Skip to content

iCloud

Checklist

  • Turn on two-factor authentication
  • Create an app-specific password
  • Add the account in Pelton

Two-factor authentication is required

Apple only lets you create app-specific passwords once two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple ID. If you haven't enabled it yet, turn it on in your Apple ID settings first, you'll be asked to confirm sign-in on a trusted device or phone number in addition to your password from then on.

You must use an app-specific password, not your Apple ID password

Apple rejects your normal Apple ID password for IMAP/SMTP mail apps. Pelton's Password field needs an app-specific password instead, generated separately for Pelton.

  • Turn on two-factor authentication

Adding the account

  1. Open Add mailbox, choose Add a mailbox, then pick iCloud from the provider list. Fill in your Email and From name. Pelton already knows iCloud's IMAP/SMTP hosts, so you won't need to touch those.

    The iCloud form: email, name, and a Password field asking for an app-specific password

  2. Click Create an app-specific password. This opens account.apple.com; sign in with your Apple ID if you aren't already.

  3. Signing in lands you on Sign-In & Security. Scroll down and open App-Specific Passwords.

    account.apple.com's Sign-In & Security page, with App-Specific Passwords highlighted

  4. Click the + next to Passwords.

    The App-Specific Passwords panel with the + button to add a new one

  5. Type a name for it (for example "Pelton") and click Create.

    The Generate App-Specific Password dialog with "Pelton" typed in

  6. Apple shows you the generated password. Copy it, this is what goes in Pelton's Password field, then click Done.

    Apple's generated app-specific password dialog

  7. Back in Pelton, paste the app-specific password into the Password field, click Test connection, then Add mailbox.

  8. Create an app-specific password

  9. Add the account in Pelton

Need help?

See Support.