To set up a Hotmail account on an iPhone 15, go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Add Account, choose Outlook.com, and sign in with your full Hotmail address and password. Choose whether to sync Mail, Contacts and Calendars, then tap Save. Your Hotmail inbox appears in the Mail app. Hotmail is part of Outlook.com, so you always pick the Outlook.com option.
Applies to: iPhone 15 and other iPhones with iOS 18 or iOS 26. On iOS 17, the path is Settings > Mail > Accounts. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.
Method 1: Add Hotmail to the Mail app
- Open Settings and tap Apps, then Mail.
- Tap Mail Accounts > Add Account.
- Tap Outlook.com.
- Enter your Hotmail address (for example [email protected]) and tap Next.
- Enter your password and tap Sign in. If you use two-step verification, approve the request in the Authenticator app or enter the code.
- Tap Yes or Accept to let the iPhone access your account.
- Choose what to sync: Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders. Tap Save.
Open the Mail app. Your Hotmail inbox is listed under Mailboxes. If you have several accounts, choose which one sends new emails by default; see how to change the default email account on iPhone.
Method 2: Use the Outlook app
- Open the App Store, search for Microsoft Outlook and tap Get.
- Open Outlook, tap Add Account, and enter your Hotmail address.
- Sign in and allow notifications if you want alerts.
The Outlook app supports Focused Inbox, Microsoft’s calendar and contacts, and features like scheduling emails. To remove it later, see how to sign out of the Outlook app on iPhone.
Which should you use?
- Mail app: all your email accounts in one place, with Apple’s design and iCloud features.
- Outlook app: the closest match to Outlook on a PC, with Microsoft-specific features and better handling of Outlook calendar invitations.
Change how often mail arrives
Outlook.com accounts usually push new mail instantly. If they don’t, go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Fetch New Data and set Outlook to Push.
Add a signature
By default, emails end with “Sent from my iPhone”. Change it in Settings > Apps > Mail > Signature. Choose Per Account to give your Hotmail address its own signature. In the Outlook app, go to its Settings > Signature.
Remove Hotmail from the iPhone
- Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts.
- Tap your Outlook account and tap Delete Account.
This only removes it from the phone. Your emails stay in your Hotmail account online, and you can add it back at any time.
Troubleshooting
“Cannot verify account” or wrong password
Sign in at outlook.live.com in Safari to confirm your password. If you recently changed it, delete the account from the iPhone and add it again.
“Cannot get mail”
Check you have internet, then go to the account in Mail Accounts and toggle Mail off and on. Restarting the iPhone often clears it.
Old emails are missing
Mail downloads recent messages first. Scroll to the bottom of the inbox to load more, or search; older mail is still on the server.
Too much spam
Move unwanted messages to Junk in Mail or Outlook. Outlook.com learns from this and filters similar emails on all your devices. You can also block senders in Outlook.com settings at outlook.live.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still create a new Hotmail address?
New Microsoft accounts usually get @outlook.com addresses. Existing @hotmail.com addresses keep working and are set up the same way.
Do I need the Outlook app to use Hotmail?
No. The built-in Mail app works fine with Hotmail.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.