IMAP vs POP3: What's the Difference?

When you add an email account to a mail app, you're often asked to choose between IMAP and POP3. Both let an app read your mail from the server, but they behave very differently. For almost everyone today, IMAP is the right choice.

The quick answer

How IMAP works

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps your messages on the mail server. Your apps show a synchronized view: read a message on your phone and it shows as read on your laptop; move it to a folder in webmail and it moves everywhere.

Pros:

• Same mailbox on phone, laptop and webmail
• Nothing lost if a device breaks
• Folders and flags synced

Cons:

• Uses server storage, so you may need to clean up old mail over time

How POP3 works

POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) was designed when people had one computer. The app downloads new messages and, by default, deletes them from the server.

Pros:

• Uses little server space
• Simple

Cons:

• Mail ends up spread across devices
• If the computer is lost, the mail is gone
• Sent mail and folders don't sync

Which should you choose?

Choose IMAP if you use more than one device, use webmail, or share a mailbox — which is nearly everyone. Choose POP3 only if you deliberately want to keep mail on a single computer and remove it from the server.

What about sending?

Neither IMAP nor POP3 sends mail. Sending uses SMTP. When you set up an account you enter both an incoming server (IMAP) and an outgoing server (SMTP). Read what SMTP is and how it works.

Maililo settings

Maililo mailboxes use IMAP for reading mail:

• Incoming (IMAP): mail.maililo.com, port 993, SSL/TLS
• Outgoing (SMTP): mail.maililo.com, port 465, SSL/TLS
• Username: your full email address

Always use the encrypted ports. Unencrypted ports send your password in plain text.

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