How can I configure SMTP for email notifications in Amelia

SMTP lets you send Amelia notifications using a fully authenticated mail server. This method provides stronger deliverability and fewer spam issues compared to PHP Mail or WP Mail.

What is SMTP and why should I use it?

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) allows Amelia to send authenticated emails through a trusted mail provider. It is considered the most reliable method for transactional emails such as bookings, cancellations, and reminders.

Using SMTP helps prevent:

Emails going to spam
Delayed deliveries
Missing authentication headers
Rejected messages from stricter providers

If you want the highest reliability for customer notifications, SMTP is usually the best option.

Which SMTP fields do I need to configure?

When you select SMTP as the mail service, the following fields appear:

SMTP Host
SMTP Port
SMTP Secure (SSL or TLS)
SMTP Username
SMTP Password

Your provider must give you the correct values for these settings.

Which SMTP ports should I use?

The most commonly used ports are:

465 for SSL
587 for TLS

Your provider may require a different port; always confirm their recommended settings.

How do I configure SMTP for Gmail accounts?

When using a Gmail address as your SMTP provider, the recommended settings are:

SMTP Host: smtp.gmail.com
SMTP Port: 587
SMTP Secure: TLS
SMTP Username: your Gmail address
SMTP Password: your App Password

Google no longer allows standard password-based SMTP login. You must create an App Password and have 2-Step Verification enabled.
As of March 2025, Google recommends switching to OAuth for third-party apps, but SMTP with App Passwords still works and is supported.

Can I configure SMTP for Microsoft accounts?

SMTP is no longer supported for Outlook, Hotmail, Live, and Office365 accounts. Microsoft has discontinued App Passwords for SMTP authentication, which means these email services cannot be used with SMTP inside Amelia.

If you are using a Microsoft or Outlook email address, you must switch to the Outlook Mailer option instead of SMTP. This method uses Microsoft’s secure authentication flow and is the only supported way to send emails from Amelia with an Outlook-based account.

Can I use SMTP with other email providers?

Yes. Any service that supports SMTP for outgoing email will work with Amelia. This includes:

Zoho Mail
SendGrid
Amazon SES
Your web hosting provider
cPanel and Plesk email accounts

Just enter the SMTP details provided by your mail service.

Why won’t my SMTP connection work?

If SMTP fails to connect, the most common causes are:

Wrong host or port
Incorrect secure method (SSL vs TLS)
Provider rejecting password-based login
Missing App Password (Gmail or Microsoft)
Hosting firewall blocking outbound SMTP ports

Ports 465 and 587 are frequently blocked on shared hosting. Contact your host if Amelia cannot connect even with correct settings.