Start with the right service
An @sbcglobal.net address belongs to the AT&T Mail family. Follow the account’s current AT&T sign-in and security instructions instead of older instructions that use obsolete Yahoo-era server names.
Configuration quick reference
| Reference | What to check |
|---|---|
| Connection and access | IMAP: imap.mail.att.net, port 993, SSL. SMTP: smtp.mail.att.net, port 465 or 587. POP: inbound.att.net, port 995, SSL. |
| Account authority | Use the original provider for identity verification, account recovery, eligibility and billing. |
Official reference: AT&T email settings. Check the provider’s current instructions before changing settings. Reviewed October 14, 2026.
Work through the problem
- Confirm the entire address, including @sbcglobal.net, and test access from the official AT&T mail route.
- If the account cannot sign in in a browser, use AT&T’s recovery process. Changing a mail app cannot bypass provider verification.
- For an app that lacks OAuth, check AT&T’s secure mail key instructions. A secure mail key is different from the main account password.
- Check the outgoing server’s authentication separately if incoming messages work but sending fails.
Keep a useful diagnostic record
Note the exact error, the application and version, and whether the same account works on the provider’s website. Record whether sending, receiving or sign-in fails. Remove private message content from screenshots before sharing them.
If you use POP or local folders, preserve those messages before removing an account. A new account configuration may not recover data stored only on the old device.
Choose your next step
For an app-only problem, compare authorization and settings with the official reference above. For an account restriction or failed identity check, continue with the original provider. Independent assistance cannot bypass these controls.
Related guides: IMAP, POP and SMTP · Password recovery · Email synchronization.