Exchange Connection Problems

Fix Mac Mail Not Receiving Microsoft 365 Exchange Email

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 15, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to receive incoming Microsoft 365 Exchange emails in the Mac Mail application, while sending emails and web or mobile access often continue to work without issue.

How to Fix Mac Mail Not Receiving Microsoft 365 Exchange Email

Product: Mac Mail / Microsoft 365 Exchange
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Accessing a Microsoft 365 Exchange email account (especially reseller-managed ones like GoDaddy) through the default Apple Mail client on a Mac.
Observed behavior: The Apple Mail app stops syncing incoming Exchange messages due to outdated basic authentication methods or incorrect DNS mail flow configurations.

Before you start

Ensure you know your exact Microsoft 365 account credentials, update your macOS to the latest version to support modern OAuth authentication, and ensure you have administrative access to your domain's DNS settings if adjusting mail flow.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove and Re-add Account Using Microsoft Sign-in Flow

Microsoft has deprecated basic authentication. Removing and re-adding the account forces Mac Mail to use the new modern authentication (OAuth 2.0) web flow.

Because Microsoft no longer supports basic authentication for Exchange Online, older account configurations in Mac Mail will fail to sync incoming messages. Re-adding the account triggers the modern Microsoft sign-in window, restoring connection.

Open Apple Mail Settings

Launch the Apple Mail app on your Mac. Click on "Mail" in the top menu bar, and select "Settings" (or "Preferences" on older macOS versions).

Remove the Existing Exchange Account

Navigate to the "Accounts" tab. Select your Microsoft 365 Exchange account from the left sidebar and click the minus (-) button at the bottom to remove it.

Add a New Exchange Account

Click the plus (+) button to add a new account. From the list of email providers, select "Microsoft Exchange" and click Continue.

Trigger the Modern Authentication Flow

Enter your name and email address, then click "Sign In". When prompted to choose between "Configure Manually" or "Sign In", you must click "Sign In" again to open the Microsoft web-based authentication flow.

Complete Login and Grant Permissions

Enter your password in the Microsoft pop-up window, complete any Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requests, and accept the permissions allowing Apple Mail to access your account.

Remove and Re-add Account Using Microsoft Sign-in Flow

Data Safety: Removing the Exchange account from Mac Mail does not delete your emails from the server. Once re-added, all your emails, contacts, and calendar events will securely download back to your Mac.

Solution 2

Check GoDaddy or Reseller Authentication Restrictions

Accounts purchased through resellers like GoDaddy may have specific login portals or restrictions that can interrupt desktop client synchronization.

Solution 3

Verify Mail Flow and DNS SPF Records

Incorrect SPF records can cause severe mail flow issues, resulting in bounced emails or complete delivery failure that appears as if the client stopped working.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Mac Mail say it cannot verify account name or password for Microsoft 365?

This typically occurs because Microsoft disabled basic authentication. Mac Mail now requires OAuth 2.0 (modern authentication) to connect. Removing the account and re-adding it via the 'Sign In' option prompts the necessary web-based login flow to resolve this.

How do I know if my Microsoft 365 account is managed by GoDaddy?

If you purchased your domain and email hosting through GoDaddy, your Microsoft 365 login will typically redirect to a GoDaddy-branded sign-in page when accessing webmail. You can also check your past billing statements to see where the subscription is paid.

What is an SPF record and why does Microsoft 365 need it?

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a DNS TXT record that identifies which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. Microsoft 365 requires this record to prevent your emails from being marked as spam and to ensure seamless mail flow.

Can I still access my emails while my Mac Mail is not working?

Yes, even if your Mac Mail application fails to sync via Exchange, you can usually still send and receive emails by logging into your account via Outlook on the web or by using the Outlook mobile app on your smartphone.

Outlook & Email Problems