Using imaplib to access emails in a outlook inbox

Question

Hi!

I'm trying to retrieve some attachments from my inbox using imaplib with Python to automate the process, but it's not working. I read somewhere that after the deprecation of Basic Authentication, it is no longer possible to access an email inbox using imaplib, and that it can only be done via Microsoft Graph. I wasn't able to find anything about this on the Microsoft forum. Is that true?

Thanks in advance,

Answer 1

Hi @Wesley Oliveira

Yes. Microsoft has deprecated Basic Authentication for Exchange Online, which includes IMAP, POP, and SMTP protocols. This change took effect on December 31, 2022, and Basic Authentication is no longer supported for accessing email inboxes.

To access your Outlook inbox using Python, you'll need to use Microsoft Graph API with OAuth 2.0 for authentication. Microsoft Graph provides a more secure and modern way to interact with your email data. More information, see: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-basic-authentication-exchange-online.

By the way, the Outlook tab focuses on solving problems with the Outlook desktop client. If you have any questions about Graph, please consider getting more professional advice under this Microsoft Graph tab.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

 

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