IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a protocol that lets email clients (such as Outlook, Thunderbird and Apple Mail) manage emails on the server in a synchronized way. Unlike POP3, with IMAP emails stay on the server and look the same when accessed from different devices.
📌 Key Features of IMAP
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Server-based: emails are stored on the server instead of the device.
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Multi-device synchronization: the same mailbox can be accessed from different devices such as phones, tablets and computers.
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Real-time updates: an email deleted, moved or read on one device appears the same way on other devices.
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Folder support: emails can be sorted into folders, and this structure is kept on the server.
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Port number: usually 143; port 993 is used with SSL/TLS.
