If that seems familiar, Microsoft calls it an App Password or App Specific Password. The App Password for /Hotmail bypasses the need for two-factor authentication and oAuth when setting up older software. Whatever it’s called, it’s the same thing.Īs an alternative, the mail host gives you a special password to use instead of the regular password.Įnter this special password into your Outlook or other mail client, the password will be recognized as belonging to you only. don’t know about Open Authentication but never fear, there’s a workaround.ĪTT calls it a ‘Secure Mail Key’ but it goes under many names like App Password. Choose ‘Let me set up my account manually’ to bypass Microsoft’s help. Sometimes Outlook gets it wrong or you prefer a different connection. Enter the email address and Outlook will figure out what type of login and account connection is best. The Android mail setup gives you a selection of mail hosts, these are known oAuth mail hosts. The mail program or app will figure it out for you. You don’t need to worry about the details of oAuth. Older iPhones, Android and other devices might not have it.
Modern Outlook supports oAuth but older ones do not. Many mail hosts have switched to oAuth, the latest is AT&T which prompted some emails from Office Watch readers. It needs a change in email software like Outlook as well as the mail host.
OAuth (Open Authentication) is an Internet standard for logging in.
Older versions of Outlook don’t know about Open Authentication but there’s a workaround.
BEST EMAIL CLIENT FOR MAC THAT SUPPORTS OAUTH HOW TO
Here’s how to use oAuth and how to bypass it, if your email program doesn’t support it. It’s mostly hidden from us mere humans but important to understand. Over time there’s been a change in the way email programs login to your mail host.