Connect Apple Mail (iCloud)

Blockjay connects to your iCloud mailbox over IMAP to filter spam. Apple does not offer a one-tap sign-in for third-party apps, so you create a one-off app-specific password — it works only with Blockjay, you can revoke it any time, and your normal Apple Account password is never shared. The whole thing takes about two minutes.

What you’ll need

An Apple Account with two-factor authentication turned on. App-specific passwords aren’t available without it.

Before you start: two-factor authentication

Most people already have two-factor authentication on. To check, sign in at account.apple.com and open Sign-In and Security. If two-factor authentication is off, turn it on first — then come back here.

Don’t use your normal password

Your everyday Apple Account password will be rejected by mail apps. You must create an app-specific password using the steps below.

Open your Apple Account

Go to account.apple.com and sign in. Open Sign-In and Security.

Apple Account Sign-In and Security page with the App-Specific Passwords card — account.apple.com → Sign-In and Security (personal details blurred)

Open App-Specific Passwords

Select App-Specific Passwords, then choose the option to generate a new password (the “+” button).

The App-Specific Passwords panel with the + button to add one — The App-Specific Passwords panel — select the + to create one

Name it “Blockjay”

Give the password a name you’ll recognise later — Blockjay — and confirm. Apple may ask for your Apple Account password to continue.

Generate App-Specific Password dialog with the name Blockjay — Name the password so you’ll recognise it, then Create

Copy the password Apple shows you

Apple shows a password that looks like abcd-efgh-ijkl-mnop. Copy it exactly — the dashes are fine to include. Keep the tab open in case you need it again.

You can’t see it again

Apple only shows an app-specific password once. If you lose it, just create another and revoke the old one — it costs nothing.

Apple showing the generated app-specific password (blurred) — Apple shows the password once — copy it (yours is blurred here)

Paste it into Blockjay

In Blockjay, start connecting your mailbox, enter your iCloud address, and when prompted paste the app-specific password. Blockjay checks the connection straight away, so you’ll know immediately that it worked. New mailboxes start in monitor mode — Blockjay sorts spam without removing anything until you switch to enforce.

Connect your iCloud mailbox →

Screenshot: The Blockjay connect step with the app password pasted in

The Blockjay connect step with the app password pasted in

Troubleshooting

“That sign-in was rejected.” You almost certainly entered your normal Apple Account password. Create an app-specific password (steps above) and paste that instead.

Scanning stopped after a while. App-specific passwords can be revoked from your Apple Account, which pauses Blockjay. Create a new one, then in Blockjay open Settings → Connected mailboxes and choose Reconnect to paste it in — no need to remove the mailbox.

Frequently asked

Is this safe? Yes. An app-specific password only grants mail access to Blockjay and can be revoked at any time from your Apple Account. Blockjay stores it encrypted and never your normal Apple password.

Will Blockjay delete my mail? No. Blockjay only sorts mail — spam moves to a quarantine you control, and nothing is ever deleted by the system. You decide what to remove.

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