IMAP, or Internet Message Access Protocol, is a standard email protocol used for retrieving emails from a mail server. Unlike older protocols like POP3, which typically downloads emails to a single device, IMAP is designed to keep your emails synchronized across multiple devices—such as your laptop, smartphone, and tablet. When you use IMAP, your emails are stored on the server, and your email client (like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird) displays a live view of those messages.

This means any action you take—reading, deleting, or organizing emails into folders—is instantly reflected on all connected devices. It's the preferred method for modern email usage because it provides flexibility and ensures you have access to your entire mailbox from anywhere.

Key advantages of using IMAP include:

• Multi-Device Access: Check your email seamlessly from any device.
• Server-Side Storage: Emails are safely stored on the server, reducing risk from local device failure.
• Real-Time Synchronization: Changes made in one place update everywhere automatically.

For hosting users, configuring an email account with IMAP usually requires entering specific server settings provided by your hosting provider, such as:

• Incoming Mail Server: mail.yourdomain.com (or similar)
• Port: 993 (with SSL/TLS encryption for security)
• Protocol: IMAP

Using IMAP helps maintain an organized, accessible, and secure email experience, making it an essential tool for personal and professional communication.