IMAP vs POP3: which should I use?
Why IMAP is usually the better choice, and when POP3 makes sense.
| IMAP | POP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your email is stored | On our server | Downloaded to one device |
| Read on phone and computer | Yes, everything stays in sync | Hard to keep in sync |
| Sent items and folders on all devices | Yes | No |
| Uses mailbox storage | Yes | Little, if mail is removed from the server |
| If your device is lost or breaks | Email is safe on the server | Email is lost unless you have a backup |
Our advice
- Use IMAP in almost all cases, especially if you read email on more than one device.
- Use POP3 only if your mailbox storage is very small (for example, the retired Basic Email plans) and you read email on one computer that is backed up.
Switching from POP3 to IMAP
You can’t change an existing account from POP3 to IMAP. Add the mailbox again as a new IMAP account, then move any old emails from the POP folders into the IMAP folders so they’re uploaded to the server. Check you have enough mailbox space first.
Was this article helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Sorry about that. Open a support ticket and we’ll help you directly.