How to Add Internet Accounts on Mac: Managing Through Apps and System Settings

When adding internet accounts on your Mac, first ensure that you have created an account on the provider's website. If your account is ready, you can add it through the app you intend to use or directly in the internet accounts section of system settings. In the internet accounts settings, you can add accounts and manage their configurations. If you set up iCloud with your Apple ID, it will also appear in the internet accounts settings, allowing you to change the account settings from either the iCloud settings or the internet accounts settings. Accounts added through the Mail, Calendar, or Contacts apps will also be displayed in the internet accounts settings.

Conditions to Check Before Adding

Before adding an account in the internet accounts settings, you must create the account on the provider's website. Therefore, do not assume that the account creation and addition will be handled simultaneously on your Mac; first, verify that you have an account ready. You should also prepare your account name, password, and any other necessary information. If you lack account information or are unsure what to enter, do not input random data; instead, contact the account provider for assistance.

If you are setting up iCloud for the first time, you should follow a different procedure than the standard internet account addition process. Refer to the guide on 'Managing Your Apple Account Settings.' By setting up iCloud through your Apple account settings, that account will appear in the internet accounts settings, so it does not need to be handled like a standard provider account from the start.

Adding Internet Accounts Through Apps

In apps like Calendar, Contacts, or Mail, where you can add accounts directly, you start the process from the app's menu. Accounts added through the app will also appear in the internet accounts settings, so even if you add an account in the app, you can later verify it in the internet accounts settings.

Open the relevant app on the Mac where you want to use the account.
Click the app name in the top menu bar, then select 'Add Account.' In the Mail app, choose 'Mail > Add Account.'
Select the account provider, then click 'Continue.'
If the provider is not listed, such as a company or school email or calendar account, select 'Other [Type of] Account' and click 'Continue.'
Enter the required account name, password, and any other necessary information as prompted on the screen. If you do not have the account information, contact the account provider.
If you are adding an account that will be used across multiple apps, a dialog box will appear allowing you to select the apps you want to use with that account. Choose the apps you want to use together.

💡 Editor's Practical Tip: The Result is the Same Regardless of the Path Taken Whether you add the account through the Mail, Calendar, or Contacts apps, or through System Settings > Internet Accounts, the accounts will be consolidated in the internet accounts settings. If you are adding an account that will be used across multiple apps, it is advisable to add it through system settings, as you can select the apps you want to use with the account all at once in the dialog box that appears after adding the account.

Adding Directly in Internet Accounts Settings

You can also add accounts directly in the internet accounts section of system settings without using an app. In this route, you must still create the account on the provider's website before adding it. Depending on whether the provider is listed or not, and what type of account and information you need to enter, your next steps will vary.

Go to the 'System Settings' app on your Mac.
Click on 'Internet Accounts' in the sidebar. If you do not see the item immediately, scroll down in the sidebar.
Click 'Add Account,' then enter your email address or click 'Select from List' to choose the name of the account provider.
If the provider is not listed, such as a company or school email or calendar account, click 'Add Other Account' and select the type of account you want to add.
Enter the account name, password, and any other necessary information. If you are unsure about the account type or information, contact the account provider.
If the account will be used across multiple apps, a dialog box will appear allowing you to select the apps you want to use with that account. Choose the apps you want to use together.

⚠️ Important Note: Use a Separate Path for Initial iCloud Setup When setting up iCloud for the first time, proceed through the iCloud settings in Apple account settings rather than through 'Add Account' in internet accounts. Additionally, if your account name or password is unclear, entering random data may lock your account or result in repeated authentication errors, so be sure to contact the provider to confirm the correct information before entering it.

Where to Find iCloud and Accounts Added Through Apps

If you set up iCloud using your Apple account settings, it will also appear in the internet accounts settings. You can change the settings for that account from either the iCloud settings or the internet accounts settings. However, if you are setting up and using iCloud for the first time, refer to the guide on 'Managing Your Apple Account Settings.'

Accounts added through apps will also appear in the internet accounts settings. Therefore, after adding an account in Mail or another relevant app, you can check if the same account is displayed in the internet accounts settings. If the account is not listed or if the account type and information are unclear, do not proceed with random selections and entries; instead, contact the provider for assistance.

Starting Location	When the Provider is Not Listed	Next Confirmation
Account addition in the relevant app like Mail	Select 'Other Type of Account' and proceed	Enter the necessary account information required by the app and select the apps to use
Internet accounts in system settings	Select the type in 'Add Other Account'	Confirm the type and information with the provider, then enter the required items

When You Have Difficulty Selecting in the Addition Screen

If the account provider is listed, select that provider and click 'Continue.'
If it is a company or school email or calendar account not listed, select 'Other [Type of] Account' in the app, or 'Add Other Account' in internet accounts settings, then specify the account type.
If you do not have the account name, password, or other necessary information, contact the account provider.
If it is an account that can be used across multiple apps, select the apps to use in the dialog box that appears during account addition.

📌 Editor's 3-Line Key Summary

Before adding, create the account on the provider's website and prepare the account information (name, password, etc.)
Both the app menu's 'Add Account' and System Settings > Internet Accounts > 'Add Account' are valid paths
For providers not listed, choose 'Add Other Account,' and for the first iCloud setup, proceed through Apple account settings

Using Internet Accounts on Mac - Apple Support (KR)

While managing accounts, deleting or disabling individual features may result in the loss of data stored in the app. If you are unsure whether the data can be restored when re-adding or enabling features, please contact the account provider first. It is essential to distinguish between the procedures for adding a new account and deleting an existing account.