IMAP or POP3: which should you use?
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When you add your email to a program like Outlook, Thunderbird or a phone, it asks whether to use IMAP or POP3. This guide explains the difference and helps you pick. For most people the answer is IMAP.
The short version
- IMAP keeps your mail on our server and shows the same mailbox on every device. Read a message on your phone and it shows as read on your laptop too.
- POP3 downloads mail to one device and usually deletes it from the server. Each device ends up with its own separate copy.
Side by side
| IMAP | POP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where mail is kept | On the server | On your device |
| Works on several devices | Yes, all stay in step | Not well, each gets its own copy |
| Sent items and folders | Shared across devices | Only on the device that sent or filed them |
| Uses mailbox space on the server | Yes | Little, if mail is removed after download |
| Works offline | Yes, for messages already synced | Yes |
| Covered by our server backups | Yes | Only while mail is still on the server |
| Webmail shows your mail | Yes | Only what hasn’t been downloaded and removed |
Why IMAP suits most people
Most of us check email on a phone and a computer, and sometimes in webmail. IMAP is the only option that keeps all of these the same. Your folders, sent mail and read status match everywhere.
Because the mail stays on our server, it’s also included in our regular account backups. If your laptop is lost or dies, your email is still there when you set up a new one.
When POP3 makes sense
POP3 can still be the right choice if:
- You only ever read email on one computer.
- You want a local archive of every message and you back that computer up yourself.
- Your mailbox keeps filling up and you’d rather keep old mail on your own machine.
If you go with POP3, think about ticking the option in your email program to leave a copy of messages on the server, at least for a few days. That way your phone or webmail can still see recent mail. Remember that those copies count towards your mailbox size. See email size limits explained.
Ports and security settings
Both types need a username, password, server name and port. Your username is always the full email address, such as you@yourdomain.co.uk.
Always use an encrypted connection (SSL/TLS). In general terms:
- IMAP over SSL/TLS normally uses port 993.
- POP3 over SSL/TLS normally uses port 995.
- Sending (SMTP) over SSL/TLS normally uses port 465.
The unencrypted ports (143 for IMAP, 110 for POP3) send your password in a form that’s easier to intercept. Avoid them.
To get the exact server names and ports for your account, use cPanel:
- Log in to cPanel.
- In the Email section, open Email Accounts.
- Find the address and click Connect Devices.
- Use the settings listed under Secure SSL/TLS Settings.
Switching from POP3 to IMAP
You can’t change an existing account from one to the other in most email programs. Instead:
- Make sure any mail you want to keep is on your computer, and back it up.
- Add the same address again as a new IMAP account, using the settings from Connect Devices.
- Once the IMAP account is working, drag any old messages you want on every device from the POP3 folders into the IMAP inbox or a folder under it. They’ll upload to the server.
- Remove the old POP3 account.
Watch your mailbox size while doing this, as uploading years of mail can fill it. See how to change an email password or mailbox size.
Setup guides
- How to set up email in Outlook
- How to set up email in Thunderbird
- How to set up email in Apple Mail
- How to set up email on iPhone and Android
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and we’ll help.
Mailboxes on UK servers that work on your phone, in Outlook and in webmail.