What Has Happened to BT Mail

BT Mail, the email service provided by BT Group, has undergone several significant changes in recent years. These updates aim to enhance security, improve user experience, and adapt to evolving technological standards. However, these changes have also led to some confusion and challenges for users.

Discontinuation of Email Service for New Customers

As of October 26, 2022, BT stopped offering email addresses to new customers or existing customers who had not previously set up an email address. This decision was part of BT's strategy to streamline its services and focus on core offerings. Existing BT email customers were not immediately affected but were encouraged to consider alternative email solutions.

Changes to Login Procedures

In 2023, BT updated its login process for BT Mail. Previously, users could log in using their BT ID credentials. The new system requires users to log in directly at BT’s email portal using their email address and password. This change was implemented to enhance security by separating email access from BT ID credentials.

Updates to Email Features

BT Mail has introduced several updates to improve functionality and user experience. The search feature is now consistently located across all BT Mail tabs, providing a more uniform user experience. Emails are grouped by day for the past seven days, making it easier to locate messages. Features like quick move and message body preview have been added to streamline email management. Hovering over a sender's name displays their email address, aiding in identifying the source of emails. Printing emails is not supported on mobile and tablet versions of BT Mail; users are advised to use a desktop computer or the BT Email App for this feature.

Impact of Broadband Service Termination

If a user cancels their BT Broadband service, their email service is affected in several ways. Users can downgrade to Basic Email, which offers limited features. For a monthly fee, users can maintain their email service with full features. Alternatively, users can link their email to a friend or family member's BT Broadband account to retain full features at no additional cost. If no action is taken, users are automatically transferred to Basic Email. After 60 days without upgrading to the premium service, all email addresses linked to the BT ID will be deleted, and data cannot be recovered.

Discontinuation of Basic Authentication

BT has phased out support for email clients using Basic Authentication, a method previously used by applications like Outlook and Thunderbird. This change was due to Microsoft’s decision to disable Basic Authentication. Users are now required to use more secure authentication methods to access their BT Mail accounts through third-party email clients.

Conclusion

BT Mail has evolved to meet modern security standards and user expectations. While these changes have introduced new procedures and limitations, they are designed to provide a more secure and efficient email service. Users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these updates to ensure continued access to their email accounts and to consider alternative email solutions if necessary.