Can't add new account apple mail this account already exists

The frustrating "This account already exists" error in Apple Mail!

Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot the issue. Here are some steps to try and resolve the problem:

  1. Check for duplicate accounts: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, and look for any duplicate accounts with the same email address. If you find one, try deleting it and then re-adding the account.
  2. Check your email address: Make sure you're entering the correct email address and password. Double-check that you're using the correct email address and password for the account you're trying to add.
  3. Check for special characters: Some special characters like @, #, $, etc. might be causing the issue. Try removing any special characters from the email address and password.
  4. Check for capitalization: Ensure that the email address and password are entered in the correct case. Apple Mail is case-sensitive, so make sure you're using the same case as when you created the account.
  5. Check for account settings: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Account Name] > Advanced. Check if the account settings are correct, especially the "Incoming Mail Server" and "Outgoing Mail Server" settings.
  6. Try resetting the account: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Account Name] > Advanced > Reset. This will reset the account settings to their default values.
  7. Check for conflicts with other accounts: If you have multiple email accounts set up in Apple Mail, try removing other accounts and then re-adding the account that's causing the issue.
  8. Try restarting Apple Mail: Sometimes, simply restarting Apple Mail can resolve the issue.
  9. Check for software updates: Ensure that your Mac and Apple Mail are up to date. Sometimes, updates can resolve issues like this.
  10. Contact your email provider: If none of the above steps work, try contacting your email provider's support team to see if there's an issue on their end.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you can try resetting your Apple Mail settings or seeking further assistance from Apple Support.