Meta Description: Having trouble with AOL Mail on your iPhone? Discover common issues and easy fixes to get your email working smoothly again.
Are you having problems with AOL Mail on your iPhone? Maybe your emails aren't coming through, sending is failing, or you keep getting asked for your password. Don't worry, you're not alone. This guide, Troubleshooting AOL Mail on Your iPhone (Simple Solutions), will walk you through the most common problems and give you some easy things to try to get your AOL Mail back up and running fast.
Your emails aren't sending or arriving. Your inbox might be empty, or messages might be stuck in your outbox.
AOL Mail only updates when you pull down to refresh, even though it should update automatically.
You keep getting asked for your password, or you see Account Error messages, stopping you from getting in.
The Mail app or the AOL Mail app might crash, freeze, or stop responding when you open it.
If the IMAP or SMTP settings aren't right, your iPhone can't talk to the AOL servers the way it should.
A wrong or old password can stop your email from updating. This also goes for issues with two-step verification.
A weak or spotty internet can make AOL Mail fail to update or send emails.
Sometimes, when you update your iPhone, it can mess up your mail settings or turn off things like background updating, messing with AOL Mail.
Go to AOL.com in Safari or any browser and log in to your AOL account.
If it works there, the problem is just on your iPhone.
See if your Wi-Fi or phone data is working by visiting a website or using another app.
Head to the AOL Service Status page to see if they're having any problems on their end.
Settings → Mail → Accounts → AOL
Tap Account
Type your AOL email password again
Save and exit
This freshens up your login info and reconnects you to the AOL servers.
Incoming (IMAP):
Server: imap.aol.com
Port: 993
SSL: ON
Outgoing (SMTP):
Server: smtp.aol.com
Port: 465 or 587
SSL: ON
Authentication: Password
Wrong server settings are a big reason why emails stop updating.
Open the App Switcher (swipe up from the bottom on iPhone X and later, or double-click the Home button on older models).
Find the Mail app and flick it off the screen to close it.
Open the Mail app again.
This gets rid of any temporary glitches or stuck things going on in the app.
A restart can fix many little problems:
Hold the power button and volume button (on iPhone X or newer) or just the power button (on older models).
Slide to power off, wait for 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
This resets the system and can help with updating or email problems.
Go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → AOL
Tap Delete Account
Restart your iPhone
Add your AOL account again by tapping Add Account → AOL and entering your info.
This fixes messed up account info and reconnects to the AOL servers.
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings
Type in your passcode to confirm
You'll have to reconnect to your Wi-Fi after this because it will forget your passwords.
Resetting network settings can fix problems caused by Wi-Fi or phone data issues.
Go to Settings → General → Software Update and make sure you have the newest version of iOS.
See if there are any updates for the Mail app in the App Store.
Updating your software makes sure everything works well together and fixes any problems.
If you have two-step verification turned on for your AOL account, you might need a special password for apps:
Log in to your AOL account security settings.
Create an app-specific password.
Type this password into your Mail settings instead of your regular AOL password.
This makes sure things are secure if you have two-step verification turned on.
Sometimes, the AOL Mail app works better than the Apple Mail app, after updates or security changes. It also handles notifications better.
Make sure your iPhone and apps are up-to-date to avoid glitches and compatibility issues.
Use good Wi-Fi and stay away from VPNs or proxies that can mess with email updating.
Changing your password a lot can cause update problems. If you do change it, make sure you update it everywhere you use it.
1. Why does AOL Mail stop updating on my iPhone?
Update problems are usually because of a wrong password or IMAP/SMTP settings, bad internet, or iOS updates.
2. Will deleting my AOL account delete my emails?
No, your emails are kept on AOL's servers, so you won't lose them.
3. What's the difference between Push and Fetch?
Push sends emails right away, while Fetch checks for them every so often. Fetch is often how AOL Mail works on iPhones.
4. Can I fix AOL Mail errors without deleting my account?
Yep, you can usually fix things by putting your password in again, checking your settings, or restarting your iPhone.
5. Should I use the AOL Mail app?
If the Apple Mail app keeps giving you trouble, the AOL Mail app might work better and be more secure.
Dealing with AOL Mail Problems on iPhone can be annoying, but the fixes are usually pretty easy. By following the steps in this guide, you can handle problems with logging in, updating, or app issues. Regularly updating your iPhone and checking your settings can help avoid these problems down the road, so your email experience on your iPhone is smooth sailing.