How to setup a Bigpond email in Outlook – Microsoft Office

Do you want to use your BigPond email address in Microsoft Outlook on your Windows PC or Mac?

You can usually add your BigPond email account to Outlook using your email address and password. If automatic setup fails, you may need to enter Telstra’s mail server settings manually or generate an app-specific password.

This guide explains how to set up BigPond email in Outlook, check the correct settings and fix common connection problems.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• Your full BigPond email address, such as yourname@bigpond.com or yourname@bigpond.net.au.
• Your current Telstra Mail password.
• Access to your Telstra email account through a web browser.
• An up-to-date version of Outlook.

If you cannot sign in to Telstra Mail online, resolve that problem before troubleshooting Outlook.

You can access Telstra Mail through the official Telstra email website.

Method 1 — Add BigPond email to Outlook automatically

Start with automatic setup. Outlook can often detect the required mail server settings for you.

On Windows

1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
2. If this is your first email account, follow the initial setup prompts. Otherwise, select File → Add Account in classic Outlook or File > Account Info > Add Account in the newer version.
3. Enter your full BigPond email address.
4. Select Connect or continue with the setup prompts.
5. Enter your password when requested.
6. Complete any verification or security prompts.
7. Wait for Outlook to finish setting up the account.
8. Send yourself a test email and check that you can receive it.

The menu options differ between Classic Outlook and the newer Outlook for Windows (if you have an Office licence) and the FREE version of Outlook should you not have a current subscription.

In the newer version, open Outlook > File > Account Info > Add Account

Outlook Classic – open Outlook , File > Info > Add Account

On a Mac

1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Open Outlook’s account settings.
3. Select the option to add an email account.
4. Enter your full BigPond email address.
5. Follow the prompts to sign in and complete the setup.
6. If prompted, enter your password or the app-specific password generated through Telstra Mail.
7. Send a test email and check that incoming messages arrive.

The exact menu names vary between Outlook versions for Mac.

If the account is added successfully, you can skip the manual configuration below.

Method 2 — Enter the BigPond email server settings manually

If automatic setup fails, you can enter Telstra’s mail server settings manually.

Telstra uses the same published server settings for Telstra Mail and BigPond email.

Recommended IMAP settings

IMAP is generally the best choice if you use your email on more than one device because it synchronises messages and folders with the mail server.

Setting	Value
Account type	IMAP
Incoming server	imap.telstra.com
Incoming port	993
Incoming encryption	SSL
Outgoing server (SMTP)	smtp.telstra.com
Outgoing port	465
Outgoing encryption	SSL/TLS
Outgoing authentication	Enabled
Username	Your full BigPond email address

Telstra also supports outgoing SMTP on port 587 with STARTTLS encryption.

How to enter the settings in classic Outlook for Windows

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select File → Add Account.
3. Enter your BigPond email address.
4. Select Advanced options if shown.
5. Select the option to set up the account manually.
6. Choose IMAP.
7. Enter the incoming and outgoing server details from the table above.
8. Enter your email address as the username.
9. Enter your Telstra Mail password, or your app-specific password if required.
10. Complete the setup and test sending and receiving email.

If you are using the newer Outlook for Windows, the advanced setup screens may look different.

What about POP?

Telstra also provides POP3 settings, but IMAP is generally preferable when you want to access your email on several devices.

If you specifically need POP, Telstra’s settings are:

• Incoming server: pop.telstra.com
• Port: 995
• Encryption: SSL

Before switching an existing account from POP to IMAP, make sure any email stored only on your computer is backed up. Changing account types can affect locally stored messages and folders.

For the latest settings, see Telstra’s official guide to IMAP, POP and SMTP mail server settings.

Method 3 — Use an app-specific password if Outlook rejects your password

If Outlook repeatedly rejects your usual password, you may need to generate an app-specific password through Telstra Mail.

An app-specific password is a separate password used by an email application such as Outlook. It is not the same as changing your main Telstra password.

How to generate an app-specific password

1. Open Telstra Mail in your web browser.
2. Sign in to your BigPond account.
3. Open Settings.
4. Select Accounts.
5. Find the App-specific passwords section.
6. Select Generate Password.
7. Give the password a useful name, such as Outlook on Windows or Outlook on Mac.
8. Copy the generated password carefully.
9. Return to Outlook and enter it when prompted for your email password.

Insert your existing screenshots showing Telstra Mail settings, app-specific passwords and password generation here, provided they still match the current website.

Keep the generated password private. Do not share it with anyone, and do not publish screenshots containing the password.

For current instructions, see Telstra’s guide to app-specific passwords.

Troubleshooting common BigPond and Outlook problems

If your account still will not connect, don’t repeatedly remove and re-add it without checking the cause.

Outlook keeps asking for my password

• Check that you can sign in to Telstra Mail in a browser.
• Confirm that the email address is entered correctly.
• Check whether an app-specific password is required.
• If you recently changed your Telstra password, check whether Outlook needs updated credentials.

I can receive email but cannot send messages

Check your outgoing mail settings:

• SMTP server: smtp.telstra.com
• Port: 465 with SSL/TLS, or 587 with STARTTLS
• Outgoing server authentication: enabled

Make sure the outgoing server is configured to use authentication.

Outlook cannot connect to the incoming mail server

Check that your incoming settings are correct:

• IMAP server: imap.telstra.com
• Port: 993
• Encryption: SSL

Also check your internet connection and confirm that your email works through Telstra Mail online.

My emails are not synchronising between devices

Check whether your account uses IMAP or POP. IMAP synchronises messages with the server, whereas POP downloads messages and may not synchronise folders and message status across devices.

I still cannot add my BigPond account

If you have tried automatic setup, checked the server settings and generated an app-specific password where necessary, the issue may need further investigation.

For more detailed troubleshooting, see our separate guide:

Having issues adding a BigPond email account to Outlook?

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use my BigPond email address in Outlook?

You can generally use a BigPond email address in a compatible email application while the account and service remain available. Follow Telstra’s current setup instructions and account requirements.

Do I use my BigPond email password or an app-specific password?

Start with the normal password if automatic setup accepts it. If Outlook requires an app-specific password or repeatedly rejects your normal password, follow Telstra’s current instructions to generate one.

Should I use IMAP or POP?

IMAP is recommended for most people who use email on multiple devices. POP may be suitable for particular circumstances, but check where your existing messages are stored before changing account settings.

Will removing my BigPond account from Outlook delete my email address?

Removing the account from Outlook does not itself cancel your BigPond email service. However, locally stored messages may be affected, so back up important email before removing or changing an existing account.

Need help with BigPond email or Outlook?

If you are having trouble setting up BigPond email, sending messages or synchronising email across your devices, iTech WA can help.

iTech WA provides friendly, practical IT support for homes and small businesses in Bridgetown and the South West of Western Australia.

Contact iTech WA for assistance with Outlook, email setup and computer problems.

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