Easily Add Your ProtonMail Account to Apple Mail (2025 Update)

ProtonMail has earned its reputation as one of the most secure email services in the world. With end-to-end encryption, zero-access architecture, and Swiss privacy laws backing it, ProtonMail is ideal for users who take digital security seriously.

But here’s the problem: ProtonMail doesn’t natively support IMAP or SMTP, which means you can’t directly add it to Apple Mail—or any third-party email client—without a workaround. The solution? ProtonMail Bridge.

In this 2025 updated guide, you’ll learn how to connect ProtonMail to Apple Mail, set up the Bridge, and import ProtonMail mailboxes into Apple Mail—step-by-step.

Why Connect ProtonMail to Apple Mail?

If you’re a Mac user, Apple Mail is probably your go-to client for email. It offers:

• A clutter-free interface
• Seamless integration with macOS features like Spotlight, Handoff, and Siri
• Native support for calendar, contacts, and notes
• Unified inbox management for multiple accounts

By connecting ProtonMail to Apple Mail, you combine ProtonMail’s privacy with Apple Mail’s usability. This means:

• No need to constantly log in via browser
• Offline access to emails
• Better integration with macOS notification systems
• Easier backup and email migration options

However, ProtonMail’s security model doesn’t support direct IMAP/SMTP access for regular accounts. This is why ProtonMail Bridge exists—an application that enables local email clients like Apple Mail to interact with ProtonMail securely.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

To get started, make sure you have the following:

Requirement	Description
ProtonMail Plus Plan or Higher	Bridge is only available for paid users.
ProtonMail Bridge App	Acts as the local gateway between ProtonMail and Apple Mail.
macOS with Apple Mail Installed	Ensure your Apple Mail is updated to work with recent IMAP standards.
ProtonMail Credentials	Username and password to log in to the Bridge.

Note: ProtonMail Bridge is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. This guide focuses specifically on Mac.

Step 1: Install and Set Up ProtonMail Bridge

1. Download ProtonMail Bridge:
   Visit the official ProtonMail Bridge page: https://proton.me/mail/bridge
2. Install the Application:
   Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and follow the installation steps.
3. Open the Bridge and Log In:
   Launch ProtonMail Bridge and click Add Account. Log in using your ProtonMail credentials.
4. Account Added Successfully:
   Once logged in, Bridge will show your account status as “Running” and display IMAP/SMTP settings for local use.

Important: ProtonMail Bridge encrypts/decrypts emails locally, ensuring that even when you connect it to Apple Mail, your data remains protected.

Step 2: Locate IMAP/SMTP Settings in ProtonMail Bridge

After adding your account, ProtonMail Bridge generates custom IMAP and SMTP settings for your Apple Mail to connect locally.

Here’s where to find them:

• IMAP Hostname: 127.0.0.1 (Localhost)
• IMAP Port: Usually 1143
• SMTP Hostname: 127.0.0.1
• SMTP Port: Usually 1025
• Username and Password: Auto-generated (different from your ProtonMail login)

Click on your account inside the Bridge app, then choose the “Mail Client Settings” option to copy the above details.

Tip: Keep this window open—you’ll need these values in the next step.

Step 3: Add ProtonMail to Apple Mail

Now that you’ve got your local mail server info, it’s time to add your ProtonMail account to Apple Mail manually.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Apple Mail and go to
   Mail > Settings > Accounts
2. Click the “+” button to add a new account.
3. Choose “Other Mail Account…” and click Continue.
4. Enter:
   • Name: Your name (as you want it to appear on outgoing emails)
   • Email: Your ProtonMail address (e.g., [email protected])
   • Password: Use the Bridge-generated password (not your ProtonMail login)
5. Click Sign In. You’ll see an error that it couldn’t verify—don’t worry, it’s normal. Click Next to configure manually.
6. Manually enter:
   • Incoming Mail Server (IMAP)
     • Hostname: 127.0.0.1
     • Port: 1143
     • Username: Provided by Bridge
     • Password: Provided by Bridge
   • Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)
     • Hostname: 127.0.0.1
     • Port: 1025
     • Use Authentication: Yes
     • Username & Password: Same as above
7. Click Sign In, then Done. The account should now appear in Apple Mail’s account list.

Congratulations! Your ProtonMail is now connected to Apple Mail!

Step 4: Import ProtonMail Mailboxes in Apple Mail

After successful setup, Apple Mail will start syncing ProtonMail folders, including:

• Inbox
• Sent
• Drafts
• Archive
• Spam
• Trash
• Custom Labels (treated as folders)

To ensure full mailbox visibility:

• In Apple Mail, go to Mailbox > Synchronize All Accounts
• Or right-click on the ProtonMail account and choose Synchronize

The initial sync may take a few minutes depending on mailbox size.

Pro Tip: If you don’t see some folders, go to ProtonMail Bridge > Account > Advanced Settings > ensure “Import All Folders” is enabled.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Bridge Not Starting

• Solution: Quit the app and relaunch it. If it persists, reinstall or update the Bridge app.

Apple Mail Keeps Asking for Password

• Cause: Using your actual ProtonMail password instead of the Bridge-generated one.
• Solution: Double-check credentials in Bridge under Mail Client Settings.

Missing Folders or Labels

• Solution: Manually synchronize or toggle folder sync options inside Bridge > Settings.

Apple Mail Not Sending Emails

• Cause: SMTP misconfiguration
• Solution: Check if the SMTP port and authentication credentials are correct.

If problems persist, check ProtonMail Bridge’s official help page for detailed solutions.

Best Practices & Final Tips

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your ProtonMail account for added security.
• Keep ProtonMail Bridge Updated to avoid compatibility issues.
• Back up your emails locally through Apple Mail’s Export feature.
• Avoid adding the same ProtonMail account to multiple clients via Bridge unless advanced configurations are in place.

Conclusion

Adding your ProtonMail account to Apple Mail may seem technical at first, but once the Bridge is up and running, the process is smooth. It allows you to enjoy ProtonMail’s encryption and Apple Mail’s usability—the best of both worlds.

You now know how to:

• Add ProtonMail to Apple Mail
• Use ProtonMail Bridge for IMAP/SMTP access
• Import ProtonMail mailboxes into Apple Mail

Still stuck or want to share your setup experience? Leave a comment or question below—we’d love to help you out.