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Using a historic email address like Alice (now TIM Mail) is a custom for many Italians, a link to their first digital experiences. However, in the dynamic telecommunications market, changing connectivity operators is a common practice. Here, a frequent problem arises: the inability to send emails from your Alice/@tim.it account when connected to an internet network other than TIM’s. This obstacle, which is purely technical, can generate frustration but has a precise solution lying in the correct configuration of the outgoing mail server, known as SMTP.
This article serves as a complete guide to overcoming this issue. We will explain, in simple and direct language, why this block occurs and how to resolve it. We will provide the correct parameters and detailed instructions to configure any email client (such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail), allowing you to return to sending emails from your trusted Alice address, regardless of your current internet service provider. The goal is to combine the tradition of your email address with the innovation and freedom of choice regarding your connectivity provider.
The main reason you cannot send emails from an Alice/TIM account via another operator’s network lies in the security and anti-spam policies adopted by providers. Historically, internet service providers (ISPs) limited the use of their SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server exclusively to customers connected to their own network. This approach served to prevent malicious users from exploiting the server to send mass spam emails, making it easier to trace the origin of the transmissions. Consequently, if you try to use the TIM SMTP server while on a Vodafone, Fastweb, or WindTre network, the request is blocked.
To overcome this limitation, you need to instruct your email client to use an SMTP server that requires authentication. In practice, instead of granting access based solely on the originating network, the server will verify your credentials (username and password) before authorizing the transmission. This method ensures that only the legitimate owner of the account can send messages, maintaining a high level of security regardless of the connection used. The good news is that TIM provides specific parameters for this eventuality.
To correctly configure your email client and send emails from your @alice.it or @tim.it address from any connection, it is fundamental to use SMTP parameters that include authentication. These data ensure that the TIM server recognizes you as a legitimate user. Here are the universal parameters to enter in the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings of your preferred email program.
The essential data to use are as follows:
It is crucial that the authentication option is enabled. Many email clients offer a checkbox with wording like “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” or “Use same settings as my incoming mail server”. By selecting this option and entering the data listed above, your client will be able to communicate with the TIM server in a secure and authorized manner, resolving the sending issue.
The practical application of SMTP parameters may vary slightly depending on the email client used. Let’s see together how to proceed on the most widespread programs, keeping the universal parameters provided earlier as a reference. The goal is always the same: locate the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings and update them.
In Microsoft Outlook, the procedure is intuitive. Go to File, then Account Settings and select Account Settings again. Double-click on the Alice/TIM account you wish to modify. Click on More Settings and go to the Outgoing Server tab. Here, check the box “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” and ensure the option “Use same settings as my incoming mail server” is selected. Next, in the Advanced tab, set the Outgoing server (SMTP) port to 587 and select STARTTLS or TLS as the encrypted connection type. Confirm with OK and complete the procedure.
For Thunderbird users, the process is equally simple. Click on the menu (the three horizontal lines in the top right) and go to Account Settings. In the left panel, scroll down to the bottom and select Outgoing Server (SMTP). Find the server associated with your Alice account, select it, and click Edit. In the window that opens, set the Server Name to smtp.tim.it, the Port to 587, and the Connection security to STARTTLS. For Authentication method, choose “Normal password”. Enter your full email address as the User Name. For a more detailed guide, you can consult our article on how to configure Alice Mail on Thunderbird.
On Apple devices, the logic remains the same. On Mac, open the Mail app, go to Mail > Settings > Accounts. Select your Alice account from the list, then go to the Server Settings tab. In the “Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)” dropdown menu, click on Edit SMTP Server List. Select the Alice server and ensure the Host Name is smtp.tim.it and the Port is 587. Check the “Use TLS/SSL” box (if present) or ensure connection settings are correct, and set Authentication to “Password”, entering your credentials. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, select your account, then click on the account again and finally on SMTP to access the same settings. For Mac users, our guide to configuring Alice Mail on Mac can offer further details.
