How to Add Comcast Email to Outlook
Last Updated on August 30, 2026 by Shaks George
In short: To add Comcast email to Outlook, first sign in to Xfinity Email and turn on Third Party Access Security, since Outlook will reject your password without it. If you use two-step verification, create an app password. Then add an IMAP account with imap.comcast.net on port 993 and smtp.comcast.net on port 587. To move several mailboxes at once, export them to a PST.
Turn on Third Party Access first
This is the step nearly everyone misses, which is why Outlook rejects a password that works fine on the web. Comcast, now Xfinity, blocks outside email programs by default, so no server setting matters until you allow access. Do this before anything else.
- Sign in to your account at the Xfinity Email site.
- Open Settings, the gear icon, then Security.
- Find Third Party Access Security and check the box to allow outside programs to reach your email.
- Save the change.
Skip this and the setup below fails with an incorrect password error even when the password is correct. Adding Comcast email to Outlook comes down to this one switch more than anything else.
Technical Executive and Staff Writer, Corbett Software
“Almost every failed Comcast setup I see is the same thing: the password is right, but Third Party Access is off, so Outlook is blocked at the door. Turn that on, add an app password if two-step is enabled, then the IMAP settings connect first try.”
Create an app password for two-step accounts
If you have two-step verification on your Xfinity account, your normal password will not work in Outlook. You need a one-time app password instead.
- In Xfinity Email, open Settings then Security, then Application Passwords.
- Select Create App Password, name it something like Outlook, then create it.
- Copy the password shown, since it appears only once, then enter it in Outlook in place of your normal password.
If two-step is off, skip this and use your usual Comcast password.
Comcast IMAP, POP and SMTP settings
Enter these exactly. IMAP keeps Outlook in sync with the server on every device, which suits most people.
| Setting | Incoming (IMAP) | Outgoing (SMTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | imap.comcast.net | smtp.comcast.net |
| Port | 993 | 587 |
| Security | SSL/TLS | STARTTLS |
| Authentication | Required | Required, same as incoming |
| Username | full email address | full email address |
Prefer POP over IMAP? Use pop3.comcast.net on port 995 with SSL for incoming. Keep the same SMTP settings. POP only suits a single device, so set Delete from server to Never to keep a copy in your webmail.
Add Comcast email to classic Outlook
With third party access on, the account setup is standard.
- Open Outlook, click File, then Add Account.
- Enter your Comcast address, then choose Advanced or the manual setup option and pick IMAP.
- Enter the incoming and outgoing servers and ports from the table.
- Under More Settings, open the Outgoing Server tab and tick My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication, set to use the same settings as incoming.
- Enter your password or the app password, then finish.
Add Comcast email to the new Outlook
The new Outlook for Windows guesses the wrong settings for a Comcast address, so add it by hand.
- Open Settings then Accounts then Email accounts then Add account.
- Enter your Comcast address, choose IMAP, then Show more and turn off Use recommended settings.
- Type the IMAP and SMTP servers and ports from the table, then Continue.
- Enter your password or the app password, then let it verify and sync.
If it still fails, confirm Third Party Access is on before touching anything else. Comcast also has the odd server-side hiccup that clears on its own, so a retry after a while can help.
Move it all into Outlook as a PST
The IMAP method links one live account at a time. Exporting to a PST is the cleaner route for several Comcast mailboxes. It also gives a fixed copy to open in Outlook or load into Office 365.
The Corbett Comcast Backup Tool connects to your Comcast account, previews every folder and exports it to a PST you can open in Outlook or import into Office 365, with attachments and folders kept. It handles several accounts in one session, then offers a free demo edition on every edition of Windows.
- Install and open the tool, then click Open then Email Accounts then Add Account.
- Enter your Comcast details and let it load and preview the folders.
- Click Export, pick PST or Office 365, then save.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Outlook reject my correct Comcast password?
Because Third Party Access Security is off. Turn it on in your Xfinity Email security settings. If two-step verification is on, use an app password instead of your normal one.
Are Comcast and Xfinity email the same?
Yes. Comcast rebranded its consumer services as Xfinity, so a comcast.net address and an Xfinity email are the same mailbox.
What are the Comcast IMAP and SMTP settings?
Incoming is imap.comcast.net on port 993 with SSL. Outgoing is smtp.comcast.net on port 587 with authentication. For POP, use pop3.comcast.net on port 995 with SSL.
Do I need an app password for Comcast in Outlook?
Only if two-step verification is on. Create one in Xfinity under Settings, Security, Application Passwords, then use it in Outlook. With two-step off, your normal password works.
Can I move Comcast email straight into Office 365?
The IMAP setup connects it to desktop Outlook. To land the mail in an Office 365 mailbox, export it to a PST first. A migration tool that writes to Office 365 also does it.
Will I keep my old emails after the account closes?
Only if the messages are already copied locally. Adding the account to Outlook or exporting to a PST keeps a copy on your computer.
