Get
started with IMAP and POP3
What is POP and IMAP?
POP and IMAP is what allows you to download
messages from Gmail's servers onto your computer so you can access your mail
with a program like Microsoft Outlook or Thunderbird, even when you aren't connected
to the Internet.How much does POP and IMAP cost?
POP
and IMAP access are free for all Gmail users.
What's the difference between POP and IMAP?
If
you're trying to decide between using POP and IMAP, we encourage you to use
IMAP.
Unlike POP, IMAP offers two-way
communication between your web Gmail and your email client. This means when you
log in to Gmail using a web browser, actions you perform on email clients and
mobile devices (ex: putting mail in a 'work' folder) will instantly and
automatically appear in Gmail (ex: it will already have a 'work' label on that
email the next time you sign in).
IMAP also provides a better method to
access your mail from multiple devices. If you check your email at work, on
your mobile phone, and again at home, IMAP ensures that new mail is accessible
from any device at any given time.
Finally, IMAP offers a more stable
experience overall. Whereas POP is prone to losing messages or downloading the
same messages multiple times, IMAP avoids this through two-way syncing
capabilities between your mail clients and your web Gmail.
How will using a mail client affect
automatic replies?
If you're setting up POP for the first time, confirm your settings to make
sure they're correct
Ok, confirm my settings
No thanks
You can retrieve your Gmail messages with a
client or device that supports IMAP, like Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail.
Enable IMAP in your Gmail settings
- Sign in to
Gmail.
- Click the
gear in
the top right.
- Select Settings.
- Click Forwarding
and POP/IMAP.
- Select Enable
IMAP.
- Click Save
Changes.
Note: This setting is not available while
using the basic HTML view of Gmail. To enable IMAP, use the standard view
instead. Find out more about standard view and basic HTML
view.
Once you've enabled IMAP
in your Gmail settings, you need to configure your client. Select a client
below to see specific configuration instructions.Outlook / Windows Mail
- Android
- BlackBerry
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Outlook / Windows Mail
- Apple Mail
- Thunderbird
- Other
- Open
Outlook or Windows Mail.
- Click the Tools
menu, and select Accounts or Email Accounts
- Click Add.
If you're setting up IMAP
for the first time, confirm your settings to make sure they're correctOk,
confirm my settings
- Ok, confirm my settings
- No thanks
Google
Apps
users, please follow the default instructions unless otherwise noted, replacing
'your_domain.com' with your actual domain name.
Many clients will automatically configure
the appropriate IMAP connection settings for your account, but confirm that the
connection settings your client configures are the same as what's listed below.
If you're using a client that's not listed
above, you can also use the following information to configure your IMAP. If
you have problems, contact your mail client's customer support department for
further instructions.
- Incoming
Mail (IMAP) Server - Requires SSL
- imap.gmail.com
- Port: 993
- Requires
SSL:Yes
- Outgoing
Mail (SMTP) Server - Requires TLS
- smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 465
or 587
- Requires
SSL: Yes
- Requires
authentication: Yes
- Use same
settings as incoming mail server
- Full Name
or Display Name: [your name]
- Account
Name or User Name: your full Gmail address (username@gmail.com).
Google Apps users, please enter username@your_domain.com
- Email
address: your
full Gmail address (username@gmail.com) Google Apps users, please enter
username@your_domain.com
- Password: your
Gmail password
If your client does not support SMTP
authentication, you won't be able to send mail through your client using your
Gmail address.
Also, if you're having trouble sending mail
but you've confirmed that encryption is active for SMTP in your mail client,
try to configure your SMTP server on a different port: 465 or 587.