Cannot Connect to an iCloud Account

Apple requires third-party apps (like Spark) to use app-specific passwords with iCloud accounts. An app-specific password is a single-use password you generate on the Apple ID webpage and paste into the password field to log into Spark.

1. Enable the two-factor authentication

To generate an app-specific password, make sure you have two-factor authentication enabled.

1. Open System Settings on your Mac.
2. Go to iCloud > Account Details.
3. Click Security at the top.
4. Make sure two-factor authentication is on. Otherwise, click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.

2. Add your iCloud account to Spark

Please check the network connection on your device. If you use a VPN, we can’t guarantee Spark will work properly. The quality of the performance via VPN solely relies on the servers of the VPN network. For this reason, we recommend you turn the VPN off.

Some organizations enable a firewall to prevent access to certain websites from their networks. Ask the administrator if the access to Spark (as the third-party email application) is allowed. Alternatively, you can try to connect to a different network.

Please make sure you add your iCloud Primary Address, not an iCloud Alias. You can check your email address in Mail on iCloud.com (click on the "Gear" Settings icon at the top left > Account).

1. Click Spark at the top left of your screen.
2. Select Add Account > iCloud.
3. Enter your iCloud email which ends with @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com.
4. In the password field, you need to paste the app-specific password, not the standard password from your account. Click Generate an app-specific password.
5. You will be directed to the Apple ID webpage. Sign in as usual.
6. In the Security section, click Generate Password.
7. Enter the password label, e.g. “Spark” and click Create.
8. Copy this password.
9. Return to Spark, paste the password you generated in the password field and click Add.

If your iCloud account is the first one you try to add to Spark, launch the app and click Start Using Spark. Enter your iCloud email address, tick the checkbox to agree with Spark Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy and click Next.

Then, generate and paste an app-specific password as described above.

3. Contact our support team

In case the suggestions above are not helping, try typing the app-specific password without the dashes in the format “asdasdasdasdasdasdasdasdasd” instead of the format Apple suggests.

If you’re still experiencing issues adding your iCloud account, we are happy to help you personally.

1. Launch Spark and click Help at the top left of your screen. Select Send Feedback.
2. A new email window will appear. In the Subject: line, write “Cannot connect to iCloud account.” We need this email subject to provide you with a quick, personal reply.
3. In your message, please write the email address you’re trying to log in and attach a screenshot with the error message appearing when you try to add an account.
4. Send the email, and our support team will get in touch to solve your problem.