Gmail IMAP settings: What they mean and how to set them up

If you peek into Gmail's settings, it's all pretty straightforward until you notice Gmail's IMAP settings and wonder what they're used for. This article explains the Gmail IMAP settings and how to configure them.

Continue reading: How to configure Gmail's SMTP settings

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Gmail IMAP is when you want to download your Gmail emails to an email client on your computer, e.g. B.Outlook. IMAP downloads the messages and syncs your changes to the Gmail servers, so everything stays the same.

A guide to Gmail's IMAP settings

Not everyone likes using the online version of Gmail. Some still prefer the old-fashioned way of using email clients like Microsoft Outlook, iOS Mail, or macOS Mail. Some even like to use the outdated and now obsolete Mozilla Thunderbird. Others have employers who force them to use it.

If you find yourself in the email client camp, intentionally or unintentionally, then IMAP is there to make your life easier. It is very easy to set up as you will see below.

How to set up Gmail IMAP

On the desktop, go to Gmail's Forwarding and POP/IMAP page, scroll down until you reach the IMAP Settings section and select Enable IMAP.

Mark O'Neill / Android Authority

If you have chosen Enable IMAP, new options will appear, but don't change any of them. Just choose save Changes.

Mark O'Neill / Android Authority

Use these configurations to access your email from your email client.

Incoming mail server (IMAP).	imap.googlemail.com Requires SSL: Yes Port: 993
Outgoing email server (SMTP).	smtp.googlemail.com Requires SSL: Yes Requires TLS: Yes (if available) Authentication Required: Yes Port for SSL: 465 Port for TLS/TLS START: 587
Full name or display name	Your name
Account name, username or email address	Your full email address
password	Your password

All information may not be required. Thunderbird, for example, doesn't ask for your name.

The screenshot below shows what the email client configuration screen should look like after filling in the correct Gmail IMAP options.

Mark O'Neill / Android Authority

The difference is where your email is stored. IMAP messages are downloaded to your local email client and synced to the email server (Gmail in this case). So when you send a message using Outlook, that message is uploaded to Gmail's servers to be stored in yours sent folder.

On the other hand, POP only downloads your emails to your local email client. New messages are not sent back to the email server.

What is the difference between IMAP and SMTP?

IMAP retrieves messages from your email server and downloads them for you. SMTP, on the other hand, is for sending emails from the sender (you) to another email server.

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