IMAP vs POP3: Key Differences and When to Use Each Protocol
IMAP and POP3 are the two protocols used by email apps to receive mail, and choosing between them affects how your messages are stored and synced. IMAP keeps emails on the server and synchronises read status, folders, and deletions across all devices in real time. POP3 downloads messages to a single device and typically removes them from the server, making it a simple but isolated solution. For most users with multiple devices, IMAP is the recommended default, while POP3 suits those who read mail on one computer and are willing to manage their own local backups. Neither protocol handles sending — that task falls to SMTP, which is required separately regardless of which receiving protocol is used.
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