IMAP vs POP3 Explained — Plus the Correct Server Settings to Use
Not sure whether to choose IMAP or POP3 when setting up email? This plain-English guide explains the difference and lists the correct server settings for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and more.
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When you add an email account to a desktop app or phone, you are usually asked whether you want to use IMAP or POP3. The choice matters, and for most people the right answer is IMAP. Here is why.
What Is POP3?
POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) downloads your emails from the server to your device, then — by default — removes them from the server. Think of it like picking up letters from a post office box: once collected, they live only on your local machine. If your device is lost or stolen, so are your emails. POP3 was designed for a world where people had one PC; it is less suited to using email across multiple devices.
What Is IMAP?
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps your emails on the server and synchronises them to all your devices. If you read an email on your phone, it shows as read on your laptop too. Deleting a message removes it everywhere. IMAP is the standard choice for anyone using more than one device or who wants their emails safely stored on a server.
Which Should You Use?
Use IMAP unless you have a specific reason not to. The only real advantage of POP3 today is if you have a very limited server storage quota and want to keep everything locally — or if your ISP charges by mailbox size.
Common IMAP Server Settings
- Gmail: Incoming: imap.gmail.com, port 993, SSL | Outgoing: smtp.gmail.com, port 465 or 587, SSL/TLS
- Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live: Incoming: outlook.office365.com, port 993, SSL | Outgoing: smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, STARTTLS
- Yahoo Mail: Incoming: imap.mail.yahoo.com, port 993, SSL | Outgoing: smtp.mail.yahoo.com, port 465, SSL
- AOL Mail: Incoming: imap.aol.com, port 993, SSL | Outgoing: smtp.aol.com, port 465, SSL
- Apple iCloud: Incoming: imap.mail.me.com, port 993, SSL | Outgoing: smtp.mail.me.com, port 587, TLS
Common POP3 Settings (for reference)
- Gmail: pop.gmail.com, port 995, SSL
- Outlook.com: pop3.live.com, port 995, SSL
- Yahoo: pop.mail.yahoo.com, port 995, SSL
If you are setting up a business or custom domain email account, check your hosting provider's documentation for the correct server names — they vary by host.
Frequently asked questions
I have been using POP3 for years. Should I switch to IMAP?
You can, but the transition requires care. Switching to IMAP on the same account will not automatically import your locally-stored POP3 emails to the server. You would need to manually drag old emails into the new IMAP account folders in your email client. If your local archive is large, consider leaving it in place and just adding the account fresh via IMAP.
My email app says 'IMAP is not enabled' for my Gmail. How do I enable it?
Log in to Gmail in a web browser, go to Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and select Enable IMAP. Save the change and try setting up the account again.
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