01:29
Faizan
Google owns a lot of services -- including Gmail -- but IMAP isn't one of them. Rather, IMAP, which stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, is a technology of which numerous email service providers take advantage. Furthermore, related to IMAP is a sort of technological cousin in the form of POP3 technology. With Gmail, you can opt for either of these, but Google staff do explain why IMAP is a bit more advantageous.
Disambiguation
Both IMAP and POP3 services allow you to get any messages sent from your Gmail inbox to a computer or device via an outside, non-Google client. However, IMAP differs in that it creates a two-way communication between you and Google's Gmail servers. So, not only can you download your Gmail via an IMAP client, but whatever you do to your email in that client -- such as reading, moving or deleting particular messages -- is reflected on Google's servers and in your Gmail inbox. POP3 creates only a one-way communication, so it only lets you download your email, and that's it.
Benefits
IMAP is the clear winner over POP3 in terms of the benefits it provides, according to the official Gmail blog. The two-way communication supported by IMAP means that you don't have to do the same work twice, such as deleting and organizing emails. You can sync Gmail over multiple devices through various clients, if necessary, so that your Gmail account is the same no matter how or with what device you access it.
Set Up
To start the process for setting up IMAP for your Gmail account, sign in to your Gmail account, and then click the gear icon. After that, click "Settings" and then click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" link. Scroll down to the "IMAP Access" section and select "Enable IMAP." After that point is when things get a bit more technical and particular, depending on the email client you'll use. To help with that, click the "Configuration Instructions" link in the same section, and then select "I Want to Enable IMAP." Look for your particular client and follow the instructions specific to it.
Recommendations
For optimal performance, Google staff recommends IMAP client settings specific to five programs or devices, as of May 2013: the iOS platform, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express. If you plan to use any of these, then read Google's recommendations (link in Resources) for your particular client or device. Otherwise, Google staff have other recommendations for you in the event that you choose another client -- such as not saving your sent messages to Gmail's servers and not enabling your IMAP client's spam filters.
Disambiguation
Both IMAP and POP3 services allow you to get any messages sent from your Gmail inbox to a computer or device via an outside, non-Google client. However, IMAP differs in that it creates a two-way communication between you and Google's Gmail servers. So, not only can you download your Gmail via an IMAP client, but whatever you do to your email in that client -- such as reading, moving or deleting particular messages -- is reflected on Google's servers and in your Gmail inbox. POP3 creates only a one-way communication, so it only lets you download your email, and that's it.
Benefits
IMAP is the clear winner over POP3 in terms of the benefits it provides, according to the official Gmail blog. The two-way communication supported by IMAP means that you don't have to do the same work twice, such as deleting and organizing emails. You can sync Gmail over multiple devices through various clients, if necessary, so that your Gmail account is the same no matter how or with what device you access it.
Set Up
To start the process for setting up IMAP for your Gmail account, sign in to your Gmail account, and then click the gear icon. After that, click "Settings" and then click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" link. Scroll down to the "IMAP Access" section and select "Enable IMAP." After that point is when things get a bit more technical and particular, depending on the email client you'll use. To help with that, click the "Configuration Instructions" link in the same section, and then select "I Want to Enable IMAP." Look for your particular client and follow the instructions specific to it.
Recommendations
For optimal performance, Google staff recommends IMAP client settings specific to five programs or devices, as of May 2013: the iOS platform, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express. If you plan to use any of these, then read Google's recommendations (link in Resources) for your particular client or device. Otherwise, Google staff have other recommendations for you in the event that you choose another client -- such as not saving your sent messages to Gmail's servers and not enabling your IMAP client's spam filters.
Posted in: gmail
