IMAP
Server mail access
IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, a standard for retrieving email that keeps messages stored on the server rather than downloading them to a single device.
This allows access from multiple devices—phone, laptop, tablet—with everything synchronized: I switched to IMAP so I could check email from anywhere.
Contrast with POP, which downloads and typically deletes from the server.
email
Message receiving folder
- foldersPaper organizers with pockets
- draftsPreliminary written versions
- sentCaused to go
- trashDiscarded worthless material
spam · junk · archive · flagged · unread · messages · sync · thread
protocol
Email retrieval standard
- SMTPEmail transmission protocol
- SSLWeb encryption protocol
- TLSNetwork encryption protocol
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
encryption · client-server · idle · fetch · expunge · UID · flags · namespace