Getting a “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error when opening the Mail app on your iPhone 11? That usually means your phone doesn’t trust the email server it’s trying to connect to. Whether the certificate is expired, mismatched, or unrecognized, this issue can block you from sending or receiving emails.
Here’s how to troubleshoot and get Mail working again on your iPhone 11.
1. Force Close Mail App and Restart Your iPhone
Temporary glitches in the Mail app or background processes can trigger errors like this.
Steps to force close Mail:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- Swipe left or right to find Mail.
- Swipe up on the Mail preview to close it.
Then reboot your iPhone:
- Hold the Side button and Volume Up until the power slider appears.
- Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button to turn it back on.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular and try launching Mail again.
2. Delete and Re-Add Your Email Account
Sometimes corrupted account settings or credentials can cause verification errors.
To delete your account:
- Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts.
- Tap your email account, then scroll down and tap Delete Account.
- Confirm by tapping Delete from My iPhone.
To add it back:
- Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account.
- Choose your provider (or tap Other if manual setup).
- Enter your login details and follow the prompts.
- Tap Save, then restart your iPhone.
3. Update Carrier Settings
If your email relies on mobile data and the carrier settings are outdated, connection issues can occur.
To check for an update:
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Wait for 10–15 seconds. If an update is available, you’ll see a pop-up—tap Update.
4. Install the Latest iOS Update
Apple often fixes Mail bugs in iOS updates, especially after major releases.
To check for updates:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, download and install it.
- Make sure your battery is at least 50% and you’re on Wi-Fi.
5. Reset All Settings
If the issue is tied to conflicting or corrupted system settings, resetting them can help.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
This won’t delete your data, but it will reset Wi-Fi passwords, VPNs, and other system preferences.
6. Factory Reset Your iPhone (Last Resort)
Only do this if nothing else worked—and remember to back up your data first.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
- After the reset, set your iPhone up as new and re-add your email account.
Still Getting the Error?
If you still can’t verify the server identity, the problem may be with your email provider’s SSL certificate or configuration. You can:
- Contact your email provider to confirm server settings.
- Try using a third-party email app like Gmail, Outlook, or Spark.
- Reach out to Apple Support if Mail works with other accounts but not yours.