POP3 vs IMAP: Which Should You Use for Your Email?

Applies to: email accounts on cPanel hosting and any mail server; Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail and phone mail apps

IMAP and POP3 are two ways an email app gets your mail from the server. For almost everyone today, IMAP is the better choice.

IMAP

• Mail stays on the server; every app shows the same folders, read status and sent mail.
• Works on several devices at once: phone, laptop and webmail stay in sync.
• Uses server storage, so keep an eye on your mailbox quota.
• Port 993 with SSL/TLS.

POP3

• Downloads mail to one device and usually deletes it from the server.
• Other devices and webmail don’t see those messages; folders and read status aren’t synced.
• Useful only for one computer with little server storage, or for archiving mail locally.
• Port 995 with SSL/TLS.

Sending uses neither: outgoing mail always goes through SMTP on port 465 or 587 (see SMTP port numbers).

Switching from POP3 to IMAP

1. Make a backup or export of your mail in the email app.
2. Add the account again, choosing IMAP (port 993, SSL/TLS).
3. Upload any mail that only exists on your computer into the IMAP folders by dragging it across.
4. Remove the old POP3 account.

Settings for cPanel email

In cPanel, open Email › Email Accounts, click Connect Devices next to the address, and use the Secure SSL/TLS Settings shown there. More: IMAP support in cPanel. Moving mail between servers: migrate email with imapsync.