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Set up Ration on Android or iPhone

Use Exchange, Microsoft Exchange, or Exchange ActiveSync when adding Ration to a phone. This is the recommended mobile setup: one account connects Mail and can also sync Contacts, Calendar, Tasks/Reminders, and Notes to the matching apps on your phone.

Before you begin​

Have the following ready:

  • Your full Ration email address, such as name@your-company.example.
  • Your Ration password.
  • An internet connection.
  • If two-factor authentication is enabled, your TOTP authenticator and current code.

Setup at a glance​

SettingValue
Account typeExchange, Microsoft Exchange, or Exchange ActiveSync
Email address / usernameYour full Ration email address
PasswordYour Ration password
Sign-in choiceSign In or Next; allow automatic configuration
Server, if requestedhttps://mail.ration.works/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync
Content to syncMail, Contacts, Calendar, Tasks/Reminders, and Notes where supported by the device
Prefer automatic setup

After entering your email address and password, choose Sign In, not Set up manually or Configure Manually. Ration’s discovery service supplies the connection details automatically for compatible clients. On-premises and MSP customers should use the ActiveSync server address provided by their administrator if manual setup is required.

Android​

Android menu names differ between device makers, but the flow is the same.

  1. Open Settings.

    Android Settings, where Accounts may be listed directly or under Additional settings

  2. Open Accounts, Accounts & sync, or Users & accounts. On some devices this is inside Additional settings.

    Android Additional settings, leading to Accounts and sync

  3. Select Add account.

    Android Accounts and sync with Add account

  4. Choose Exchange. It may be labelled Microsoft Exchange, Exchange ActiveSync, or, in Gmail, Exchange and Office 365.

    Android account-type list with Exchange selected

  5. Enter your full Ration email address and select Next.

    Android Exchange email-address entry screen

  6. Enter your Ration password, then select Sign In.

    Android Exchange password and Sign In screen

  7. If prompted, approve the sign-in and choose the data types that should sync.

  8. When the account is ready, select Done.

    Android confirmation that the Ration account is ready

Do not choose Google, Personal (IMAP), or Personal (POP3) when you want integrated contacts and calendar sync. Those account types are mail-only configurations.

Check Android sync​

  1. Open your mail app and select the Ration account.
  2. Send yourself a test message and confirm that it arrives.
  3. Confirm that mail folders appear. The first sync can take several minutes for a large mailbox.
  4. If enabled, open Contacts and Calendar to confirm that Ration data is visible.

iPhone​

  1. Open Settings and search for Mail Accounts, or open Settings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts → Add Account.

    iPhone Mail Accounts screen

  2. Select Microsoft Exchange.

    iPhone Add Account provider list

  3. Enter your full Ration email address and select Next.

    iPhone Microsoft Exchange account entry screen

  4. Optionally set a description such as Ration Work Email.

    iPhone Exchange email and description fields

  5. Enter your Ration password and select Sign In.

    iPhone Exchange password screen

  6. Do not select Configure Manually unless your administrator specifically instructs you to do so.

  7. Select the information to sync: keep Mail enabled and, where desired, enable Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, and Notes.

  8. Select Save.

    iPhone Exchange sync switches for Mail Contacts Calendars Reminders and Notes

Check iPhone sync​

  1. Open Apple Mail, then choose the Ration or Exchange mailbox.
  2. Send yourself a test email and confirm that it arrives.
  3. If Contacts or Calendars were enabled, open those apps and confirm that Ration data appears.

Change what syncs later​

DeviceWhere to change sync switches
AndroidSettings → Accounts & sync → Ration account
iPhoneSettings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts → Ration account

Turn on only the categories you want to keep on that device. Removing the account from the phone stops future sync but does not delete your Ration data. On iPhone, Mail Days to Sync controls how much older mail is kept locally; increase it if you need more history on the device.

Two-factor authentication​

If your account uses 2FA, complete the TOTP prompt with the current code from your authenticator app. The code is for the interactive phone sign-in; it is not the password for a manually configured IMAP, POP3, or SMTP client.

See Sign in with 2FA if you need help with an authenticator or recovery code.

Troubleshooting​

ProblemWhat to do
Sign-in fails or says the password is incorrectRe-enter the password carefully. Confirm it works in the Ration web app, then reset it if necessary.
You cannot find ExchangeLook for Microsoft Exchange or Exchange ActiveSync. On Android, use Gmail’s Add account → Exchange and Office 365 option if available.
The account was added but no mail appearsWait a few minutes for the initial sync, check the internet connection, then refresh the inbox.
Only recent mail appearsOpen the device's account settings and increase the mail-sync period.
Contacts or calendar do not appearOpen the account’s sync settings and ensure Contacts and Calendars are enabled.
The phone asks for a server addressGo back and choose automatic Sign In. If manual setup is required, use https://mail.ration.works/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync, or use the server supplied by your on-premises/MSP administrator.

When contacting support, send your email address, device type, operating-system version, client/app name, and an error screenshot. Never send a password, application-specific password, backup code, or TOTP code.