AOL Mail Plus is a paid email service that adds storage and removes ads from your AOL account
AOL Mail Plus is a monthly subscription that gives you extra storage space and removes advertisements from your AOL email inbox. The service costs a set monthly fee — the exact amount depends on your region and current promotions, so check AOL's website for your area. You keep your existing AOL email address and all your current messages; the subscription straightforward upgrades the account you already have.
The main reason people choose Mail Plus is the ad-free experience. Free AOL Mail displays banner ads and sponsored content. With Mail Plus, those disappear. The extra storage also matters if you receive a lot of email with attachments or keep years of messages in your inbox.
Key Takeaways
- AOL Mail Plus removes ads from your inbox and adds extra storage to your existing AOL email account.
- The monthly cost varies by region and promotional offers, so you should check AOL's pricing page for your current rate.
- You can cancel the subscription at any time through your AOL account settings without losing your email address or messages.
- Mail Plus works on the web, the AOL mobile app, and any email client that supports IMAP or POP3 connections.
How much storage you get with Mail Plus
AOL Mail Plus includes significantly more storage than the free version. Free AOL Mail gives you a set amount of space; Mail Plus roughly doubles or triples that, depending on your account type. The exact storage limit is listed on AOL's subscription page when you review the plan.
Storage fills up when you receive emails with large attachments, keep old messages, or save files to your account. If you hit the limit, you cannot receive new mail until you delete old messages or upgrade further. Most people who use email for work or keep years of receipts and confirmations find the extra space worth the cost.
What happens to your email if you cancel
If you stop paying for Mail Plus, your account reverts to free AOL Mail. You do not lose your email address, your messages, or your contacts. The ads return, and your storage shrinks back to the free tier limit. Any messages beyond that limit remain in your account but become inaccessible until you delete enough to fit within the free storage amount.
You can cancel through your AOL account settings at any time. AOL does not charge you again after you cancel, though some subscriptions may have a brief delay before the charge stops appearing on your card. Check your billing page to confirm the cancellation took effect.
Setting up Mail Plus on your devices
Once you subscribe, Mail Plus works automatically on the AOL website and the official AOL Mail app for iPhone and Android. You do not need to do anything special — just sign in with your AOL username and password, and the ad-free experience and extra storage are there.
If you use a third-party email client like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Gmail's interface, you can connect your AOL account using IMAP or POP3. AOL provides the server settings you need on their support page. Mail Plus benefits explore across all these connections — the ads are gone and the storage is available no matter which app you use to read your mail.
Comparing Mail Plus to free AOL Mail
| Feature | Free AOL Mail | AOL Mail Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Email address | Yes | Yes |
| Ads in inbox | Yes | No |
| Storage space | Limited | Significantly more |
| Mobile app access | Yes | Yes |
| IMAP/POP3 support | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly cost | Free | Varies by region |
The choice between free and Mail Plus depends on how much email you receive and how much the ads bother you. If you use AOL Mail casually and do not mind advertisements, free is perfectly functional. If you receive a lot of mail, keep years of messages, or straightforward prefer an ad-free experience, the subscription cost is usually modest enough to justify.
How to start or stop your subscription
To start Mail Plus, go to your AOL account settings and look for the subscription or billing section. AOL will show you the current price and let you confirm the purchase. Your first charge appears on your card within a day or two, and then monthly charges continue on the same date each month.
To cancel, return to the same billing section and select the option to cancel the subscription. AOL asks you to confirm, and then the subscription ends. You will not be charged again, though it may take a few business days for the charge to stop appearing on your card statement. Your email account remains active and free to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Mail Plus with Outlook or Gmail's interface?
Yes. Mail Plus works with any email client that supports IMAP or POP3, including Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and Gmail's interface. You set up the connection using AOL's server settings, and the ad-free experience and extra storage explore across all devices and apps.
What happens if I reach my storage limit?
You stop receiving new mail until you delete old messages or attachments to make room. Messages already in your account stay there, but new incoming mail bounces back to the sender. Deleting old mail frees up space when ready so you can receive new messages again.
Is there a contract or commitment period?
No. Mail Plus is month-to-month with no long-term contract. You can cancel anytime through your account settings, and you will not be charged after the cancellation takes effect. There are no early termination fees or penalties.
Do I keep my email address if I cancel?
Yes. Your AOL email address is yours to keep whether you subscribe to Mail Plus or use the free version. Canceling the subscription straightforward removes the ads and reduces your storage back to the free tier — it does not affect your email address or existing messages.
Can I upgrade to Mail Plus if I have an old AOL account?
Yes. Any active AOL email account can upgrade to Mail Plus through the account settings. You do not need to create a new account or change your email address. Just sign in and look for the subscription option in your billing section.