If Mail on your Mac keeps asking for your password
Mail might say that it can't connect to your email account, and repeatedly ask you to enter the password for it.
If your Mac is connected to the internet but suddenly starts asking for your email password, you should generally try again later, and if necessary work with your email provider to resolve. If you're using Apple's iCloud Mail, learn how to resolve issues with iCloud Mail.
Why is Mail asking for your password?
Mail asks for your password when it can connect successfully to your email provider, but can't connect to your email account because your email provider isn't accepting your email password.
Your email provider may reject your password for several reasons, including:
You're not using your current email password. If you updated the password on another device, make sure that you're using the same password on your Mac.
Your email provider needs you to update or reset your password for security reasons. For example, if you're using Google’s two-step verification, your Gmail account in Mail requires the appropriate app-specific password.
Your email provider deactivated or suspended your account. Contact your email provider for help.
Your email provider changed its authentication method. In that case, you may need to remove your account, then add it back.
Check your password in Internet Accounts settings
Depending on the type of email account you're using, you might be able to correct the password as follows:
Quit Mail. If it doesn't quit, you can force it to quit.
Choose Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click Internet Accounts.
Click your mail account.
Click the Details button, if present.
If you see a password field for your account, delete the password and type the correct password.
Close the settings window, then open Mail and try using your account again.
If Mail still asks for your password, the password is probably incorrect. Your email provider can help you verify your email settings and make sure that you're using the correct password.
Test using webmail
Many email providers offer webmail, which is a way to use email with a web browser such as Safari, instead of with an email app such as Mail. For example, if you're using an iCloud Mail account, you can use iCloud.com to send and receive email.
Because the password that you use with Mail is usually the same password that you use with webmail, try signing in to webmail with that password. If it doesn't work there either, your password is probably incorrect. Your email provider can help you verify your email settings and make sure that you're using the correct password for the Mail app.
Remove your account, then add it back
If no other solutions work, try setting up your email account again. To do that, follow these steps:
Remove your email account in Mail.
Add your email account in Mail again. When adding the account, make sure that you choose the correct email service provider for your email address.
Learn more
If you're using Apple's iCloud Mail, learn how to resolve issues with iCloud Mail. The password that you use with iCloud Mail is your Apple Account password. Learn what to do if you forgot your Apple Account password or want to change your Apple Account password.
If you forgot or want to change the email password for a different email service, contact the email provider or request a password reset from their website.
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