Are you looking for Office 365 SMTP settings? Popularly known as Office 365, Microsoft 365 offers a plethora of features, including email hosting services. Tech giant Microsoft groups a few of its software and services under the brand name Office 365. This cloud-powered productivity platform offers its subscribers various productivity software and related services, with Microsoft Azure serving as the underlying cloud infrastructure that supports secure email connections and advanced configurations like OAuth authentication. Office 365 SMTP can also be used for sending bulk mail, such as marketing or promotional campaigns, where deliverability management is crucial to avoid spam filters.

Office 365 offers business users:

• Microsoft Office Package – MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive.
• The freedom to use these tools on iMacs, PCs, mobiles, and tablets.
• OneDrive could store up to 1 TB.
• On-time feature updates and free upgrades.
• Social Networking Services – Yammer integration, Exchange Server, SharePoint, Skype for Business, and Office Online.

Office 365 SMTP can be integrated with custom applications, allowing businesses to tailor their email management and sending processes.

The Office 365 SMTP settings enables you to send emails from the email client you are using, without directly using your Microsoft 365 webmail.

In addition to the Office 365 SMTP setup, we’ve shared the POP3 and IMAP settings in this blog post. We’ve also included how to find the SMTP server in Outlook 365 and a step-by-step guide to SMTP Server Settings for Office 365 configuration.

Let’s get started.

SMTP Server for Office 365 Settings

The SMTP server settings for Office 365 are as follows:

Server name: smtp.office365.com

User address:  User’s Office 365 address (for example, mark@domain.com)

Port: 587 (with TLS)

Encryption method: SSL/TLS
Note: Transport Layer Security (TLS) is required for secure email transmission. It is recommended to use TLS 1.2 or higher.

SMTP authentication: ticked

Authentication: Needed: your password

Sending limit: 10,000 emails/day | Cold email sequence blueprint for 15+ daily replies

SMTP AUTH client submission is the recommended method for enabling authenticated email sending from Office 365, especially for developers and custom applications.

Read more: Gmail SMTP Settings: Meaning, Troubleshoot Problems & More

How do Email Protocols Help You?

SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is the worldwide standard email protocol for sending emails. And if you don’t build your SMTP server, you can still send emails with the SMTP relay service.

On the other hand, IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is an email retrieval (incoming) protocol. You can access your email across all devices with an IMAP configuration. And POP3 (Post Office Protocol) is also used for receiving emails, but on a single device.

When setting up connectors in Office 365, verifying the sender's identity is crucial. This can involve confirming the IP address or verifying certificate details, such as the Subject or SAN fields, to ensure secure and trusted communication.

How to Find the SMTP Server in Outlook 365

It must be confusing to find the SMTP server in Outlook 365, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Here's how you can do it:

1. Log in to your email client webpage and click on the settings.
2. Navigate the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings.
3. The listed server address is your SMTP server address.

Office 365 SMTP Settings: Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Configuring your Office 365 SMTP settings is essential for sending emails securely and reliably from your preferred email client or custom application. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your Office 365 SMTP server and ensure smooth email delivery:

1. Enable SMTP AUTH: Start by making sure SMTP AUTH is enabled for your Office 365 mailbox. You can do this in the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) or by using PowerShell commands. This step is crucial for allowing your email client or app to authenticate and send messages through the Office 365 SMTP server.
2. Gather SMTP Settings: Take note of the following Office 365 SMTP settings:

• SMTP server address: smtp.office365.com
• SMTP port: 587 (recommended) or 25
• Encryption method: STARTTLS or TLS
• Authentication: Required (use your Office 365 email address and password)

3. Configure Your Email Client or App: Open your email client or custom application and enter the SMTP server settings above. The process may vary depending on the client, but you’ll typically find these options under “Account Settings” or “Server Settings.” Make sure to use your full Office 365 email address and password for authentication.
4. Test Your Configuration: After saving your settings, send a test email to verify that everything is working correctly. If you encounter any error messages, double-check your SMTP settings and authentication details in your email client.

By following these steps, you can successfully configure your Office 365 SMTP settings, ensuring your mailbox is ready to send emails from any compatible client or application.

