# How to create and manage outgoing mail servers

> Learn how to add, edit and delete outgoing SMTP mail servers in Apple Mail on macOS.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-apple/how-to-create-and-manage-outgoing-mail-servers
Updated: 2026-06-09

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An outgoing mail server (SMTP server) is what Apple Mail uses to send messages. Without at least one configured, you will not be able to send email.

## Accessing outgoing mail server settings

1. Open **Mail**, then click **Mail** in the menu bar and select **Preferences** (macOS Ventura and later: **Settings**).
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/fa/5f/fa5f4f3cbe3adf70a4227870a324f17eb0e4249d.png)

2. Make sure the **Accounts** tab is selected.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/98/2d/982d6a7f53ecf2efb3513c304f1aefd653b13cf7.png)

3. You can assign a different outgoing mail server to each account. Click the **Outgoing Mail Server** dropdown and choose **Edit SMTP Server List** to manage your servers.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/3c/86/3c86b2f082a16ba1072fb52c19ac1053cdb54bdb.png)

4. The top pane lists all configured outgoing servers; the bottom pane shows details for the selected server. Click **Advanced** to set a custom port, enable SSL, or choose an authentication method.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/22/00/220091f401fa6b6f009068c2eaa675f5d9144205.png)

## Deleting an outgoing mail server

5. Select the server you want to remove, then click the **minus (-)** icon.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/f1/dc/f1dc8de7a0fa8f394bdf1e63f94f22c4a81a1bc2.png)

:::warning
Deleting a server from the list is permanent and cannot be undone.
:::

## Adding an outgoing mail server

6. Click the **plus (+)** icon. Enter a short **description** for the server, then type the **server name** (for example, `mail.yourdomain.com`).
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/54/f4/54f48ed5077152883a4746bf037b2822e72cf4c8.png)

7. Click **Advanced**.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/5a/ed/5aed737686927684c7e7d2b08d56d2cb6e1749dd.png)

8. Select an **authentication** method from the dropdown. For most Kualo mail accounts, choose **Password**.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/d0/26/d0264a6e50c1fbf38b5c9214238a02d012e4607e.png)

9. Enter your **username** (your full email address) and **password**.
   ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/d5/de/d5dea5cdc5f1230c263df0086e0a1d1f580c99a6.png)

10. Click **OK** to save.
    ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/ae/0d/ae0d43f3d386304c6e2ed2ab2eb61768f0b15cff.png)

## Assigning the server to a mail account

11. Back on the Accounts screen, select your mail account, then choose the new server from the **Outgoing Mail Server** dropdown.
    ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/13/6b/136b86c820ae790555d946c985648dcabc53afd0.png)

12. Click **Save** to apply the changes.
    ![](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/c5/34/c534050772dff9635bb0fd301389e5e7d23d5e54.png)


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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-apple/how-to-create-and-manage-outgoing-mail-servers · © Kualo Ltd._