Tencent Mail (@qq.com / @foxmail.com) · Authorization Code
Tencent Mail (@qq.com / @foxmail.com) = one of the largest user bases in China. Binding to Laifaxin requires 2 mandatory steps:
| Step | Content | Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Enable IMAP/SMTP in web | Disabled by default — manually enable in web Settings → Account | ✅ Required |
| 2️⃣ SMS-verify to generate 16-digit authorization code | For Laifaxin (NOT QQ login password) | ✅ Required |
→ Fill the password field with the 16-digit authorization code (NOT your QQ login password), otherwise it fails 100% of the time.
Tencent Mail mandates third-party clients to use authorization codes — binding with your QQ password directly will return 535 Authentication failed.
Authorization code = 16-digit standalone password, far more secure than the QQ main password (leak doesn't affect QQ main account).
1. Server Parameters
| Type | Server Address | SSL Port |
|---|---|---|
| 📥 IMAP (Receive) | imap.qq.com | 993 |
| 📤 SMTP (Send) | smtp.qq.com | 465 |
Encryption: SSL / TLS
Foxmail mailbox (@foxmail.com) is QQ Mail's "alias" — share the same backend:
- Server parameters identical
- Authorization code flow identical
- One QQ account has both
@qq.comand@foxmail.comaddresses
2. Get the 16-Digit Authorization Code
1. Go to Web Settings → Account
Log into QQ Mail web → top Settings → switch to Account tab:
2. Enable IMAP/SMTP Service
Scroll down to find POP3/IMAP/SMTP/Exchange/CardDAV/CalDAV Service → click Enable button:
3. Complete Security Verification
Tencent requires SMS verification to enable the service. Following the prompt, use your bound phone number to send the specified SMS:
After sending, click I've sent:
Some accounts also need WeChat scan-code secondary verification:
4. Get and Copy the 16-Digit Authorization Code
After verification, the system generates a 16-digit authorization code → click Copy to save immediately:
Authorization code is shown only once — once you close the popup, you can never see it again. Immediately copy and save to a password manager (1Password / Bitwarden).
If lost, you can only regenerate a new authorization code on the settings page.
3. Bind in Laifaxin
Go to Laifaxin Email Account and add QQ / Foxmail mailbox:
| Field | Fill With |
|---|---|
| Email address | your@qq.com or your@foxmail.com |
| Password | ⚠️ Paste the 16-digit authorization code (NOT QQ login password!) |
| IMAP server | imap.qq.com · port 993 · SSL |
| SMTP server | smtp.qq.com · port 465 · SSL |
After binding succeeds, status shows Normal:
After binding, enable email sync + notifications (see Check New Emails).
📋 Pit-Avoidance Summary
| Pit | Consequence | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Bind with QQ login password | 535 Authentication failed | Must use 16-digit authorization code (generated in web settings) |
| 🔴 IMAP/SMTP service not enabled | Binding fails (disabled by default) | First enable service in Settings → Account before binding |
| 🔴 SMS verification fails | Can't enable service | Use bound phone number + content exactly as prompted (case-sensitive) |
| 🔴 Forget to copy the generated authorization code | Closed popup, can never see again | Immediately copy to password manager |
| 🟡 Bulk-send via QQ Mail | Risk-controlled / throttled within 24h | Personal mailboxes are for 1-on-1 only; for bulk, use a Quality Channel |
| 🟡 Changed QQ password / disabled IMAP/SMTP | Laifaxin uses old code, send fails | Regenerate authorization code, then re-sync in Laifaxin |
| 🟡 Multiple clients share same authorization code | Hard to invalidate individually | Generate one per client |
❓ FAQ
Q1 · What is "authorization code"? Why can't I use my QQ password?
Authorization code = Tencent Mail's dedicated 16-digit password for third-party clients.
| Dimension | 🔓 QQ Main Password | 🔑 Authorization Code |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Log into QQ / QQ Mail web | For third-party clients |
| Quantity | 1 | Can generate multiple |
| Invalidation control | Change = all apps disconnected + QQ also changes | Can invalidate alone, QQ main account unaffected |
| Leak risk | Main account at risk | Only that app affected |
| Tencent policy | ❌ Not allowed for third-party clients | ✅ Mandatory |
→ Safer + compliant, mandatory requirement.
