Set Up for IMAP (Apple Mail) 

Note: This page covers first time user instructions for configuring their e-mail client to use IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol) for Apple Mail. The instructions provided only cover the latest version of that particular client we support. Instructions for previous versions may be similar, but not exact.

Before you begin, you will need to Set up IMAP Access on your e-mail server.

1. Select Mail > Preferences….
2. Click Accounts. A window similar to the following will appear:

   Apple Mail Preferences-Accounts

3. Click the plus + button in the lower left portion of the window. A window similar to the following will appear:

   Apple Mail Preferences-Account Information Tab (IMAP)

   1. Select IMAP from the Account Type: drop-down menu.
   2. Type a descriptive name into the Description: field.
   3. Type your e-mail address into the Email Address: field. Use your alias@northwestern.edu, e.g. b-mcgee@northwestern.edu.
   4. Type your full name, nickname, or whatever you prefer into the Full Name: field.
   5. Type the name of your mail server into the Incoming Mail Server: field. Your mail server is one of the following:
      • merle.it.northwestern.edu
      • lulu.it.northwestern.edu
      • casbah.it.northwestern.edu
      • hecky.it.northwestern.edu Note: Some departments have their own mail servers. If your mail server is not listed above, see your UNITS representative for the name of your mail server.
   6. Type your NetID into the User Name: field.
   7. Select your mail server from the Outgoing mail Server: drop down menu. Note: If if you are connecting to NUNet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) other than Northwestern, you need to obtain the name of your ISP's SMTP server and select it from the Outgoing mail Server: drop down menu if you meet all of the following conditions:
      • You have an e-mail account on casbah, lulu, hecky or merle.
      • You use a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as America Online or InterAccess, or a cable modem/DSL to access the Internet.
      • You send mail to persons outside of NUNet (northwestern.edu).
4. Click Special Mailboxes. A window similar to the following will appear:

   Apple Mail Preferences-Special Mailboxes Tab (IMAP)

   1. Check the Store draft messages on the server checkbox.
   2. Check the Store sent messages on the server checkbox.
   3. Select Never from the Delete Sent messages when: drop down menu.
   4. Un-check the Store junk messages on the server checkbox if it is checked.
   5. Check the Move deleted messages to the Trash mailbox checkbox.
   6. Check the Store deleted messages on the server checkbox.
   7. Select Quitting Mail from the Permanently erase deleted messages when: drop down menu.
5. Click Advanced. A window similar to the following will appear:

   Apple Mail Preferences-Advanced Tab (IMAP)

   1. Check the Enable this account checkbox if it is unchecked.
   2. Check the Include when automatically checking for new mail checkbox if it is unchecked.
   3. Select All messages and their attachments from the Keep copies of messages for offline viewing: drop down menu.
   4. Check the Use SSL checkbox.
   5. Select Password from the Authentication: drop down menu.
6. Close the window to save your changes.