Office 365 POP3 Settings

To retrieve emails from your Office 365 account using POP3, you’ll need to configure your email client with the correct server settings. POP3 is ideal if you want to download messages to a single device and manage them locally.

Here’s how to set up POP3 for Office 365:

• POP3 Server: outlook.office365.com
• Port: 995
• Encryption: SSL/TLS required
• Authentication: Use your full Office 365 email address and password

Make sure your email client is configured with these settings in the account setup or server settings section. Proper authentication is essential for secure access to your Office 365 mailbox. Once configured, your client will be able to retrieve emails from your Office 365 account efficiently.

Office 365 SMTP Settings: Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

• Step 1: Make a note of the public IP (static) address of the device you will use to send emails. Remember, dynamic IP addresses will not work. You can save or share it with your team for future reference, but we’d suggest not sharing it outside of your organization.
• Step 2: Sign in to your Microsoft Office 365 account.
• Step 3: Now, select your domain. For instance, smartlead.ai.
• Step 4: Click on Manage DNS and look for the MX record. Now, make a note of the POINTS TO ADDRESS value. Keep it for later.
• Step 5: Make sure the domain or device you will use to send is verified. Otherwise, your emails might get lost, and you may not be able to track them.
• Step 6: Now, in Office 365, click on the ‘Admin’ button, and click on ‘Exchange’.
• Step 7: Click on ‘Mail Flow’ and then ‘Connectors’.
• Step 8: Finally, check the connectors list set up for your business. You are done configuring Office 365 settings. Now, update the DNS record on your domain registrar’s website.
• Step 9: Now, edit the SPF record. As you have kept a note of the IP address, include it now. If you skip this step, your emails might land in the recipients’ junk folder or spam folder.
• Step 10: The final step involves locating the entry for Smart Host or Server and entering the MX record's Points to Address value.

You are done with the Office 365 SMTP configuration. Send a test email to check whether your recipient is receiving your email or not. If the email fails to send, check for any error message provided by your email client, as the error message can help diagnose issues with SMTP configuration or authentication.

Office 365 POP3 Settings

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is an email retrieval protocol commonly used to access email from a remote server. When configuring POP3 settings for Office 365, it’s important to note that it primarily focuses on downloading emails to a single device and may not provide the same synchronization features as IMAP. POP3 allows you to receive email from your Office 365 account, but it does not synchronize messages across multiple devices. However, you can still set it up with specific SMTP Office 365 settings for outgoing mail.

SMTP settings for Office 365 help you send emails through your email client. Here are the POP3 settings for seamless email receiving:

Server name: outlook.office365.com

Port: 995

Encryption method: SSL

Office 365 IMAP Settings

IMAP, or Internet Message Access Protocol, is a widely used email protocol that enables users to access their email messages from multiple devices while keeping them synchronized. When configuring IMAP settings for Office 365, it's essential to specify the correct SMTP address for Office 365 to ensure seamless email communication.

Now that you know that SMTP address for Office 365, let's look at the IMAP settings for Microsoft 365:

Server name: outlook.office365.com

Port: 993

Encryption method: SSL

Read more: All-in-one Guide to Zoho IMAP Settings

Direct Send and SMTP Relay in Office 365

Office 365 offers two primary methods for sending emails from devices and applications: Direct Send and SMTP Relay.

Direct Send allows devices or applications to send messages directly to Office 365 mailboxes without additional authentication settings. This method is best suited for advanced users and scenarios where the device or application can function as a full-featured email server. However, Direct Send can pose security risks and may increase the likelihood of your messages being marked as spam if not properly configured.

SMTP Relay is a more secure and recommended approach for most organizations. With SMTP Relay, you configure an inbound connector in the Exchange Admin Center, either based on a TLS certificate or a static IP address. This setup authenticates your devices or applications, reducing the risk of spam or spoofing and ensuring reliable mail delivery.

• For SMTP Relay:
• Set up a connector in the Exchange Admin Center using a TLS certificate or a static IP address.
• Configure your devices or applications with the correct SMTP relay settings provided by Microsoft.
• For Direct Send:
• Enter the SMTP settings provided by Microsoft into your device or application.
• Ensure your device or application can act as a full-featured email server.

