When to use IMAP for your email

Introduction

IMAP is the recommended protocol for most modern email accounts. Its main advantage is that it keeps your messages synchronized across all your devices.

If you use email on your phone, computer, tablet or webmail, IMAP avoids many of the common problems caused by POP3.

What IMAP does

IMAP lets your mail program work directly with the messages stored on the server. When you read, delete, move or flag a message, that change appears on every device where the account is configured.

When you should use IMAP

Use IMAP if:

1. You check email on more than one device.
2. You need the same inbox everywhere.
3. You use webmail together with a mail program.
4. You want Sent, Trash and Archive folders to sync.
5. You work from different locations.

Typical IMAP settings

Item	Value
IMAP server	mail.yourdomain.com
Secure IMAP port	993
Security	SSL/TLS
Username	Your full email address
Password	Mailbox password

Conclusion

Use IMAP whenever you want synchronized email that stays available from multiple devices. It is the most practical choice for day-to-day use and avoids many POP3-related problems.