL to Outlook using manual settings. |
| No message appears when connect AOL to Outlook | Disable all Outlook filters and in case your AOL mailbox is way too large Outlook may fail to sync messages |
| Not able to send messages after configuring AOL Mail to Outlook Desktop | If connection fails on port 465, try port 587 with STARTTLS instead, you can view these settings upon turning the “Show More” toggle on or manual setup. |
Easy Alternative to Copy AOL Mail to Outlook Desktop
The steps above discussed the live sync of emails from AOL mail server to local Outlook. Deleting an account or message from AOL removes it from Outlook. With BitRecover AOL Backup Tool you can bulk export AOL email to PST with all attachments, folder structure intact and complete data without errors within minutes that can be further imported in Outlook desktop. Give a try to the free version of the software today. Learn: How to Import in Outlook Web or How to Import PST in New Outlook?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How to add AOL email to Outlook?
You can add AOL email to Outlook using the techniques given above. But if you go with manual methods, you might lose your data integrity, folder hierarchy, and email attachments. On the other hand, you will securely transfer email in Microsoft Outlook in just a few clicks with use suggested an automated tool.
Q2. Can’t add AOL email to Outlook?
Don’t worry, you can add AOL email to Outlook by using both manual & automatic techniques simply. Adding AOL account to Outlook manually, you must have knowledge of Outlook & its working features to add it. But if you use a professional, desktop-based automatic solution, then you will securely do AOL setup in Microsoft Outlook.
Q3. How do I add my AOL email account to a popular desktop email client?
You can try recommended AOL backup tool to add your AOL email account to any popular desktop email clients with full accuracy & security.
Q4. What are the steps to configure an AOL email in a widely used email application?
Follow steps below to configure AOL email securely, directly, easily & quickly without facing any challenges:
- Open tool > enter email ID along with app password.
- Select required folder > choose saving option & destination path > click backup.
- Run Outlook > File > pick Import/Export > Select file as Outlook data file (.pst).
- Import from local computer > click Open.
Read More: How to Migrate AOL to Office 365?




