When setting up email on a mail client, you choose between IMAP and POP3. The right choice depends on how you access email and how many devices you use.
IMAP β Recommended
IMAP keeps email on the server and syncs across all devices. Read a message on your phone β it shows as read on your laptop too. Deleting on one device deletes everywhere. Use IMAP if you access email from multiple devices.
- Port: 993 (SSL) or 143 (STARTTLS)
- Email stored on server
- Full sync across devices
POP3
POP3 downloads email to your device and (by default) deletes it from the server. Once downloaded, the email is only on that device. Use POP3 only if you access email from a single device and want to store email locally.
- Port: 995 (SSL)
- Email downloaded to device
- No sync β each device sees different messages
Which Should You Choose?
Choose IMAP in almost all cases. It keeps your server mailbox intact, enables multi-device access, and allows webmail access anytime. The only reason to choose POP3 is if your mailbox quota is very small and you need to download and clear emails regularly.