Q2 · I previously enabled IMAP — do I need to re-fetch the authorization code?
Depends on whether you remember the old one:
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| ✅ Remember the authorization code | Reuse directly, no need to regenerate |
| ❌ Forgot the authorization code | Go to Settings → Account, disable then re-enable service → generate new code |
| ⚠️ Suspect leak | Same as above — regenerate new code (old one auto-invalidates) |
Q3 · Are @qq.com and @foxmail.com configuration flows the same?
✅ Exactly the same. Foxmail is QQ Mail's "alias":
- Same QQ account
- Same backend + servers (
imap.qq.com/smtp.qq.com) - Same set of authorization codes (generate once, both mailboxes use it)
- Same security policy
Only difference: email suffix (@qq.com vs @foxmail.com).
Q4 · How many emails can QQ Mail send per day?
QQ Mail doesn't officially disclose its cap, but we strongly discourage heavy sending:
| Stage | Daily Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🐣 Week 1 (newly bound) | Start at 50 | 5-10 min between sends, avoid risk control |
| 🐤 Weeks 2-4 | 100-200 | Watch for anomalies |
| 🦅 Stable phase | Max 300 | Don't max out |
→ Never "bulk send" at any stage! Bulk = 100% triggers risk control — QQ Mail's risk control is especially strict.
For real bulk sending, use a Quality Channel:
- ✅ Doesn't bind your QQ Mail, no risk of suspension
- ✅ ¥0.007 per email, system auto-throttles + random template variations
Q5 · Do I need a VPN to send/receive QQ Mail?
❌ No. QQ Mail is a domestic service — stable and fast access from China.
Q6 · Is QQ Mail suitable for foreign-trade development?
| Scenario | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🤝 1-on-1 customer follow-up | ❌ Not recommended | Overseas customers trust @qq.com extremely low (numeric mailboxes look spammy) |
| 📩 Inquiry replies | ⚠️ Low | Same as above, but impact smaller when replying |
| 🚀 Bulk cold emails | ❌ Not suitable | Overseas mail providers often flag @qq.com as spam directly |
| 📧 Multi-round auto follow-up | ❌ Not suitable | Use Smart Follow-up Plan + Quality Channel |
Foreign-trade verdict: QQ Mail is OK for domestic trade; for foreign trade, must use Gmail / Outlook / own-domain business mailbox.
Q7 · Lost authorization code / want to rotate — what now?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Go to QQ Mail web Settings → Account |
| 2️⃣ | Find the IMAP/SMTP service area → Disable service |
| 3️⃣ | Re-enable service → SMS-verify → generate new authorization code |
| 4️⃣ | In Laifaxin Email Account update password + verify save |
⚠️ Note: Disabling service invalidates all clients immediately — you'll need to rebind everywhere after re-enabling.
💡 Learning Tips
| Stage | Tip |
|---|---|
| 🔑 One authorization code per client | 1 for Laifaxin, 1 for Foxmail, 1 for Thunderbird — for precise invalidation |
| 🔐 Safeguard the authorization code | Use a password manager (1Password / Bitwarden); if lost, only regeneration works |
| 📋 Regular audit | Quarterly check QQ Mail Account → enabled clients, disable unused ones |
| 🚫 Never share the authorization code | Authorization code security level equals password |
| ⚙️ Pair with Laifaxin features | Once bound, play with Email Tracking / Templates / Smart Follow-up |
| 🚀 Bulk-send via Quality Channel | QQ Mail risk control is strict — for bulk always use Quality Channel |
| 🌍 Use enterprise mailbox for foreign trade | QQ Mail not suitable for foreign trade — use own-domain business mailbox or Gmail / Outlook |
📚 Related Features
| Topic | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 📨 Email Account Configuration | email-account | Binding flow + error code troubleshooting table |
| 📮 Personal Mailboxes | 100-gerenyouxiang-personal-mailbox | 16 Major Mailboxes Quick Reference |
| 🏢 Tencent Enterprise Mailbox | 205-tengxun-qiyeyouxiang-tencent-enterprise-mailbox | Own-domain version (foreign-trade recommended) |
| NetEase Mail (@163.com) | 107-wangyi-163youxiang-netease-personal-email | Also uses authorization code |
| Sohu Mail (@sohu.com) | 105-souhu-sohuyouxiang-sohu-personal-email | Similar authorization mechanism |
| Apple iCloud Mail | 113-pingguo-icloudyouxiang-apple-personal-email | International mailbox (App-specific password) |
| 📬 Check New Emails | check-new-emails | After binding, enable sync + notifications |
| 🚀 Email Mass Sending | email-mass-sending | Bulk via Quality Channel (doesn't bind QQ Mail) |
Scroll to the bottom of this page, scan the support WeChat QR (in footer) for one-on-one help — immediate response during work hours, replies first thing next morning if after hours.
