Setting up Mail on iPad

Many times I’m asked if there is an easier way to access Webmail accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, etc without having to open the web browser on the iPad.

Fortunately the answer is Yes!. The iPad comes with the Mail application which can be configured to retrieve and send emails without having to login using a web browser like Safari. Alternatively, some web mail services now have their own App that can be downloaded onto the iPad.

Applicable to:
iPad versions: iPad, iPad 2, the new iPad
iOS versions: iOS 5 and up

Configuring Mail with your Webmail account

To setup Mail with your Webmail account, make sure your iPad is connected to the Internet first. Then, from your Home screen go to,

Settings

iPad Settings icon

Then tap on Mail, Contacts, Calendars and Tap on “Add Account…”

Next, select the service provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail). For this example we will use Gmail.

Tap on Gmail and enter the following information:

Name: {Your name as it will appear on the emails sent from your iPad}
Email: {Your Gmail email address}
Password: {Password to your email account}
Description: {The description that will show for this account on your iPad)

Once you enter the information above, tap on “Next” on the top right corner. You’ll see a brief “Verifying” message (as long as the iPad is connected to the Internet).

On the next screen you will be able to choose which applications to synchronize (Mail, Calendars, Notes). The default is Mail, which is the one we will leave “ON”.

Next tap on “Save” on the top right corner.  You’ll see a brief “Adding account” message following by “Account added”.

Cool. Your webmail is configured.

Opening your iPad Mail program

Tap the home button

and then tap the Mail program icon:

iPad Mail program icon

 

I’ll show you more on how to use the iPad Mail app in a future post.

For now, give this iPad Mail settings a try and let me know how they work for you in the comments.