Error 503 – Valid RCPT command must precede DATA (Android)

The “Error 503: Valid RCPT command must precede DATA” happens when sending email. It’s telling you that your SMTP (outgoing mail) connection was not properly authenticated by your email server.

The two most common causes of this error are:

  • Your email server requires you to check email first before sending email (checking email first is one way your email provider manages the security of your email account).
  • Your email client isn’t set up for SMTP Authentication.

Checking email before sending

When you first open your email client, it automatically checks email first. However, if you attempt to send email after about 30 minutes and you see this message, simply check your email for new messages. You’ll then be able to send email if this is the problem.

More often, Error 503 tells you that you need to set up SMTP Authentication in your email client.

Setting up SMTP Authentication

Configuring SMTP Authentication in your email client requires you to edit your email account SMTP (outgoing mail) settings. Add your email address and password to the SMTP settings and you’ll receive no more Error 503 messages.

How you set up SMTP Authentication depends on the email client you use. Here’s how to set it up in Android:

  1. Open the Email application and tap Accounts.
  2. Tap and hold the account for which you need to enable SMTP Authentication.
  3. Tap Account Settings.
  4. Tap Outgoing Settings.
  5. For the Security Type, select SSL.
  6. Enter 465 as the port and click Next.
  7. Your SMTP settings are tested and updated.

If, for some reason, the above steps fail, please contact HostPapa Support for further assistance.

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