How to Set Up QQ Mail in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, and Other Email Apps

Dylan White

Dylan White

— 6 min read
How to Set Up QQ Mail in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, and Other Email Apps
Photo by Donald Wu / Unsplash

If you live in China, or use Chinese online services often, QQ Mail is still one of the most useful email accounts to have. Many Chinese websites and apps only support domestic email providers to be attached, and QQ Mail is one of the most widely used options.

The good news is that QQ Mail can work with most major email apps, including Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Spark, Foxmail, and built-in iPhone or Android mail apps. The part that confuses many users is that QQ Mail usually does not let you sign in to third-party mail clients with your normal QQ password. You need to enable IMAP, POP3, and SMTP access first, then generate an authorization code.

Quick answer

To use QQ Mail in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or another email app, log in to the QQ Mail website, enable IMAP or POP3 and SMTP in settings, generate an authorization code, then use that code as your password when adding the account in your mail client.

Why QQ Mail needs an authorization code

QQ Mail uses a separate authorization code for third-party email apps instead of your normal QQ account password. This is a security feature.

So when Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, or another app asks for your password, you usually need to enter the QQ Mail authorization code, not your QQ login password.

If you enter your regular QQ password, the setup may fail even if everything else is correct.

Step 1: Enable IMAP, POP3, and SMTP in QQ Mail

Before you can use QQ Mail in another email app, you need to enable mail access from the QQ Mail web interface.

  1. Open mail.qq.com in your browser and sign in.
  2. Click Settings in the top right corner.
  3. Open the Accounts section.
  4. Scroll down to the section for POP3/IMAP/SMTP services.
  5. Enable the services you want to use.

For most people, IMAP + SMTP is the best choice. If you specifically want POP3, you can enable POP3 + SMTP instead.

  1. Complete the security verification process.
  2. QQ Mail will generate a 16-character authorization code.

Save this code somewhere safe. You will need it when setting up your account in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, or any other mail client.

Also note that if you change your QQ password or update certain account security settings later, this authorization code may stop working. If that happens, you will need to generate a new one.

Step 2: Add your QQ Mail account to your email app

Once you have the authorization code, open your email app and add a new account.

Enter your full QQ Mail address, for example:

When the app asks for a password, enter the authorization code, not your QQ password.

Some mail apps can detect the QQ Mail server settings automatically. If that works, you can finish setup without entering the server details manually.

If auto setup fails, use the manual QQ Mail server settings below.

QQ Mail IMAP settings

IMAP is the recommended option for most users because it keeps your email synchronized across multiple devices.

Use these QQ Mail IMAP settings:

  • Account type: IMAP
  • Incoming mail server: imap.qq.com
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS

QQ Mail SMTP settings

Use these SMTP settings for outgoing mail:

  • Outgoing mail server: smtp.qq.com
  • Port: 465 with SSL/TLS, or 587 with STARTTLS
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS

Login details

  • Username: your full QQ Mail address
  • Password: your QQ Mail authorization code

QQ Mail POP3 settings

POP3 is also supported, but it is usually less convenient than IMAP if you check email on more than one device.

Use these QQ Mail POP3 settings:

  • Account type: POP3
  • Incoming mail server: pop.qq.com
  • Port: 995
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS

For outgoing mail, use the same QQ Mail SMTP settings:

  • Outgoing mail server: smtp.qq.com
  • Port: 465 or 587
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS

Login details

  • Username: your full QQ Mail address
  • Password: your QQ Mail authorization code

If your email app has a setting called Outgoing server requires authentication or Use same settings as incoming server, make sure it is enabled.

Should you use IMAP or POP3 for QQ Mail?

For most users, IMAP is the better choice.

IMAP keeps your inbox, sent mail, and folders synchronized across your phone, laptop, tablet, and other devices. If you read or delete a message on one device, the same change appears on the others.

POP3 is older and mainly useful if you want to download messages to one device without relying on server-side sync.

