Set Up SMTP with Microsoft Outlook

Before you begin

Testlify sends candidate emails using your SMTP server. Before configuring Testlify, confirm the following:

• You have admin access to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (required for steps 1–2)
• The sending account has Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled — app passwords are only available after MFA is active
• You will use an app password, not your regular Microsoft account password

Step 1: Enable MFA in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center at admin.microsoft.com.
2. Go to Users → Active users.
3. Click the user's name for the account you want to use for SMTP.
4. Under Manage security settings, click Multi-Factor Authentication.

Step 2: Enforce MFA for the User

1. On the Multi-Factor Authentication page, select the checkbox next to the user's name.
2. In the right panel, click Enable.
3. Confirm by clicking Enable multi-factor auth.

Tip: To require MFA on the user's next sign-in, click the user again and select Enforce.

Step 3: Complete MFA Setup (User Action)

1. The user signs in to portal.office.com.
2. When prompted, choose an MFA method:
   • Phone number (SMS or call)
   • Authenticator App (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator)
3. Complete the setup to activate two-step verification on the account.

Step 4: Generate an App Password

1. Sign in to myaccount.microsoft.com.
2. Click Security info in the left menu, or navigate directly to mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info.
3. Click Add method → select App password.
4. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., Testlify SMTP) and click Next.
5. Copy the generated app password immediately — it will not be shown again.

Step 5: Configure SMTP in Testlify

1. In Testlify, go to Settings → Email (SMTP).
2. Enter the following SMTP settings:
   • SMTP Host: smtp.office365.com
   • Port: 587
   • Encryption: STARTTLS
   • Username: your Outlook email address
   • Password: the app password from Step 4 (not your regular Microsoft password)
3. Click Save, then send a test email to verify the connection.

Troubleshooting: App Password Option Not Available

If App password does not appear as an option, your organization's security policy is blocking it. An admin must update the settings based on your configuration:

Without Conditional Access:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as a Security Administrator.
2. Go to Identity → Overview → Properties.
3. Click Manage security defaults at the bottom of the page.
4. Set Security defaults to Disabled and click Save.

Note: Disabling security defaults requires a premium Microsoft license.

With Conditional Access:

1. Sign in to the Azure portal as a Security or Conditional Access administrator.
2. Go to Microsoft Entra ID → Security → Conditional Access.
3. Open the policy that blocks legacy authentication.
4. Under Users and groups → Exclude, add the SMTP mailbox account.
5. Click Save.

Need help? Contact support.