KAUST email includes access to mail, calendar, directory, and contacts. Depending on your role, your email is provided through either Outlook or Gmail.
Your username is not your email. When a KAUST page asks who you are, sign in with your username followed by @kaust.edu.sa (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa), not your email address (omar.alharbi@kaust.edu.sa). Starting with the username saves you a rejected attempt.
Set it up
Answer a couple of quick questions and we will show you the exact steps. Use Back to change an answer, or tap a stage to jump.
Step 1
What is your role?
We will use this to find your email system.
Step 1
Which system is your email on?
Faculty accounts can run on either one.
Not sure? Try Outlook first. If your account is not recognized there, come back and try Gmail.
Step 2
Where do you want to use your email?
Alumni
Which alumni email address do you have?
Alumni email is moving from Gmail to Microsoft 365. Your address tells you which steps to follow.
Not sure? During the move, addresses change from @kaust.edu.sa to @alumni.kaust.edu.sa. Try the alumni address first. Still unsure? Contact IT and mention you are a KAUST alumna or alumnus.
Phone or tablet
What kind of phone or tablet?
Outlook | iPhone or iPad
Which app do you want to use?
Outlook | Android
Which app do you want to use?
Gmail | iPhone or iPad
Which app do you want to use?
Computer
Windows or macOS?
Outlook | Computer
Is this a KAUST IT-managed computer or your own?
Outlook | Personal | Windows
Which app do you want to use?
Outlook | Personal | macOS
Which app do you want to use?
Gmail | Windows
How do you want to use your email?
Gmail | macOS
How do you want to use your email?
Outlook
In your browser
Outlook | Web
Outlook in your browser
The fastest way in. Nothing to install, and it works on any computer, phone, or tablet.
On the KAUST sign-in page, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and your password.
If you see a Duo prompt, approve it on your phone.
You are in. Bookmark the page so you are one click away next time.
On iPhone or iPad
Gmail | iPhone or iPad | Gmail app
Set up the Gmail app
Open the App Store, search for Gmail, and install it.
Open the app and tap your profile picture in the top right.
Tap Add another account, then choose Google.
Enter your full KAUST email address.
On the KAUST sign-in page, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and password, and approve the Duo prompt if you see one.
Switch between accounts any time from that same profile menu.
Gmail | iPhone or iPad | Apple Mail
Set up Apple Mail
Open Settings, tap Mail, then Accounts, then Add Account.
Choose Google and enter your full KAUST email address.
On the KAUST sign-in page, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and password, and approve the Duo prompt if you see one.
Keep Mail, Contacts, and Calendars turned on, then tap Save.
On Android
Gmail | Android
Add your KAUST account to Gmail
The Gmail app is already your phone's mail app. You just add your KAUST account.
Open Gmail and tap your profile picture in the top right.
Tap Add another account, then choose Google.
Enter your full KAUST email address.
On the KAUST sign-in page, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and password.
If you see a Duo prompt, approve it on your phone.
Switch between accounts any time from that same profile menu.
On a computer
Gmail | macOS | Apple Mail
Set up Apple Mail
Open Mail, then the Mail menu, then Add Account.
Choose Google and click Open Browser to sign in.
Enter your full KAUST email address. On the KAUST sign-in page, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and password, and approve the Duo prompt if you see one.
Keep Mail, Contacts, and Calendars turned on, then click Done.
Alumni
Microsoft 365
Alumni | Microsoft 365
Access your @alumni.kaust.edu.sa email
You sign in with your full alumni email address. As an alumna or alumnus, you sign in directly and do not need Duo.
Most people should use the apps above. If you prefer something else, Thunderbird is a popular free choice. Any app that supports standard mail settings will work with these values. Choose OAuth2 as the sign-in method when the app asks, and sign in with your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa).
Outlook (Microsoft) accounts
Setting
Incoming (IMAP)
Outgoing (SMTP)
Server
outlook.office365.com
smtp.office365.com
Port
993
587
Security
SSL/TLS
STARTTLS
Sign-in
OAuth2 (your KAUST account)
OAuth2 (your KAUST account)
Gmail (Google) accounts
Setting
Incoming (IMAP)
Outgoing (SMTP)
Server
imap.gmail.com
smtp.gmail.com
Port
993
465
Security
SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS
Sign-in
OAuth2 (your KAUST account)
OAuth2 (your KAUST account)
Thunderbird tip. Enter your full KAUST email address and let Thunderbird find these settings for you. When it opens a KAUST sign-in window, enter your username (like alharbio@kaust.edu.sa) and password, and approve the Duo prompt if you see one.
Your account may be using older sign-in settings. Remove the KAUST account from your mail app, then add it again using the steps above. The new sign-in fixes this.
My username or password is not accepted
On the KAUST sign-in page, sign in with your username, not your email address. Your username is short, like alharbio, and the easiest way to enter it is alharbio@kaust.edu.sa. Your email address (omar.alharbi@kaust.edu.sa) and the KAUST\username format will not work there. Forgot your password? Reset it here.
I am off campus and never got a Duo prompt
Open the Duo Mobile app on your phone and use the passcode it shows, or send yourself a push from the app. No Duo yet? Set up Duo.
A file I sent or received was blocked
For safety, some file types are blocked on both Outlook and Gmail, including programs and scripts (like .exe and .js) and some macro-enabled files, even inside a .zip. Share those through OneDrive or Google Drive instead. Learn more: macros at KAUST and blocked attachments in Gmail.
An email I was expecting never arrived
It may have been held for safety. Outlook sends a quarantine digest from KAUST Email Management with a link to review and release messages. See email protection in Outlook.
