Outlook Android app cannot login IMAP email server.

Anonymous
2020-03-05T22:54:18+00:00

This suddenly started yesterday 3/4/2020.

I have 3 email accounts on my android Outlook app. Outlook.com, Google, my ISP's. The problem only happens with my ISP (comcast.net, IMAP).

Till yesterday night, I can send/retrieve emails from the same server without an issue with Outlook app.

First I noticed Outlook requested to re-enter email password. But it failed. So I deleted account, then added. Failed. I even removed Outlook app and re-installed it. Failed. Google and Outlook account are just fine.

I didn't change anything from my side. I can access Comcast email from Web/Windows 10 mail and even from the same phone using Samsung standard email app.

What was changed and how to solve it? I can use Samsung standard email app but I like Outlook.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T07:40:03+00:00

    I can confirm that. IMAP is completely broken by the latest update 4.2039.2 from October 9. Reinstall won't help. There are similar reports in Google Play reviews and Reddit post.

    Steps to reproduce:

    1. add IMAP account including ports 993 and 587
    2. go to launcher main screen
    3. send an email message from another device
    4. notification is shown and email received in Inbox - ok
    5. close the Outlook from task list (or restart the phone)
    6. start it again
    7. you'll notice a short message "messages and calendars are updating ..."

    After that the IMAP account no longer works. No new email notifications and the Inbox is usually stuck with "getting new messages". Account reset won't help either.

    Microsoft, do not try to blame the email provider nor the settings. It is your bug, fix it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T07:53:50+00:00

    I can confirm this.  If you see "messages and calendars are updating" you are screwed.  For me the "quickest" way to "recover" from this is to do the following:

    • Delete the IMAP account.
    • Force close Outlook.
    • Open Outlook.
    • Add the IMAP account again, being careful to not use a port for the IMAP server, but do use a port for the SMTP server.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T08:02:02+00:00
    • Add the IMAP account again, being careful to not use a port for the IMAP server, but do use a port for the SMTP server.

    This is an interesting find. How can I make sure it will use the secured port 993, but not the plain open 143?

    BTW I can never delete the broken IMAP account, it doesn't work either. The only way is to completely reset the app data.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T08:16:44+00:00

    Interesting, I am able to delete the IMAP account on my Galaxy S9+.

    Regarding the IMAP port, I can't say for sure but I believe it always checks the secure port first and then falls back to 143.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T09:40:59+00:00

    It is a most unpredictable piece of code.  I have outlook installed on three different devices with two IMAP accounts on each with different providers. 

    On all three devices the inbox got stuck with the dreaded "getting new messages" , but on different days.

    Deleting the app, rebooting the device, reinstalling and reconfiguring the IMAP accounts worked on all three devices. Port numbers are specified in the advaced settings and I'm using special characters in the IMAP passwords

    On one device the inbox gave "getting new messages" again for hours in the evening last week, but the inbox was back in the morning.

    Since then the app has had no hick-ups on any of three devices.  I keep my fingers crossed.

    I cannot understand why a respectable company like Microsoft doesn't provide better support and an explanation of what is gong on with their outlook app.

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