IMAP and POP3 are the two ways an email app can collect your mail.
IMAP (recommended)
- Mail stays on the server and is synced to each device
- Read, deleted and moved messages update everywhere
- Ideal if you use more than one device or webmail
- Uses your hosting storage, so keep an eye on mailbox size
POP3
- Downloads messages to one device, then normally removes them from the server
- Mail exists only on that device, so if it's lost or broken the mail goes with it unless backed up
- Can be useful with very limited storage, or to keep an offline archive on one computer
POP3 settings
- Server: your server hostname
- Port 995, encryption SSL/TLS
- Outgoing SMTP as normal: port 465 SSL/TLS
Most email apps have a POP3 option to leave a copy of messages on the server. If you use more than one device, turn this on, or better still, switch to IMAP.
