Generic IMAP Setup
Any email provider that supports IMAP can be connected using these steps.Find your IMAP server details
Check your email provider’s help documentation for:
- IMAP server hostname (e.g.,
imap.example.com) - IMAP port —
993for SSL/TLS (recommended),143for STARTTLS - SMTP server and port for sending
- Whether SSL/TLS is required
Create an app password if available
If your provider supports app-specific passwords, use one instead of your main password. It’s more secure and easier to revoke.If app passwords aren’t available, you may need to enable IMAP access in your account settings (some providers disable it by default).
Common IMAP Server Settings
| Provider | IMAP Server | Port | SMTP Server | SMTP Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud | imap.mail.me.com | 993 | smtp.mail.me.com | 587 |
| Outlook | outlook.office365.com | 993 | smtp.office365.com | 587 |
| Yahoo | imap.mail.yahoo.com | 993 | smtp.mail.yahoo.com | 587 |
| Fastmail | imap.fastmail.com | 993 | smtp.fastmail.com | 587 |
| ProtonMail Bridge | 127.0.0.1 | 1143 | 127.0.0.1 | 1025 |
| Zoho Mail | imappro.zoho.com | 993 | smtppro.zoho.com | 587 |
| Gmail | imap.gmail.com | 993 | smtp.gmail.com | 587 |
Port Reference
| Port | Protocol | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 993 | IMAP + SSL/TLS | Recommended — encrypted from connection start |
| 143 | IMAP + STARTTLS | Encrypted after initial handshake |
| 587 | SMTP + STARTTLS | Standard for sending email |
| 465 | SMTP + SSL | Legacy, still used by some providers |
| 1143 | IMAP (ProtonMail Bridge) | Local only |
| 1025 | SMTP (ProtonMail Bridge) | Local only |
Troubleshooting
IMAP access is blocked by my provider
IMAP access is blocked by my provider
Some providers disable IMAP by default. Check your email account settings for an option to enable IMAP/POP access. Gmail calls this “IMAP access” under Settings → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
I get a self-signed certificate error
I get a self-signed certificate error
If your provider uses a self-signed TLS certificate, you may need to disable certificate validation. This is uncommon on major providers but may apply to self-hosted mail servers.
My provider isn't listed above
My provider isn't listed above
Search your provider’s help docs for “IMAP settings” or “email client settings.” Nearly all providers publish these settings in their support documentation.