Constant problems accessing BT email via Mac Mail and iPhone devices, common fault

[Susan-B]

I am getting totally fed up of this issue.

Several years ago and shortly after getting a Macbook on which it initially seemed to work fine in Macmail, my BT email address stopped working with Macmail. Since then, I have tried all kinds of things, including using Outlook for Mac, ending up with a Gmail address etc. so half my e mails were going into Outlook and the other half into Macmail - very confusing, as I use my Macbook and BT email as a work email!

Yesterday, I lost the use of my BT email in Outlook, AND on my iPhone.  Called BT and complained.  They were supposed to call me back but didn't. Fiddled about with resetting the SMTP settings and other settings, reset password etc.

As my e mail is 'an email address you've given to friends or family' according to the BT website, rather than listed under the 'active e mail addresses' I don't even seem to be able to view my e mails on BT's crappy website either!

I am sick to death of the HOURS and I mean HOURS of time I have wasted faffing about trying to get their useless email to work on my Macbook and iPhone.

As I have my own web domain, I have finally created myself an e mail address there and am now in the slow process of moving all my online accounts to that email address. Of course, once I am no longer dependent on my @btinternet.com email address, I will be free to move my landline, broadband and mobile contracts away from BT and finally, perhaps, find a provider with a half decent service!

This is just one of several problems I have had with BT.  A couple of years ago, we had a farce over so called 'high speed' broadband, which BT persistently refused to sort out properly, and which I eventually worked out was due to the truly ancient final 10ft of wiring linking our house to the BT distribution box...

I will be calling them again at 8 am this morning, once I can get through to a call handler in the UK who isn't reading from a script. This time I will be complaining that they failed to return the call yesterday (as promised) and threatening to cancel our account with them. 

Can anyone recommend a better provider?

[Susan-B]

Have just had a lengthy phone call to BT (in Ireland) and basically, because (allegedly!) I could access my e mails via their crappy website (which I can't, because for some weird reason BT has decided that my email is one that the account holder has 'given to friends or family!), they can't do anything about it.  Basically, they are blaming Outlook for Mac and Apple for not working with their systems!

I have explained to them that I will be spending this morning no longer trying to get their e mail to work in Macmail or Outlook for Mac, but changing the email addresses on all my online accounts to either my gmail or own domain email addresses, and after that, I will be looking to change provider.

Really, this is utterly pathetic.

[retrieve]

I am impressed that you managed to make phone contact so quickly this a.m.! Sorry you did not get a better outcome.

My problem is on my Macbook (AppleMail) and Imac  (Outlook), but never with Iphone  which makes me think it's a Bt problem.

It is very erratic and suddenly burst back into life this morning

I have a GMail account that I don't use much, but it seems to work ok

[Carp]

I’m not getting emails at all on my Mac Pro from by bt internet account. I have switched to gmail. It’s appalling the service about this matter. I have ditched BT and have Wessex which is utterly brilliant!! However we live in the right place for Wessex. I am amazed BT have not done something about this. 

[DanielS]

Hi @Susan-B,

I am sorry to hear about the problems that you have had.

I'd like to look into this for you to see if there's anything that we can do to help you. The first thing that we will need to help you with is getting access to your email through our website. I've sent you a Private Message with some info that I will need from you to get started.

Thanks

DanielS