MX Record and Email Delivery in Office 365

The MX (Mail Exchange) record is a critical component in ensuring that your domain’s email is delivered correctly to your Office 365 mailboxes. The MX record directs incoming mail to Microsoft’s servers, allowing Office 365 to handle your organization’s email delivery.

• Finding the MX Record: To locate your MX record, log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to your domain settings, and look under the Microsoft Exchange section. Here, you’ll find the MX record details assigned to your domain.
• Configuring the MX Record: Update your domain’s DNS settings with the MX record values provided by Microsoft. This step is essential for proper mail flow and ensures that all incoming messages are routed to your Office 365 mail server.

By correctly configuring your MX record, you guarantee that your organization’s email is delivered reliably and securely to your Office 365 mailboxes.

How to Configure Outlook for Microsoft 365?

• Step 1: After completing the Office installations, navigate to the Control Panel and select the Outlook account profile.  
• Step 2: Click on the Windows button and launch Outlook. 
• Step 3: Choose a name for your profile. 
• Step 4: Go to the advanced setup and click on Microsoft 365. 
• Step 5: Add your official email address (e.g., mark@domain.com) and click on ‘connect'. 
• Step 6: Choose a unique network ID (or NetID) password. 
• Step 7: Now, verify your identity through Duo multi-factor authentication. 
• Step 8: Upon wizard configuration, Outlook will automatically connect your mailbox.  

The process is the same for MAC configuration. 

Benefits of Microsoft Office 365

• Enhanced data and device protection with Microsoft Defender. 
• Organized workflow with cross-functional digital notebook, OneNote. 
• Data backup and security with built-in ransomware detection and OneDrive. 
• Seamless collaboration with the MS Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) 
• Ad-free email (Outlook) for a business organization. 

Best Practices for Email Configuration in Office 365

To maintain a secure and efficient email environment in Office 365, follow these best practices:

• Use Modern Authentication: Whenever possible, enable OAuth (modern authentication) instead of basic authentication for your email clients and applications. This enhances security and supports multi-factor authentication.
• Enable SMTP AUTH: Make sure SMTP AUTH is enabled only for mailboxes that need to send emails via Office 365 SMTP. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
• Configure SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) records in your DNS settings. These help prevent spam, spoofing, and ensure recipients trust your emails.
• Monitor Email Flow: Regularly check your mail flow in the Exchange Admin Center to identify and resolve any issues promptly. Monitoring helps you catch delivery problems or spam-related issues early.
• Keep Software Updated: Ensure all your email clients, devices, and applications are running the latest software versions and security patches. Updated software helps protect against vulnerabilities and ensures compatibility with Office 365 SMTP and authentication protocols.

By implementing these best practices, you can optimize your Office 365 email configuration, enhance mail flow, and safeguard your organization against spam and security threats.

The Bottom Line

Configuring Office 365 SMTP, POP3, and IMAP settings is crucial for managing emails efficiently and communicating effectively across multiple devices. By correctly setting up these protocols, you ensure that your emails are sent and received seamlessly, regardless of the email client you use.

This setup not only enhances your email functionality but also secures your communications and helps troubleshoot any potential email delivery issues.

Moreover, if you are searching for a way to boost your email marketing campaigns, Smartlead enhances your email outreach process. It provides advanced email automation, personalized email sequences, and detailed analytics to track the performance of your campaigns.

FAQs

1. What is the SMTP server for Outlook?

The SMTP server for Outlook is smtp.office365.com, and the SMTP port number is 587. 

2. How do I find my SMTP address in Office 365? 

Go to the Outlook homepage and on the ‘toolbar' section, click on settings. Then go to Mail and click on POP and IMAP. On that page, the SMTP server, POP3, and IMAP4 are listed on the settings page. 

3. How to find the SMTP server in Outlook 365?

Launch Microsoft Outlook 365 on your computer. Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the Outlook window. In the File menu, select "Account Settings," and then choose "Account Settings" again from the drop-down menu. In the Account Settings window, you'll see a list of your email accounts. Select the email account for which you want to find the SMTP server settings and click on "Change." In the Change Account window, you'll find the SMTP server settings under the "Server Information" section. The SMTP server address is typically labeled as "Outgoing mail server (SMTP)." Write down or make a note of the SMTP server address for your Office 365 email account.