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IMAP

What is IMAP?<br> IMAP mail and PPO3<br>

IMAP, acronym for Internet Message Access Protocol, is a protocol used for sending and receiving email.
That is to say, it is used to access emails from a web server from a local mail client.

The main advantage of the IMAP protocol is that the email is managed directly on the server itself, which means that the emails always remain on the server and are not downloaded to the computer locally.

1. Differences between IMAP and POP3

Together with POP3, IMAP is one of the two most used protocols when setting up an email account, as both are compatible with current email clients.

By using IMAP, it is possible to manage messages directly from the server, as you don’t have to download the emails to a local mail client, which means you can access them later if necessary from another location.
IMAP is the most recommended option for accessing emails from different mail clients, or when multiple users need to manage the same inbox.

In contrast to IMAP, the POP3 protocol downloads emails to the local computer and these are deleted from the server, so it is possible to read them even when there is no connection to the server.

If the mailbox is accessed from different locations or devices, this is not the best choice.
Similarly, POP3 reduces the server’s workload, which will save space, as messages will be downloaded to the user’s client.

By default, the IMAP protocol works on ports 143 and 993.
Port 143 is the default port for IMAP (unencrypted), while port 993 is the port used to connect via IMAP using a secure (encrypted) connection.

By default, the POP3 protocol works under both ports 110 and 995.
Port 110 is the default port for POP3 (unencrypted), while port 995 is the port used for secure (encrypted) POP3 connections.

2. Advantages and disadvantages

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using IMAP and POP3 in respectively.

IMAP

Its advantages are:

  • Messages are accessible simultaneously from any device connected to the Internet.
  • Any changes are updated in real time and will be visible to all users accessing the email account.
  • If A device connected to the mailbox stops working, messages are not lost as they are stored directly on the server.

Its disadvantages are:

  • Since all messages are stored on the server, it is easier to use all its available storage space.
  • If IMAP folders were created, they would not be accessible from POP3 configurations.

POP3

Its advantages are:

  • The mail server has free space because messages are downloaded to the local computer and deleted from the server.
  • Users have access to the downloaded emails even when there is no connection.

Its disadvantages are:

  • Emails are not accessible from different devices.
    Sent emails can only be accessed locally.
  • It consumes space on the local device where the message is downloaded.
  • Emails can be lost or become inaccessible, in case of a problem with local devices.