Configure SMTP in Microsoft 365 Using Basic Authentication
Basic Authentication is an outdated technology that Microsoft has been gradually disabling in Microsoft 365 in favor of more secure methods like Modern Authentication (OAuth 2.0).
However, many legacy devices such as printers, scanners, or older systems still rely on SMTP with Basic Authentication to send emails. To maintain compatibility with these devices, you can temporarily enable this feature.
Accessing Authentication Settings
To enable Basic Authentication for SMTP in Microsoft 365, follow these steps:
- Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- From the left-hand menu, go to Settings > Org settings.
- Scroll down to the Modern authentication section.
- Disable the option Block Basic authentication for SMTP.
- Save your changes.
SMTP Configuration for Devices or Applications
Once Basic Authentication is enabled, configure your SMTP device or app with the following settings:
- SMTP server: smtp.office365.com
- Port: 587 (STARTTLS) or 25 (STARTTLS)
- Authentication method: Basic Authentication
- Username: your Microsoft 365 email address
- Password: your Microsoft 365 account password
Security Warning
Microsoft is gradually disabling Basic Authentication across all tenants. Whenever possible, we recommend upgrading your devices or apps to support OAuth 2.0 to ensure better security and future compatibility.
