# Microsoft Exchange

Connect your Microsoft Exchange account to Missive using IMAP. This option is for on-premises Exchange servers or hosted Exchange environments that don't support OAuth-based Office 365 authentication.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you use Office 365 or Outlook.com, use the [Office 365 / Outlook](/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/email-accounts/outlook-office-365.md) connection instead - it's simpler and supports more features.
{% endhint %}

## Prerequisites

Before connecting, ensure your Exchange server has:

* IMAP enabled (port 993 with TLS or port 143 with STARTTLS)
* SMTP enabled (port 587 with STARTTLS or port 465 with TLS)
* Your account has IMAP access permissions

Contact your IT administrator if you're unsure about these settings.

## How to connect

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open account settings**

Go to **Settings** > **Accounts** and click **Add account**.

{% hint style="info" %}
To open Settings, click your avatar in the bottom-left corner of the sidebar, then **Settings** (or press <kbd>⌘,</kbd>).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select Microsoft Exchange**

Under the **Email** tab, select **Microsoft Exchange**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Choose import options**

Select how much email history to import:

* No history - start fresh
* 1 month to 10 years - recent emails only
* All history - everything (paid plans only)

Choose if this is a personal or shared account.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Enter credentials**

Fill in your account details:

* **Display name:** How your name appears when sending
* **Email address:** Your Exchange email
* **Password:** Your Exchange password
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure IMAP settings**

Enter your Exchange server's IMAP details:

* **Hostname:** Your Exchange server (e.g., mail.company.com)
* **Port:** Usually 993 for TLS or 143 for STARTTLS
* **Encryption:** SSL/TLS (recommended) or STARTTLS

{% hint style="info" %}
Your username defaults to your email address. Some servers require a different format like DOMAIN\username.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure SMTP settings**

Enter your Exchange server's SMTP details:

* **Hostname:** Your Exchange server (e.g., smtp.company.com or same as IMAP)
* **Port:** Usually 587 for STARTTLS or 465 for TLS
* **Encryption:** STARTTLS (recommended) or SSL/TLS
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure sidebar**

Choose how your Outlook folders appear in your sidebar:

* **Pin all labels** - All labels appear in a new sidebar section automatically.
* **I'll choose which labels to show** - Use the **+ More** button to add labels manually later.

{% hint style="info" %}
What Outlook calls folders, Missive calls labels. Same thing.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Connect**

Click **Connect** to add your account. Missive will verify the connection and start syncing your email.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Sync behavior

Actions in Missive sync back to your Exchange server:

| Action in Missive    | Syncs to Exchange                |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| New email in Inbox   | Yes                              |
| Email sent           | Yes - appears in Sent            |
| Email archived       | Yes - appears in Archive folder  |
| Email read/unread    | Yes                              |
| Label applied        | Yes - appears in matching folder |
| Email deleted        | Yes - appears in Trash           |
| Email marked as spam | Yes - appears in Junk            |
| Draft saved          | No                               |

## Contacts

Missive does not sync contacts from Exchange IMAP accounts. Use [Office 365 / Outlook](/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/email-accounts/outlook-office-365.md) if you need contact sync.

## Calendar

Calendar sync is not available for Exchange IMAP accounts. Use [Office 365 / Outlook](/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/email-accounts/outlook-office-365.md) if you need calendar integration.

## Troubleshooting

### Connection fails

* Verify IMAP is enabled on your Exchange server
* Check the hostname, port, and encryption settings with your IT team
* Ensure your account has IMAP access permissions
* Try both TLS and STARTTLS encryption options

### Authentication errors

* Some Exchange servers require DOMAIN\username format instead of email
* Verify your password is correct
* Check if your account requires app-specific passwords

### Sync issues

* Large mailboxes may take time to fully sync
* Folders with special characters may not sync correctly
* Contact support if specific folders aren't appearing


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