The Neuf Mail messaging service no longer exists as a standalone service since the acquisition of Neuf Cegetel by SFR. The @neuf.fr addresses remain active, but they now depend on the SFR Mail infrastructure. This transfer, which appears seamless on paper, generates concrete issues: password denied, login page redirecting in a loop, recognized username but locked access. The problem does not always stem from user forgetfulness.
SFR Mail password denied despite an active Neuf username
This is the scenario that traps the most former Neuf subscribers. The @neuf.fr address is accepted as a username on the SFR Mail login page, the field does not return any error, but the password is systematically denied.
The explanation lies in a distinction that SFR does not emphasize enough: the webmail password is distinct from that of the SFR customer area. During the migration of Neuf accounts to SFR, two sets of credentials were created. One for the customer area (to manage subscriptions, invoices) and one for the messaging. Changing one does not change the other.
A subscriber who resets their password from the SFR customer area does not necessarily unlock access to the webmail. The specific recovery procedure for the messaging goes through the SFR support page dedicated to messaging credentials, not through the standard account management process. As detailed by the Geek Daily website, this confusion between the two passwords is the primary cause of blockage for users of old Neuf addresses.
Logging into SFR webmail with an @neuf.fr address: the working URLs
Several paths lead to the messaging service, but not all behave the same way with an @neuf.fr address. The two reliable entry points are messagerie.sfr.fr and webmail.sfr.fr. Both redirect to the same login interface.
A third access exists via the envelope icon on the homepage sfr.fr. This shortcut works, but it assumes that you are already authenticated on the SFR portal, adding an extra login layer for holders of @neuf.fr addresses not linked to an active SFR subscription.
On mobile, the SFR Mail app accepts @neuf.fr addresses. However, accessing via the mobile browser remains possible and requires no installation. Simply open messagerie.sfr.fr from Safari or Chrome. The interface adapts to the screen, although the ergonomics lag behind the native app.
Flashmail is no longer accessible
Users looking to retrieve the old Flashmail service, offered during the Neuf Cegetel era, will be blocked. Flashmail no longer exists and does not redirect to any active interface. Any attempt to log in via this service is a dead end.
Setting up a mail client in IMAP for an @neuf.fr address
Going through the webmail is not the only option. Configuring a mail software (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail) in IMAP allows you to centralize @neuf.fr emails with other accounts.
The IMAP connection settings for @neuf.fr addresses are as follows:
- Incoming IMAP server: imap.sfr.fr, port 993, SSL/TLS encryption
- Outgoing SMTP server: smtp.sfr.fr, port 465, SSL/TLS encryption
- Username: the full address @neuf.fr (some clients only require the part before the at sign, feedback varies on this point depending on the software used)
- Password: that of the SFR messaging, not that of the customer area
The POP3 protocol remains available but has a major drawback: it downloads messages without synchronizing them. Deleting an email on the phone does not delete it on the webmail. IMAP synchronizes actions across all devices, making it the default choice for anyone checking their emails from multiple screens.
When the mail client refuses connection despite correct settings
An IMAP configuration failure with correct settings often points to the same problem: the password entered is that of the customer area and not that of the messaging. The distinction applies here as well. If resetting the messaging password via SFR support does not resolve anything, it is possible that the account has gone into an “inactive” state on the server side, especially if the mailbox has not been accessed for several years.
Security and limits of a Neuf messaging account in 2025
The @neuf.fr addresses work, but they are attached to a defunct brand. SFR maintains them without investing in their evolution. Several limits deserve to be clearly stated.
The inbox has a capped storage capacity. Once the limit is reached, the receipt of new messages is no longer guaranteed. SFR does not always notify the user when the threshold approaches.
Security is also a concern. The SFR webmail does not offer two-factor authentication on messaging accounts. For sensitive use (receiving administrative documents, bank confirmations), this absence weakens the account against phishing or unauthorized login attempts.
- No two-factor authentication on SFR Mail webmail
- No notification of suspicious logins on @neuf.fr accounts
- Risk of deactivation in case of prolonged account inactivity
The terms of use for SFR Mail specify that the service is reserved for SFR subscribers. A former Neuf customer who has changed operators can keep their @neuf.fr address for a time, but SFR reserves the right to cancel the service in case of expiration of the subscription contract. The available data do not allow for specifying the exact timeframe before deletion, which seems to vary depending on the cases.
For users who still rely on an @neuf.fr address as their primary contact, the question of migrating to a sustainable messaging service (Gmail, Outlook, ProtonMail) arises. Redirecting incoming emails from SFR Mail to another inbox allows for preparing this transition without losing messages during the switch.