How to Use Airmail with a VPN or Corporate Network

<h2>Problem</h2><p>Airmail is not connecting or syncing emails while on a corporate network or VPN.</p><h2>Common Issues</h2><ul><li><strong>Blocked Ports</strong> — Corporate firewalls may block IMAP (993), SMTP (465/587), or POP3 (995) ports</li><li><strong>VPN Routing</strong> — Some VPNs don't route email traffic correctly</li><li><strong>Certificate Errors</strong> — Corporate proxy servers may intercept SSL connections, causing certificate warnings</li></ul><h2>Solutions</h2><h3>Check Port Access</h3><ol><li>Verify with your IT department that IMAP/SMTP ports are open</li><li>Standard ports: IMAP: 993 (SSL), SMTP: 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS), POP3: 995 (SSL)</li></ol><h3>VPN Configuration</h3><ol><li>Try split-tunnel VPN if available — this routes email traffic outside the VPN</li><li>If using full-tunnel VPN, ensure your email server's IP is whitelisted</li><li>Test by disconnecting VPN temporarily to confirm the issue is VPN-related</li></ol><h3>Certificate Issues</h3><ol><li>If your company uses a proxy that intercepts SSL, you may need to install the corporate root certificate</li><li>Go to Keychain Access and add the certificate to System Keychain</li><li>Mark it as "Always Trust"</li></ol><h3>Alternative: Use App-Specific Password</h3><p>Some corporate setups require app-specific passwords instead of your regular password. Check with your IT department for OAuth or app-specific password requirements.</p>

Updated on: 03/28/2026