ActiveSync on your mobile device

ActiveSync on your PDA phone (Smart Phone) allows you to directly download your email and calendar from the Hawkmail server without going through your desktop computer. ActiveSync synchronizes directly with the Hawkmail server, not your desktop software (Palm Desktop or Microsoft Outlook).

NOTE:  These instructions are intended for Iowa domain Hawkmail users.  If you connect to an Exchange server on a different domain, please contact your IT support person for instructions.

General Information for Setting Up ActiveSync on a Handheld Device

ActiveSync setup instructions vary by device. As a result, the instructions below are general settings and may look or be worded slightly different for your device. If you need assistance configuring ActiveSync on your device, bring your device to the ITS Help Desk or consult the instructions that came with your device.

  1. Press Start | ActiveSync
  2. On the ActiveSync screen press Menu | Configure Server
  3. Under "Server address :" enter email.uiowa.edu
  4. Check "This server requires an encrypted (SSL) connection" and press Next
  5. Under "User name:" enter your Hawk ID
    In the "Password:" field enter your Hawk ID password
    In the "Domain:" field enter iowa
    Check "Save password" if you do not want to enter your password with each synchronization
    Press Next
  6. Choose the data you want to synchronize.  Choose from Contacts, Calendar, E-mail, and Tasks and press Finish

How to Set Up ActiveSync from Your Desktop

  1. Install ActiveSync from the CD provided with your phone.
    Click Tools | Options

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  2. Check all items you wish to sync (e.g., Contacts, Calendar, E-mail, Tasks).  Then click the Settings... button.

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  3. In the "Server Address:" field enter email.uiowa.edu
    Check "This server requires an encrypted (SSL) connection"
    In the "User name:" field enter your Hawk ID
    In the "Password:" field enter your Hawk ID password.
    In the "Domain:" field enter iowa
    Check "Save Password"
    Click OK.

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Best Practices

  • Set ActiveSync schedule for peak times to Every 15 minutes and off-peak times for Every 2 hours. Peak starts at 8am and ends at 6pm, but can be altered to fit your schedule.  This has worked well for battery life.
  • Engage the button lock feature (Lock all buttons except Power Button) in | Settings | Buttons. With all of the exposed buttons it was too easy to turn the device on by accident.
  • In ActiveSync, go into the Inbox settings and change the default download setting from .5k to 5k.

Setting up VersaMail to work with Hawkmail ActiveSync

Important:  If you set up VersaMail to work with Hawkmail ActiveSync, Calendar and Contacts information automatically synchronizes directly with the Hawkmail server, along with e-mail messages.  You cannot choose to synchronize Calendar and Contacts info with Palm Desktop software or Outlook once you set up VersaMail to work with a Hawkmail ActiveSync account.  If you do not want to synchronize Calendar and Contacts info with the server, do not set up VersaMail to work with a Hawkmail ActiveSync account.

NOTE:  These instructions are intended for Iowa domain Hawkmail users.  If you connect to an Exchange server on a different domain, please contact your IT support person for instructions.

  1. Go to Applications and select Email.
  2. Open the Account Setup screen:
    • Open the menus
    • Select Accounts, and then
      select Account Setup
    • Select New
  3. In the Account Name: field, enter a descriptive name (e.g., Hawkmail ActiveSync)
  4. In the Mail Service list, select Exchange ActiveSync
  5. Click Next
  6. In the Username: field, enter your Hawk ID
  7. In the Password: field, enter your Hawk ID password and select OK
  8. Click Next
  9. In the E-mail Address: field , enter your e-mail address (e.g., john-doe@uiowa.edu)
  10. In the Mail Server: field, enter email.uiowa.edu
  11. Select Advanced
  12. In the Incoming Server Settings, leave the Port Number as 443 and select Use Secure Connection (SSL)
  13. Click Next
  14. Leave the default Proxy Server settings
  15. Click Done

If you need assistance with using mobile devices to connect to Hawkmail e-mail and calendar, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 319-384-HELP.

Return to the Mobile Device Support Center