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How to add an email account on Mac

How to add an email account on Mac
How to add an email account on Mac

Adding an email account to your Mac is more than a simple setup process; it's an opportunity to optimize your email experience and boost productivity.

In today's digital age, efficiently managing your email on multiple devices is crucial for staying connected and productive, whether for personal or professional use.

This guide will walk you through the process of adding an email account to your Mac and provide tips on selecting a third-party email app.

Step-by-step guide to adding an email account to your Mac

  1. Open Apple Mail: You can find it in your Dock or by a Spotlight search (Cmd + Space).
  2. Access Mail preferences: Click on "Mail" in the menu bar and select "Preferences".
  3. Add a new account: In the "Accounts" tab, click the "+" button at the bottom left.
    icon to add account
    icon to add account
  4. Choose your email provider: Select your provider from the list. If it’s not listed, choose "Other Mail Account".
    choose email provider
    choose email provider
  5. Enter your email information: Provide your email address and password. You may need additional settings from your email provider.
  6. Configure Mail settings: Click "Sign In" and the Mail app will automatically configure your settings.

How to add a Gmail account in Apple Mail

  1. Open Apple Mail: You can find it in your Dock or by a Spotlight search (Cmd + Space).
  2. Access Mail preferences: Click on "Mail" in the menu bar and select "Preferences".
  3. Add a new account: In the "Accounts" tab, click the "+" button at the bottom left.
  4. Choose your email provider: Select "Google" from the list of email providers.
    selecting google email
    selecting google email
  5. Log on to Gmail: A Google sign-in window will open. Enter your Gmail email address, password, and click "Next".
    google login screen
    google login screen
  6. Grant permissions: Click "Allow" to grant access.
  7. Select apps to sync: Choose apps to sync with your Gmail account (e.g., Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Notes) and click "Done".
    choose apps to sync with mail
    choose apps to sync with mail

Third-party email apps

Since Google doesn’t provide an official email app for macOS, consider exploring third-party options for hosting Gmail on your Mac.

Apps like Mailbird for Mac, Spark Mail, Mail for Gmail, and MailTag for Gmail offer features such as email sorting, customizable notifications, and analytics to enhance your email management experience.

  • Mailbird for Mac: A comprehensive email app that allows users to manage multiple email accounts on Mac, offering a clean and uncluttered user interface and customizable email experience.
  • Spark Mail: Known for its smart inbox and email prioritization features, Spark Mail offers a user-friendly interface for efficient email management.
  • Mail for Gmail: This app provides a seamless integration experience tailored for Gmail users, ensuring smooth synchronization of emails, contacts, and calendar events.
  • MailTag for Gmail: MailTag stands out with advanced tracking and analytics functionality, allowing users to monitor email opens, link clicks, and engagement metrics.

Tips for choosing a third-party email app

When choosing a third-party email app, much of it comes down to personal preference. But there are a handful of factors to take into account to ensure an efficient and pleasant email experience:

  • evaluate features that align with your specific needs.
  • ensure compatibility with your email service and macOS version.
  • look for user reviews to gauge performance and reliability.
  • check for privacy and security measures to protect your sensitive information.

Security and privacy measures

You can enhance the security and privacy of your email accounts on Mac by implementing these recommended measures:

  • Data encryption: Enable data encryption to secure your email communication by encoding messages and attachments.
  • Two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a unique code sent to your phone.
  • Regular updates: Keep your macOS and Mail app updated by installing patches that fix security vulnerabilities.

Final thoughts

Adding an email account to your Mac and changing your default email app is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance email management. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a personalized and productive email experience on your Mac.