What Does “Cannot Verify Server Identity” Error Mean on iPhone
If you see a pop-up alert on your iPhone saying “cannot verify server identity” error, the identity of “imap.gmail.com” cannot be verified, which means that the mail server certificate can’t be validated by a trusted authority. It is usually caused by a mail app. It basically occurs due to strict verification of your mail server certificate on iOS devices.
This iPhone error usually denotes the conflict between SSL Certificates on the server and your device’s server settings. You should use advanced HTTPS protection instead of HTTP for a secure web connection. The security is confirmed through SSL (Secured Socket Layer).
This iOS error prompt comes with two or three action buttons such as Details, Cancel or Continue. If you can tap on Details, you will get access to more information about why the server isn’t validated and if you tap Cancel, the popup will be closed without solving the issue. In some cases there is also a Continue button, in this case, it allows you to close the prompt and continue using your Mail account without any interruption.
When This “Cannot Verify Server Identity” Error Basically Occurs
This error of ‘Cannot Verify Server Identity imap.gmail’ basically occurs after the mail server’s certificate has changed by switching to a new issuer or expired or while a new account is being set up on an iOS device or after an account migration. The error also appears on popular mail servers like Gmail, outlook, yahoo mail, AOL, QQ mail, 1 and 1 webmail, and many more.
It may be a Bug in iPhone, iPad, or other iOS devices that uses a severe verification process of your mail server certificates.
Solution for Cannot Verify Server Identity iPhone
Here are the Simple 5 steps to fix the cannot verify server identity error on iPhone.
- Restart iPhone
- Remove Email Account and Add Again
- Disable SSL
- Reset Network Settings
- Update iOS and Carrier Settings
1. Restart iPhone
If you receive an alert saying that your iPhone “cannot verify server identity”, the simple and basic solution is to restart your iPhone. This simple step can resolve a minor software glitch that could be causing this error. After restarting the iOS device, open the Mail app and check if the issue again occurs or not.
2. Remove Email Account and Add Again
Removing and adding the email account that helps to reset the identity certificates of your email server.
To delete/remove an email account on your iPhone, Tap Settings → Tap Accounts & Passwords → Select the email account you want to delete → Tap the Delete Account Button to confirm to remove it from your iPhone account.
To add an Email account on your iPhone, Choose Add Account option → to select the mail service provider → to enter your email address & passwords → Now the deleted mail account is added.
3. Disable SSL
Open Settings → Select Passwords & Accounts → Tap Mail app → Tap on the Account → Go to Advanced Settings → Now disable the use SSL feature.
4. Reset Network Settings
If you can’t track this issue, reset your iPhone network settings which help to fix this imap gmail com cannot be verified. A reset will restore the default values.
To Reset all settings, Open Settings → Tap General → Reset iPhone → Reset all settings.
Now the confirmation alerts show at the bottom of your mobile display.
5. Update iOS and Carrier Settings
Update OS may also be the key to rectifying the “cannot verify server identity” error if it’s inflicted by iOS bugs. If your iPhone has no problem with the Internet connection, then you can check for OS updates. To check for iOS updates, go to Settings-> General-> Software Update menu. If a new version is available, follow the instructions and update it.
Installing carrier updates can also help to fix this cannot verify server identity iPhone problem especially if there is an error in the network.
Hope this will resolve the cannot verify server identity imap.gmail iPhone issue whether you use iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 and even the latest version of iOS 14 and iOS 15.1 too.
If you still can’t fix this, cannot verify server identity error in Gmail issue on an ios device, do a factory reset your mobile, or please post your query on discussions.apple.com. You will get a solution from experts and also whoever faced this problem and fixed this.
Related Articles
How To Set Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad
How To Signup Kik Messenger App on iPhone and Android Mobiles