If you are not sure which one to choose, use IMAP.

How to use QQ Mail in Outlook

QQ Mail can usually be added to Outlook with either automatic setup or manual IMAP and SMTP settings.

If Outlook does not configure the account automatically, use:

  • IMAP server: imap.qq.com
  • IMAP port: 993
  • SMTP server: smtp.qq.com
  • SMTP port: 465 or 587
  • Password: your QQ Mail authorization code

This works for most Windows versions of Outlook.

How to use QQ Mail in Apple Mail

Apple Mail usually works well with QQ Mail through standard IMAP and SMTP settings.

If setup does not complete automatically, enter the QQ Mail IMAP and SMTP settings manually, then use your authorization code as the password.

How to use QQ Mail in Gmail app or Android mail apps

If you are using the Gmail app or another Android mail app, add a new account and choose manual setup if automatic detection fails.

Use the same QQ Mail IMAP or POP3 settings listed above. Again, the password field should contain the authorization code, not your normal QQ password.

How to use QQ Mail on iPhone

On iPhone, you can try adding QQ Mail through the built-in Mail app. If QQ Mail is not listed directly, choose Other and enter the account manually using the QQ Mail IMAP and SMTP settings.

For most iPhone users, IMAP is the best option.

Common QQ Mail setup problems

QQ Mail password not working

This is the most common problem. In most cases, the issue is that the user entered their normal QQ password instead of the QQ Mail authorization code.

Make sure:

  • IMAP, POP3, or SMTP access has been enabled in QQ Mail settings
  • you are using the authorization code
  • the server ports and encryption settings are correct

QQ Mail cannot receive emails

If QQ Mail is not receiving emails in your mail app, check:

  • IMAP server is imap.qq.com
  • IMAP port is 993
  • POP3 server is pop.qq.com
  • POP3 port is 995
  • SSL/TLS is enabled

Incorrect ports or missing encryption are common causes of connection errors.

QQ Mail cannot send emails

If you can receive mail but cannot send it, check:

  • SMTP server is smtp.qq.com
  • SMTP port is 465 or 587
  • SMTP authentication is enabled
  • password field contains your authorization code

QQ Mail worked before but suddenly stopped

If your QQ Mail account worked in Outlook, Gmail, or Apple Mail before but no longer works, your authorization code may have expired or been invalidated after a password or security change.

Generate a new authorization code in QQ Mail settings and update the password in your email app.

QQ Mail server settings summary

Here is the short version of the settings:

IMAP

  • Server: imap.qq.com
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS

POP3

  • Server: pop.qq.com
  • Port: 995
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS

SMTP

  • Server: smtp.qq.com
  • Port: 465 or 587
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS

Login

  • Username: full QQ Mail address
  • Password: authorization code

Final thoughts

If you are a foreigner in China, or simply use Chinese websites and apps often, QQ Mail is worth setting up properly in a real email client. Once IMAP, POP3, and SMTP access are enabled and you have the authorization code, QQ Mail usually works without much trouble in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and other common mail apps.

The main thing to remember is simple: use the authorization code, not your normal QQ password.

FAQ

Can I use QQ Mail in Outlook?

Yes. QQ Mail works in Outlook through IMAP or POP3 with SMTP. You usually need to use an authorization code instead of your QQ password.

What is the QQ Mail IMAP server?

The QQ Mail IMAP server is imap.qq.com and the port is 993.

What is the QQ Mail SMTP server?

The QQ Mail SMTP server is smtp.qq.com. Use port 465 or 587.

What is the QQ Mail POP3 server?

The QQ Mail POP3 server is pop.qq.com and the port is 995.

Why does QQ Mail reject my password?

Most likely because you entered your normal QQ password instead of the authorization code generated in QQ Mail settings.

Is IMAP or POP3 better for QQ Mail?

IMAP is better for most users because it keeps email synchronized across devices.