Setting up EarthLink email on a new device requires specific server settings to ensure your mail syncs correctly. Whether you are using Outlook, an iPhone, or Android, the process relies on the correct IMAP and SMTP ports. Below is the complete 2026 guide for configuring EarthLink, MindSpring, and related domains.
EarthLink IMAP (recommended) + SMTP
| Setting | Server | Port | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming (IMAP) | imap.earthlink.net | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing (SMTP) | smtpauth.earthlink.net | 587 | STARTTLS |
| Username | Your full email address | - | - |
- Authentication required: Yes (use your full email address).
- Password: Your EarthLink email password.
If you enabled Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA/2FA)
- If Outlook/Thunderbird keeps rejecting your password, sign in to EarthLink WebMail and go to Preferences → Account Security to manage MFA/password.
- If your Account Security page offers an app password option, generate one and use that in your email app.
EarthLink POP3 + SMTP
| Setting | Server | Port | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming (POP3) | pop.<your-domain> | 995 | SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing (SMTP) | smtpauth.earthlink.net | 587 | STARTTLS |
| Username | Your full email address | - | - |
- Authentication required: Yes (use your full email address).
- Password: Your EarthLink email password.
POP examples:
- @earthlink.net → pop.earthlink.net
- @mindspring.com → pop.mindspring.com
- @ix.netcom.com → pop.ix.netcom.com
- @peoplepc.com → pop.peoplepc.com
Source:EarthLink Help Center: Email Server Settings
EarthLink Help Center: Email & Server Settings by Domain Name
Tip: If you use POP, enable “Leave a copy of messages on server” in your email client.
POP note: POP server must match your domain (earthlink/mindspring/etc). If unsure, use IMAP.
Note: IMAP settings are the same for all EarthLink domains; POP depends on the domain.
Key takeaways
- IMAP keeps mail on the server and syncs across devices.
- POP downloads mail to one device; enable server copies if needed.
- Secure ports (993 IMAP / 995 POP / 587 SMTP) are recommended.
Option 1: Modern Outlook (the New interface)
- Enter your email address.
- Click Advanced options and check “Let me set up my account manually”.
- Select IMAP.
- Incoming: imap.earthlink.net (Port 993, SSL/TLS).
- Outgoing: smtpauth.earthlink.net (Port 587, STARTTLS).
- Sign in with your full email address and password.
Option 2: Classic Outlook (Control Panel / old interface)
- Select Manual setup or additional server types.
- Choose POP or IMAP.
- Enter your name and EarthLink email address.
- Set Account Type to IMAP.
- Incoming mail server: imap.earthlink.net.
- Outgoing mail server: smtpauth.earthlink.net.
- Enter your full email address and password.
- Click More Settings > Outgoing Server.
- Check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
- Go to Advanced and set IMAP 993 (SSL/TLS), SMTP 587 (STARTTLS).
- Save, test, and finish.
Set up EarthLink in Thunderbird
- Open Mozilla Thunderbird and go to Account Settings.
- Click Account Actions > Add Mail Account.
- Enter name, EarthLink email address, and password.
- Click Configure manually and choose IMAP.
- Incoming: imap.earthlink.net (993, SSL/TLS).
- Outgoing: smtpauth.earthlink.net (587, STARTTLS).
- Authentication Method: Normal password.
- Save the settings.
Set up EarthLink on iPhone or iPad (iOS Mail)
- Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
- Select Other > Add Mail Account.
- Enter your name, EarthLink email address, and password.
- Select IMAP when prompted.
- Incoming: imap.earthlink.net (993, SSL/TLS).
- Outgoing: smtpauth.earthlink.net (587, STARTTLS).
- Save the account.
Set up EarthLink on Android (Gmail app)
- Open Gmail and go to Settings > Add account.
- Select Other (not Google/Gmail) and enter your EarthLink email address.
- Choose IMAP.
- Incoming: imap.earthlink.net (993, SSL/TLS).
- Outgoing: smtpauth.earthlink.net (587, STARTTLS).
- Sign in and finish setup.
Troubleshooting EarthLink setup issues
- Outlook keeps asking for password: Use your full email address and enable SMTP authentication.
- Thunderbird can receive but cannot send: Set Authentication Method to Normal password and enable SMTP auth.
- iPhone error “Cannot Get Mail”: Re-check server names, ports, and re-enter the password.
- Outlook error 0x800CCC0E (cannot connect / encryption mismatch): Confirm server and ports (IMAP 993 SSL/TLS, SMTP 587 STARTTLS). If Outlook says the server does not support the encryption type you selected, change the encryption method to match.
- Incorrect POP host: The POP server must match your domain (earthlink, mindspring, etc.).
- Send fails but receive works: SMTP authentication must use the same email and password as incoming mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use IMAP or POP for EarthLink?
IMAP is recommended for syncing across devices. POP is best for local-only storage.
What are the EarthLink IMAP settings?
IMAP: imap.earthlink.net, port 993, SSL/TLS. SMTP: smtpauth.earthlink.net, port 587, STARTTLS.
Are these EarthLink webmail settings the same as email client settings?
Yes. These are the same IMAP/SMTP settings used by Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone, and Android.
Why is my EarthLink POP server different?
POP servers are domain-specific. Use pop.<your-domain> (for example, pop.earthlink.net).
How do I set up EarthLink on iPhone or Android?
Add a new IMAP account and use the same IMAP/SMTP settings listed above.
Outlook keeps asking for my EarthLink password. What should I check?
Use your full email address as the username and make sure SMTP authentication is enabled.
How do I enable MFA or change my EarthLink email password?
In EarthLink WebMail, go to Preferences > Account Security for MFA and password changes.
The Final Word
With the correct servers, ports, and security options, EarthLink works reliably in Outlook, Thunderbird, and most mobile apps. Start with IMAP for syncing across devices, and switch to POP only if you want local-only storage.
