Emails won't send with SSL enabled from iPad

[#1]

Thanks everyone for your help.  I haven't yet migrated to Greenby - have they forgotten me?

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get back to the error message re the certificate to look at the details page. 

I  also tried using her email address as her username, but it didn't work.

However, I have added my wife's account onto my iPad 7 using the same settings and it works, SSL and all.

So it looks like a trip to John Lewis to buy her a new iPad.

Thanks once again,

Dave

[#2]

iPad Mini 4 - no longer supported ... is the issue here.

This is not directly an issue with the PlusNet mail service, but one of the root security certificates supplied by Apple having not been updated.  See Google searches...

====================================

Older Apple iPads often run into security certificate and SSL errors because their outdated operating systems no longer receive root certificate updates required for modern websites. [1]

Causes of Certificate Errors

• Expired Root Certificates: Old iOS versions lack updated root certificates (such as Let's Encrypt's ISRG Root X1) used by a large portion of modern websites. [1]

• Incorrect Date and Time: An incorrect system clock stops the iPad from validating whether a security certificate is currently active or expired. [1]

• Outdated System Software: Apple stops issuing official software and security updates for legacy hardware, leaving browsers unable to parse modern TLS/SSL protocols. [1]

How to Fix Security Certificate Issues

• Check Date and Time: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure Set Automatically is turned on.

• Install Missing Root Certificates: For very old devices struggling with modern web security, users on the Apple Community Forum note that you can open Safari, download a modern root certificate profile like the Let's Encrypt ISRG Root X1 PEM, and follow the prompts to install the profile. [1, 2]

• Enable Full Trust: If you manually install a profile, go to Settings > General > About > Certificate Trust Settings and turn on full trust for the newly added root certificate. [1]

• Try Alternative Browsers: Download a third-party browser from the App Store if it is still supported on your iOS version, as some bundle their own certificate trust stores.

==================================

Apple released certificate extension updates for older operating systems to prevent key core services from breaking ahead of an expiration deadline in January 2027. [1, 2]

Why Apple Released the Updates

• Prevent Service Failure: The updates renew expiring security roots that would otherwise block access to basic functions. [1, 2]

• Affected Features: Services like iMessage, FaceTime, Apple account sign-ins, and device activation rely on these certificates to connect securely. [1, 2]

• No New Features: These patches do not add user-facing features or general security fixes; their only goal is maintaining baseline connectivity. [1, 2]

Covered Operating Systems

Apple rolled out these extension patches to several older software generations, including: [1]

• macOS Big Sur 11.7.11

• macOS Catalina 10.15.8 (delivered as Security Update 2026-001)

• watchOS 10.6.2, 9.6.4, and 6.3.1

• Legacy iOS and iPadOS versions (such as iOS 12 and 15 updates)

===============================

Mods, can this thread be merged with this please - https://community.plus.net/t5/Email/Email-send-fails-SMTP-Certificate/m-p/2056259#M62210

[#3]

Slightly OT but I have an even older iPad and it has stopped working completely.
Not only cannot it not receive emails or connect to the internet, I can't do anything with it. It goes into a permanent 'IOS must be upgraded/version not supported' loop.
I was at least able to use the camera &c before the last OS upgrade. Now it is just a brick. None of the instructions from Apple's website have managed to revive it. I think it is outrageous that Apple's built-in obsolescence renders otherwise mechanically sound equipment unusable for anything.

I have a couple of 10 year old android phones that I use as mp3 layers/FM radios/spare cameras. Even though they are useless as phones or for surfing they still work as offline devices.