Email is the official line of communication at Auburn University. For specific guidelines regarding user accounts that are eligible for email, please reference the Auburn University Eligible User Policy.
The Office of Information Technology supports Microsoft Outlook as the university's preferred email application.
For Auburn University employees, the Outlook application should already be downloaded on your university-issued MacOS device. For questions or immediate assistance regarding Outlook email on university-issued computers, contact your Distributed IT provider or the IT Service Desk at (334) 844-4944.
IMAP, POP3, and SMTP protocols for email are disabled on Auburn University email accounts. These protocols pose a security risk and expose your account to vulnerabilities. Auburn does not support the use of third party applications requiring these protocols. When setting up your email account, users are required to use Microsoft Exchange/ActiveSync protocols.
Steps for accessing email via the Outlook app or Outlook Web Access and for installing the Outlook app via Microsoft 365 can be found below. While Outlook is the preferred email application, instructions are also listed below for configuring a Microsoft Exchange account on Mac Mail. For additional instructions related to Outlook on MacOS devices, please visit the Microsoft Outlook Training site.
From a MacOS device (Mac or Macbook), users can access email from the Outlook application. Once downloaded, the Outlook app can be found by navigating to Finder > Applications or by searching "Outlook" in the top-right magnifying glass search option. Double click to launch the Outlook app.
*Note: If the Microsoft Outlook application is not installed on your computer, it can be downloaded at owa.auburn.edu. Full installation instructions can be found in this Knowledge Base article.
If you have not launched Outlook before, you will be prompted to enter your Auburn University email address (username@auburn.edu) and click "Continue".
Enter your Auburn password and click "Sign In."
Note: If adding your email account while on Auburn's campus network/Wi-Fi, you will not be prompted with DUO authentication. If adding your email account while off campus, you will receive a DUO prompt to authenticate.
Your Microsoft 365 email account should now be added to your MacOS device using the Outlook app. You may see a message to set up preferences. Proceed and click "Personalize Now".
Your Auburn email account should now be visible in the Outlook app on your MacOS device.
Email via Outlook Web Access
Email can also be accessed from a MacOS device by navigating to owa.auburn.edu.
Enter your Auburn University email (username@auburn.edu) and click "Next."
Enter your Auburn password and click "Sign In."
Note: If adding your email account while on Auburn's campus network/Wi-Fi, you will not be prompted with DUO authentication. If adding your email account while off campus, you will receive a DUO prompt to authenticate.
You should now see the main email view within Outlook Web Access.
Installing the Outlook App through Microsoft 365
If you need to install the Outlook app onto your MacOS device, you can do so by logging into your Microsoft 365 account from owa.auburn.edu.
Detailed instructions for accessing Microsoft 365 and installing Microsoft 365 apps, including Outlook, can be found in the Knowledge Base article: An Overview of and Installing Microsoft 365.
Microsoft Exchange Email Accounts using Mac Mail
To add the native mail client on a MacOS device, or Mac Mail, use Finder > Applications or the search bar to open the Mail App. You can also select the Apple icon >System Settings (or System Preferences) > Internet Accounts > Add Account to add Mac Mail.
Select "Microsoft Exchange" and click "Continue."
Enter your name and Auburn email address (username@auburn.edu) and click "Sign In."
You will be asked to manually configure or sign in to complete the creation of the account. Click "Sign In."
Enter the password associated with your Auburn email account and click "Sign In." You will be required to authenticate with DUO.
Select the apps you would like to use with this account and click "Done." Your email account should now load using Mac Mail.
If you need to remove your Microsoft Exchange account from Mac Mail, navigate to Finder > Applications or the search bar to open the Mail App. You can also select the Apple icon > System Settings (or System Preferences) > Internet Accounts to locate your Microsoft Exchange account.
Select the Exchange account and click the "-" (minus sign) in the bottom left of the window (with more recent macOS systems, you can simply click Delete Account). This will remove the Exchange account from Mac Mail. The Microsoft Exchange account can be readded at any time using the steps listed above.
Related Links:
- Email Overview
- Email System Requirements
- Email on Mobile Devices and Tablets
- Email on Desktops and Laptops
- DUO for Students and Employees
- Microsoft MFA for Alumni and Retirees
- Email after Graduation or Retirement
- Cybersecurity and Email
- Email Sending Limits
- Email Alias
- Email Signature Generator
- Eligible User Policy