Introduction to Hotmail Login
Need to sign in to your Hotmail account? Even though Microsoft moved Hotmail to Outlook.com, your original @hotmail.com address still works perfectly. This updated 2026 guide gets you into your inbox in seconds — on any device.
✅ Direct login link: https://outlook.live.com
📱 On mobile? Jump to: Android & iPhone sign-in guide ↓
🌐 How to Sign In to Hotmail on a Computer
- Open your browser and go to: outlook.live.com.
- Click the "Sign in" button in the top-right corner.
- Enter your full email address — this can be your @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @outlook.com address.
- Click Next, enter your password, then click "Sign in".
- If you have two-step verification enabled, approve the notification on your phone or enter the code sent to your recovery contact.
- You will be taken directly to your inbox.
💡 All @hotmail.com, @live.com, and @outlook.com addresses share the same login page. Your old Hotmail credentials work without any changes — nothing needs to be updated.
📱 How to Sign In to Hotmail on Android or iPhone
The easiest and most reliable way to access Hotmail on your phone is through the official Microsoft Outlook app.
Android
- Download the Microsoft Outlook app from Google Play.
- Open the app and tap "Add Account".
- Enter your full Hotmail email address and tap Continue.
- Enter your password and follow any verification prompts to complete sign-in.
iPhone (iOS)
- Download the Microsoft Outlook app from the App Store.
- Open the app and tap "Add Account".
- Enter your Hotmail email address, tap Add Account, then enter your password.
- Complete any two-step verification if prompted. Your inbox will then sync automatically.
💡 You can also add your Hotmail account to the iPhone's default Mail app. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account and select Outlook.com from the list.
🔑 Forgot Your Hotmail Password? Reset It in 3 Steps
- Go to the official Microsoft password reset page.
- Enter your Hotmail email address and complete the CAPTCHA security challenge.
- Choose to receive a verification code via your recovery email or phone number, enter the code, and create a new strong password.
🔹 No access to your recovery phone or email? Go to account.live.com/acsr to submit a manual identity verification request to Microsoft.
🚫 Troubleshooting Hotmail Sign-In Problems
- Wrong password error: Double-check for typos and make sure Caps Lock is off. If unsure, reset your password at account.live.com/password/reset.
- Account blocked or locked: Microsoft may temporarily lock accounts after too many failed login attempts. Wait 24 hours and try again, or use the password reset option.
- Verification code not arriving: Check your spam/junk folder if using a recovery email. If using a phone number, ensure you have mobile signal and the number on file is correct.
- Browser issues: Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try signing in through an incognito/private window. Switching browsers can also help.
- Page not loading: Try accessing outlook.live.com directly rather than through a saved bookmark, which may be outdated.
🔐 Keep Your Hotmail Account Secure
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Go to your Microsoft account security settings and turn on 2FA. This is the single most effective way to block unauthorized access.
- Use a unique password: Never reuse a password from another site. A password manager can generate and store strong credentials for every account.
- Review sign-in activity: Visit account.live.com/activity regularly to check for any logins you don't recognize.
- Watch out for phishing: Microsoft will never ask for your password via email. Any message requesting your login credentials is a scam.
- Sign out on shared devices: Always sign out of Hotmail/Outlook when using a public or shared computer to prevent unauthorized access.
📡 IMAP, POP & SMTP Settings for Hotmail / Outlook
To access your Hotmail account through a third-party email client like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or the Outlook desktop app, use the following server settings:
| IMAP (Incoming Mail — recommended for syncing across devices) | |
|---|---|
| Server | outlook.office365.com |
| Port | 993 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS |
| POP (Incoming Mail — alternative, downloads to one device only) | |
|---|---|
| Server | outlook.office365.com |
| Port | 995 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS |
| SMTP (Outgoing Mail) | |
|---|---|
| Server | smtp.office365.com |
| Port | 587 |
| Encryption | STARTTLS |
💡 If your email client does not support modern OAuth2 authentication, you may need to enable App Passwords from your Microsoft account security settings to connect successfully.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign in to my old Hotmail account?
Go to outlook.live.com and click Sign In. Enter your original @hotmail.com email and password — your old credentials still work. The platform has been updated to Outlook but nothing about your account login has changed.
Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?
Yes. Microsoft rebranded Hotmail to Outlook.com in 2013. They are the same service — your @hotmail.com address still works for sending and receiving email, and you log in through the same Outlook.com page.
Why can't I sign in to Hotmail?
The most common causes are an incorrect password, a temporarily locked account after too many failed attempts, or a browser caching issue. Try resetting your password first. If that doesn't work, clear your cookies or use a different browser or incognito window.
How do I recover my Hotmail account without a phone number?
During the password reset process, choose the option to use your recovery email address instead. If you have neither a recovery email nor a phone number, go to account.live.com/acsr to submit a manual account recovery request to Microsoft.
Can I access Hotmail on my iPhone's default Mail app?
Yes. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account and select Outlook.com. Enter your @hotmail.com email and password, and your account will be added automatically to the iPhone Mail app.
How do I reset my Hotmail password?
Visit account.live.com/password/reset, enter your email address, and verify your identity with your recovery phone or email. Follow the steps to set a new password. The whole process takes under 2 minutes.
🔗 Helpful Links
📋 Conclusion
Signing in to your Hotmail or Outlook account in 2026 takes just a few seconds on any device. Whether you're on a PC, Android, or iPhone — this guide covers every scenario including password resets and account recovery. Keep your security settings updated and enable two-step verification to make sure your inbox stays protected.