My btconnect.com email is no longer accessible via Outlook. What are my options?
If you have been using Microsoft Outlook to access your @btconnect.com email address then upcoming changes by BT means you will no longer be able to access these emails via Outlook. This change might have already happened to you or will it happen very shortly (as of May 2023). Further details can be found on the BT website.
Why can’t I continue to access my emails via Outlook?
It’s a good question because BT are forcing you to change your working habits. The change is due to changes being made by the Microsoft as part of something called modern authentication.
Your @btconnect.com email address is hosted by an old Microsoft system which uses a security method called basic authentication. It is this basic authentication which is no longer being supported by Microsoft. As a result the only way you will be able to access your @btconnect.com emails is via a web browser.
How do I access my emails?
You will be able to access your emails via your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) by going to www.outlook.office.com or via the BT website. The user interface is not dissimilar to Outlook but it is certainly not the same as the Outlook you have been using. And if you’ve been using Outlook for years it is certainly no substitute.
What about all my old emails?
Because @btconnect.com email addresses work on the POP3 protocol this means that the bulk of your emails will remain on your computer in Outlook. And this is where they will stay. And new emails will only be visible via the web browser as explained above. Therefore it is likely you will have to switch between Outlook and the webmail version to view old emails and new emails. If you want to reply to an old email in Outlook then unfortunately you won’t be able to.
But I really want to continue using Outlook for my emails, so what are my options?
If you want to use Outlook for your emails you will need to change your email address. When you’re a business who has been using your @btconnect.com email address for many years this is certainly a major upheaval. However, in these situations I always try to look on the positive side. Every cloud has a silver lining etc.
There are many things about @btconnect.com email addresses which have never been. For example, the POP3 protocol is very old and it’s not easy to keep the emails on your phone and computer in sync. Therefore, now is your opportunity to get a better email system for your business.
Get a professional email address for your business today
Create the right impression for your business
Get a Professional Email Address
Let’s assume you have an accountancy business called RJ Accountants and your current email address is something like rjaccountants@btconnect.com. Now imagine having an email address of info@rjaccountants.co.uk. Which one looks more professional to you? I think you’ll agree the latter one looks best.
How to setup a professional email address like this
If you would like a professional email address in the form of your own domain name then the first step is to purchase a domain name. You can go to IONOS website to search and find a domain name.
If you already have a website then you will already have a domain name. On this basis it will be necessary to add an email service to it. Whoever built your website will be able to help you with this but my big piece of advice is to use Microsoft Exchange to host your emails. You can read more about the Microsoft Exchange services we at Computer Magic offer our customers.
Telling people about your new address
Updating your customers with your new email address is never easy or fun but the good thing is it doesn’t have to be done immediately. As your BT Connect email address still works you can continue using it and email each customer when appropriate that you have a new email address.
Can I move all my old emails into my new email account?
Any emails that you already have in the desktop version of Outlook can be migrated to your new email address. But newer emails which can only be access via www.outlook.office.com will have to stay here. Therefore, the sooner you create a new email address the better.