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Connect iCloud Mail

Connect iCloud Mail with an Apple app-specific password.

Written by Carl Martin

Cartograph connects iCloud Mail using an app-specific password. Use the dedicated iCloud flow and keep your main Apple Account password out of the mailbox password field.

Before you start

You need a personal Apple Account with iCloud Mail and two-factor authentication. This flow is for your own mailbox, not a delegated Microsoft shared mailbox.

Email accounts connection options for Microsoft 365, Gmail and iCloud.

Connect your own provider account from Email accounts.

Connect iCloud Mail

  1. Open Settings → Email accounts → Connect iCloud.

  2. Read the wizard’s account and import guidance. Confirm you are connecting your own iCloud mailbox.

  3. In your Apple Account settings, generate an app-specific password for this connection. Apple requires two-factor authentication for app-specific passwords.

  4. Enter the mailbox address and app-specific password in the Cartograph connection form, then finish the wizard.

  5. Check the connected account and review folders, history and Scout permissions.

  6. Wait for sync and verify a known recent message. Check the address used by outgoing drafts.

Check the result

The intended iCloud mailbox is connected and mail becomes visible after sync. If you change the Apple password or revoke the app-specific password, reconnect with a usable app-specific password.

Keep control of the connection

Give the app-specific password a recognizable label in Apple Account so you can revoke the correct one later. Store it only in the authorized connection flow.

Cartograph supports one connected iCloud account per user in this connection flow. Connecting another address can replace the previous iCloud connection; review the wizard before continuing.

Find Apple’s current instructions

Apple’s support guide explains how to generate and revoke app-specific passwords. Follow the current instructions if your Apple Account screen differs.

If something does not look right

What you see

What to check

Authentication fails

Use the app-specific password rather than the main Apple Account password; verify the mailbox address.

The mailbox needs reconnecting

Check whether the app-specific password was revoked or invalidated, then reconnect from Cartograph.

Does disconnecting revoke the Apple password?

Disconnecting stops Cartograph access. Revoke the app-specific password in Apple Account when you also want to remove that credential at Apple.

Continue your work

Open the relevant area in Cartograph to continue with your workspace data.

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