How to Add an Email Account to Outlook (Gmail, iCloud, Work and More)
Outlook isn't just for Microsoft email. You can read your Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo and work mail all in one place, with one inbox, one calendar and one set of contacts. Adding an account takes about two minutes — as long as you know which version of Outlook you have.
Quick reference
| Version | Where to add an account |
|---|---|
| New Outlook (Windows/Mac) | Settings → Accounts → Email accounts → Add account |
| Classic Outlook (Windows) | File → Add Account |
| Outlook on your phone | Settings → Add mail account |
1. Add an account in new Outlook
1. Click the Settings cog (top right).
2. Go to Accounts → Email accounts.
3. Click Add account.
4. Type your email address and click Continue.
5. Sign in on your provider's page (Google, Apple and so on) and click Allow when it asks for permission.
2. Go to Accounts → Email accounts.
3. Click Add account.
4. Type your email address and click Continue.
5. Sign in on your provider's page (Google, Apple and so on) and click Allow when it asks for permission.
Your new account appears in the folder list on the left, under your existing one. Emails start downloading straight away — a big mailbox can take a while to fill up.
2. Add an account in classic Outlook
1. Click File, then Add Account.
2. Type your email address.
3. Click Advanced options and tick Let me set up my account manually only if the automatic setup fails. Otherwise, click Connect.
4. Enter your password (or sign in with your provider) and click Done.
2. Type your email address.
3. Click Advanced options and tick Let me set up my account manually only if the automatic setup fails. Otherwise, click Connect.
4. Enter your password (or sign in with your provider) and click Done.
Classic Outlook may ask you to restart it before the new account shows up.
3. Add an account on your phone
1. Open the Outlook app.
2. Tap your profile picture (top left), then the Settings cog.
3. Tap Add mail account → Add an email account.
4. Type your address, tap Continue and sign in.
2. Tap your profile picture (top left), then the Settings cog.
3. Tap Add mail account → Add an email account.
4. Type your address, tap Continue and sign in.
Adding Gmail
Google now insists on signing in through its own page, so you'll see a Google window asking you to allow Outlook access. That's normal. If you have two-step verification on your Google account, you'll be asked for your code too.
Adding iCloud
New Outlook signs in with your Apple ID as normal. Classic Outlook sometimes needs an app-specific password instead of your normal one: go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, choose App-Specific Passwords, generate one, and use that in Outlook.
Switching between accounts
Each account has its own Inbox in the folder list. For one combined view, pin the inboxes you use most to Favourites (right-click → Add to Favourites) so they sit together at the top.
When you write a new email, check the From line — Outlook uses the account you were looking at when you clicked New mail. Click From to switch.
Troubleshooting
"Something went wrong" or the password is rejected. Make sure you can sign in on the provider's website first. If you've recently changed your password, Outlook may still be using the old one — remove the account and add it again.
IMAP isn't enabled. Some providers turn off IMAP access by default. Look for it in the provider's web settings (in Gmail, Settings → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP).
The account was added but no email arrives. Give it a few minutes, then click Send/Receive (classic) or press F9. Check that the account isn't set to only download recent mail.
Wrapping up
One app for all your email saves a surprising amount of time. Add every account you check regularly, pin the inboxes you use most to Favourites, and keep an eye on the From line when you reply.
