The operation couldn’t be completed. (com.apple.accounts error 3.)

Ralf 30

unable to add exchange account to the mail app on osx

Carl Murphy 5 Reputation points

2025-12-10T19:34:43.68+00:00

I have the same issue for the past two days and not able to add the account back.

The operation couldn’t be completed. (com.apple.accounts error 3.)
Matt Turner 0 Reputation points

2025-12-11T15:21:18+00:00

I'm getting this error once the account authenticates but Mac OS Mail still cannot connect. Removed the account and attempted to add it back to no avail. Outlook for Mac still working. It started a couple days ago when Mac mail said "account offline."
Hin-V 10,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-12T07:50:04.28+00:00

Hello everyone,

Thanks for sharing your concerns. To help us provide support more efficiently, please:Create a new thread on the forum describing your issue in detail.

Include your Outlook for Mac version and specify which license you are using.

This information will make it easier for our team to provide the appropriate support for your case.

Warm thanks.

16 answers

Ralf 30 Reputation points

2025-11-21T08:49:52.8033333+00:00

In my case it looks like it has something to do with the license.

The user who had the problems used a f3 license. I added an exchange license to it and now I'm able to setup the mail account in apple mail.

and yesterday another user told he had problems using apple mail. I also added a exchange license to the user, but he has not yet confirmed if the problem is solved now.

But I think think microsoft changed something on the license.

When checking in the azure admin portal I can also see that imap is disabled for f3. For exchange licenses it's enabled. So I'm not sure if this was the same before the problems arised.
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Ralf 30 Reputation points

2025-11-21T09:28:39.9866667+00:00

The second user also confirmed that he can use his mail account in apple mail. So it's clear it has something to do with the licenses.

Hin-V 10,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-21T10:28:49.25+00:00

Hi @Ralf

Thank you for your responding.

Based on my research, F3 licenses do not support desktop client applications, access is limited to Outlook Web App (OWA) and mobile apps. Therefore, when you switch to a license that includes access to desktop client apps will enable you to connect and configure your account.

You could refer via: Link

I hope this resolves your concern.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

KenV 0 Reputation points

2025-11-21T14:24:56.6866667+00:00

Here, it just started working again since today (Nov 21st)

Until yesterday evening, no luck, but now, on both my Sequoia and Tahoe macOS computers, I suddenly was able to add my Microsoft Exchange account again (and select Mail, Calendar, Notes etc for sync)

No settings were changed on my account, so I can only assume something changed on Microsoft's end..

Reddy, Manoj 0 Reputation points

2025-11-23T13:28:36.6766667+00:00

I'm still having the same issue. how would one change to an "f3 license" i'm an employee at a healthcare company and it was previously working fine.
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Ralf 30 Reputation points

2025-11-21T13:29:23.84+00:00

As you explain it this way it looks logical. But I don't understand why it worked for a long time and caused troubles since a few days. What changed?
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Hin-V 10,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-24T09:08:46.2266667+00:00

Hi @Ralf

Sorry for my delayed response.

Apologies for the earlier information. After conducting thorough research and testing, I’ve determined that this issue is unlikely to be related to F3 licenses or the Mail app on Mac. The term “desktop client applications” refers specifically to Microsoft 365 products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access (PC only), and Publisher (PC only).

Additionally, I’ve identified that this issue may be connected to a known incident (ID: EX1188132) currently being addressed by Microsoft: Some users may intermittently be unable to access their Exchange Online mailboxes using any connection method.

This explains why some of your users’ accounts might be affected. Your approach of triggering the license refresh could help re-establish the connection.

For your reference: Service health - Microsoft 365 admin center

Note: To access this link, you must have admin roles such as Global Admin, if you are a normal user, you can ask your IT admin to check it for you.

Appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you need any clarification or further help, feel free to reach out.

Hin-V 10,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-25T14:44:53.32+00:00

Hi @Ralf

I hope the provided information were able to fully addressed your concern.

In case you require further assistance regarding this topic, feel free to reach out.

We more than happy to assist.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Pryhoda, Maksym 10 Reputation points

2025-11-26T09:34:11.2866667+00:00

Hi, , great thank you, from the screenshot you provided they should have already fixed that issue by Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM GMT+7.
Thanks for providing helpful info and keeping in touch.
I just tried adding account, and it worked, now it's syncing all the data, thanks!

Jorge 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T09:54:06.6033333+00:00

Same here
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Igor Fedorov 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T17:40:08.9933333+00:00

Today, my Exchange Account stopped working in the Mail app on macOS 26.1 (25B78). I have tried to re-add it, but I am getting an error after successfully completing two-factor authentication. The web and iPhone clients work as usual. Please advise.
The operation couldn’t be completed. (com.apple.accounts error 3.)
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Sebastian Riethmüller 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T18:55:48.6633333+00:00
I am experiencing the same issue for the past four days. I am running macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, and the built-in Mail app can no longer add my Exchange account after completing two-factor authentication.

The error shown is:

“The operation couldn’t be completed. (com.apple.accounts error 3.)”

Important to note: I am using a Microsoft 365 F3 license, and this setup has always worked without any issues until now. Outlook on the web and on my iPhone still work normally — only the macOS Mail app is affected.

Things I already tried:

Removing and re-adding the account

Restarting the Mac

Resetting Mail- and Account-related system settings

Since the failure occurs only on macOS Mail, it appears to be an issue with the latest macOS build and Exchange authentication.

Any assistance or official statement would be appreciated.

Thanks!
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TOIRMR 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T20:35:23.17+00:00

Same issue here, would be great to get a fix for this ASAP

thx!
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