POP3, IMAP and SMTP: what they are and which to use
When you set up email on a phone or computer you are asked to choose between IMAP and POP3, and to enter an SMTP server. Here is what each one does.
IMAP: keeps everything in sync (recommended)
IMAP leaves your messages on the mail server and shows you a live view of them. Read, delete or move an email on your phone and the same change appears on your laptop and in webmail. It is the best choice if you use more than one device.
POP3: downloads and (usually) removes
POP3 downloads your mail to one device, and by default removes it from the server. Your other devices will not see those emails. POP3 suits one computer that is the only place you read mail, but it makes your email harder to recover if that computer fails.
SMTP: sends your mail
SMTP is only for sending. Every mail app needs an outgoing (SMTP) server, whether you pick IMAP or POP3 for receiving.
| IMAP | POP3 | SMTP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Receive and sync | Receive and download | Send |
| Works across devices | Yes | No | n/a |
| Secure port (SSL/TLS) | 993 | 995 | 465 |
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