📖 About Tencent Mail (@qq.com / @foxmail.com)
What is Tencent Mail?
Tencent Mail (QQ Mail) is the free personal email service launched by Tencent in 2002 — one of the largest user bases in China. Provides large attachments, email archiving, calendar, and more.
Tencent Mail main suffixes:
| Email Suffix | Source |
|---|---|
@qq.com | QQ number + suffix (e.g. 123456789@qq.com) or custom English account |
@foxmail.com | Foxmail mailbox (Tencent acquired Foxmail and integrated) |
@vip.qq.com | QQ VIP users only |
→ All Tencent mailboxes share the same backend, configuration flow is identical.
Why does Tencent Mail need an authorization code?
Tencent security policy:
- Third-party client login cannot use QQ password — must use the dedicated 16-digit authorization code
- Enabling IMAP/SMTP requires SMS verification; some accounts also require WeChat scan secondary verification
- Authorization codes can be generated and disabled individually — leak doesn't affect QQ main account
→ Now, binding QQ Mail to any third-party client requires a 16-digit authorization code.
Security hardening recommendations:
| Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|
| Enable SMS login protection on QQ | Even password leaks require SMS code |
| Use QQ Security Center App | Critical action popup confirmation, prevents theft |
| Rotate QQ main password regularly | Every 6 months |
| One authorization code per client | Invalidate alone, others unaffected |
QQ Mail vs Foxmail Mail
Many don't know these are actually the same mailbox:
| Dimension | @qq.com | @foxmail.com |
|---|---|---|
| History | Tencent in-house (2002) | Tencent acquired Foxmail in 2005 |
| Underlying | Same system | Same system |
| Server | imap.qq.com | imap.qq.com (same one!) |
| Authorization code | Same (generate 1, both work) | Same |
| Address style | 123456789@qq.com (QQ number + suffix) / custom English | Usually custom English |
| User impression | Numeric leaning | More professional leaning |
→ For a more professional impression with customers, @foxmail.com looks better than @qq.com (though technically they're the same mailbox).
Is QQ Mail suitable for foreign-trade development?
1-on-1 follow-up / inquiry replies ❌ Not recommended:
- Overseas customers trust
@qq.com(numeric + domestic mailbox) extremely low - Emails frequently land in overseas spam
- Using
@qq.comto actively prospect overseas customers = very high failure rate
Bulk cold emails ❌ Completely unsuitable:
- QQ Mail risk control is especially strict (the most aggressive anti-spam among domestic mailboxes)
- High volume in short time → temporary suspension / permanent restriction
- Overseas mail providers reject directly / go to spam
Foreign-trade verdict:
- 🤝 Domestic comms / personal use → QQ Mail works
- 🌐 Foreign-trade development → Must use Gmail / Outlook or own-domain business mailbox
- 🚀 Heavy cold email → use a Quality Channel (doesn't bind QQ Mail)
- 💼 B2B professional image → strongly recommend Tencent Enterprise Mailbox (own domain)
🔗 Permalink: https://laifa.xin/youxiang/106-tengxun-qqyouxiang-tencent-personal-email