We're upgrading security for all BT email accounts. This will provide better protection for your information by encrypting your email traffic.
Making sure your emails stay private and protected.
What's happening, and why it matters to you
From February 2026, BT Email will no longer support older, insecure methods of connecting to our email servers.
Your current email program uses one of these older methods, so you'll need to update your settings to avoid losing access to your email.
What do you need to do
You must update your email program's settings to use a secure, encrypted connection. If you don’t make this change, you won't be able to access your emails with your current email program.
If you're using the BT Email app or webmail
If you use BT Webmail or the BT Email app, you don't need to change any settings in here. This change only applies to other apps and email clients.
Secure security settings
To use the most secure settings, you need to make sure you're using SSL/TLS communication and the port numbers listed below (depending on what connection you use).
Incoming mail security settings
- For IMAP connections, make sure the port is 993.
- For POP3 connections, make sure the port 995.
Outgoing mail security settings
For SMTP connections, make sure SSL/TLS is enabled, and the port is 465 or 587.
How to find your settings (includes video)
Before checking your settings you should make sure your operating system and email application/program are on the latest version.
If you use one of the methods below, then follow the steps to check your settings. You may need to check with your client or third party application provider for steps on how to update them.
If you’re using a Windows computer, it’s recommended that you update Windows and your email application to the latest versions for compatibility and security.
Follow the steps to remove and add your email account to your Microsoft Outlook email application to make sure your security settings are up to date.
- Start the Microsoft Outlook application and select the gear-shaped ‘Settings’ icon.
- Select the ‘Manage’ option to the right of your email address.
- Before removing your email account from your device, log into your email at bt.com/mail and check everything is there before proceeding.
- Scroll down and select ‘Remove’.
- Make sure ‘Remove from this device’ is selected and click OK.
- Enter your email address and password.
- Make sure you toggle ‘Use Recommended settings’ on.
- Scroll down until you see your security settings under either IMAP or POP configuration and enter the details as listed below.
If you use IMAP email protocol, make sure your settings match the settings below:
IMAP configuration
Hostname
mail.btinternet.com
Port
993
Secure connection type
SSL/TLS (recommended)
SMTP configuration
Hostname
mail.btinternet.com
Port
465 (or 587)
Secure connection type
SSL/TLS (recommended)
If your email uses the POP email protocol, make sure your settings match the settings below:
POP configuration
Hostname
mail.btinternet.com
Port
995
Secure connection type
SSL/TLS (recommended)
SMTP configuration
Hostname
mail.btinternet.com
Port
465 (or 587)
Secure connection type
SSL/TLS (recommended)
Follow the steps to see the current status of your Apple Mail application's security settings.
- Start the Apple Mail application and select the ‘Mail’ menu option.
- Select ‘Settings’.
- You should now see your security settings. It’s important that both ‘SSL/TLS’ boxes have ticks next to them.
Make sure the Server Settings match the settings below, depending on whether you use IMAP or POP:
Incoming Mail Server (IMAP)
Port: 993
Incoming Mail Server (POP)
Port: 995
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)
Port: 465 (or 587)
- Select the Thunderbird application.
- Select the gear-shaped Settings.
- Select Account Settings.
- Select Server Settings.
You should now see your incoming email security settings.
If your email connection uses the IMAP email protocol, the Port number should be 993.
If your email connection uses the POP email protocol, the Port number should be 995.
Your Connection security should be SSL/TLS.
- Start the Thunderbird application and select the gear-shaped Settings.
- Select Account Settings.
- Select Outgoing Server (SMTP).
You should now see your outgoing email security settings.
Port should be 465 (or 587).
Connection security should be SSL/TLS.
Make sure your iPhone or iPad is on the latest version of iOS or iPadOS and that your Apple Mail app is updated to it's latest version.
- Select Settings
- Select Apps
- Select Mail
- Select Mail Accounts
- Select your account
- Select Account Settings
- Select Advanced
You should now see your incoming email security settings. Make sure Use SSL is toggled on.
If your email connection uses the IMAP email protocol then the Server Port number should be 993.
If your email connection uses the POP email protocol then the Server Port number should be 995.
Once you've confirmed the settings are correct, go back to the Account Settings page and select SMTP (it should show as On).
You should now see your outgoing email security settings.Make sure Use SSL is toggled on and the Server Port number is 465 or 587.
- Start the Thunderbird app.
- Select the Menu option.
- Select the gear-shaped Settings icon.
- Select your mail account from the Accounts.
- Select the Fetching mail option.
- Select the Incoming server.
You should now see your incoming email security settings. Make sure that Security has SSL/TLS.
If your email connection uses the IMAP email protocol then the Port number should be 993.
If your email connection uses the POP email protocol then the Port number should be 995.
Once you've confirmed the settings are correct, go back to the Account Settings page and select Sending mail.
You should now see your Outgoing server settings. It’s important that SSL/TLS is selected under Security and the Port number should be 465 or 587.
Frequently asked questions
You can manually configure your email application or device to use the following configuration settings:
- For IMAP connections ensure that SSL/TLS communication is enabled and using port 993.
- For POP3 connections ensure that SSL/TLS communication is enabled and using port 995.
- For SMTP connections ensure that SSL/TLS communication is enabled and using port 465 or 587.
If you require help on finding where to change these settings, we'd recommend checking with your app or program provider.
Try updating the application or device to see if you can now configure secure communications. Not all applications or devices have been updated to support secure communications, consider moving to newer secure options, or access BT Email via a web browser or the BT Email mobile app on your phone or tablet instead.
Or you can try asking our helpful BT Community, who'll be happy to help.