Even with the correct parameters, unexpected issues can sometimes arise. A common error is typing the password incorrectly. Remember that the password required for SMTP authentication is the same one you use to access your mailbox via webmail. If you have changed it recently, you must update it in the client settings as well. If you have forgotten your access code, our guide on how to recover your Alice password can help you.
Another potential obstacle could be your computer’s antivirus software or firewall. Some particularly aggressive security programs may block communication on port 587, erroneously interpreting it as a threat. Try temporarily disabling the firewall or antivirus to verify if the sending works. If it does, you will need to add a specific exception for your email client in the security software settings, allowing traffic on the SMTP port.
Finally, ensure your email client is updated to the latest available version. Obsolete versions might not support newer encryption protocols like STARTTLS, causing connection problems with the server. Updated software not only guarantees better compatibility but also offers better protection against security vulnerabilities, a crucial aspect for protecting your online communications.
Before starting, make sure you have your full email address (e.g., name@alice.it) and access password handy. These data will be needed to authenticate outgoing mail.
Open your email program (Outlook, Thunderbird, or Mail), go to account settings, and locate the section dedicated to the Outgoing Mail Server, indicated as SMTP.
In the field dedicated to the server name (or Host), delete any previous data and enter the address 'smtp.tim.it'. This parameter is valid for both Alice and TIM addresses.
Set the port number to 587. Under the connection security or encryption method entry, select the option 'STARTTLS' (or TLS if the first is not available).
Check the box 'Server requires authentication'. Enter your full email address as the username and your password. This step is fundamental to avoid blocks.
Save the new settings and try sending a test email. If sending fails, check that the firewall or antivirus are not blocking port 587 and try again.
In a digital world where flexibility is fundamental, the inability to send emails from your historic Alice/TIM address due to a change of operator can seem like an insurmountable obstacle. However, as we have seen, the solution is within everyone’s reach and lies in a correct configuration of the SMTP server. By using the parameters smtp.tim.it, port 587, and, above all, enabling password authentication, you overcome the block imposed by the network, guaranteeing message delivery from any internet connection, in Italy and abroad.
This procedure is not a simple technical “trick,” but the adoption of a modern security standard that frees the user from the connectivity provider, combining the tradition of a cherished email address with the innovation and freedom of the market. By following the instructions provided, anyone can restore full functionality to their email account, keeping their digital habits alive in a continuously evolving technological context.
Ultimately, knowing these simple parameters gives you back full control of your mailbox, a small but significant step for a simpler and uninterrupted online experience.
TIM, for security reasons and to prevent spam, limits the use of its standard outgoing mail server (SMTP) to customers connected to its network only. If you use another operator (e.g., Vodafone, Fastweb, WindTre), you must configure your email client (Outlook, Thunderbird, Mail) with specific parameters that require authentication.
To send emails from a non-TIM network, you must use the following parameters: SMTP Server: smtp.tim.it; Port: 587; Encryption: STARTTLS (or TLS, if the first option is not available); Authentication: Yes, required. As username and password, you must enter your full Alice email address (e.g., name@alice.it) and the corresponding password.
It means you must prove to the server that you are the legitimate owner of the account. In your email program’s settings, in the section dedicated to the outgoing server (SMTP), you must check the box ‘Require authentication’ or ‘Server requires authentication’ and ensure it uses the same credentials (full email address and password) as the incoming mail.
The correct port to use is 587. Port 25 is obsolete and often blocked by operators. Port 465 is associated with SSL encryption, but the most modern configuration recommended by TIM for maximum compatibility is port 587 with STARTTLS encryption.
If the problem persists, carefully check that you have typed the correct password and that the username is your full email address. Also, verify that your antivirus or firewall is not blocking the connection on port 587. If it still doesn’t work, there might be a temporary issue on TIM servers or a specific block on your account; in that case, it is advisable to contact TIM customer support.