POP3 vs IMAP: Which one should you use for importing emails?
When you're setting up email import, you'll need to choose between POP3 and IMAP. If you're not sure which one to pick, this guide will help you decide. Spoiler: for most people, it doesn't matter much.
The short answer
If your email provider supports both protocols and you're not sure which to choose, go with IMAP. It's the more modern option and tends to be more reliable. But honestly, either one will work fine for importing emails to Gmail.
What's the actual difference?
POP3 and IMAP are both protocols for retrieving emails from a mail server, but they work in different ways. The differences matter more for regular email usage than for import purposes, but here's the breakdown:
POP3 (Post Office Protocol)
POP3 was designed in an era when people typically checked email from one computer. It downloads emails from the server to your device, and traditionally deletes them from the server afterward (though this behavior can be changed). It's a simple, one-way transfer.
Think of it like picking up mail from a physical mailbox: you take the letters home, and the mailbox is empty afterward.
- Usually only accesses the Inbox folder
- Downloads complete messages all at once
- Simple protocol with fewer things that can go wrong
- Works well for one-device setups or one-time migrations
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
IMAP was designed for the modern world where people check email from multiple devices. It keeps emails on the server and synchronizes them with your device. When you read an email on your phone, it shows as read on your laptop too.
Think of it like a shared Google Doc: everyone sees the same version, and changes sync everywhere.
- Can access all folders (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, custom folders)
- Can download just headers first, then full messages on demand
- Two-way sync: changes on one device appear on others
- Better for people who use email on multiple devices
Which one should you choose?
For the specific purpose of importing emails into Gmail, the differences between POP3 and IMAP are less significant than they are for regular email usage. Here's what actually matters:
Choose POP3 if:
- You only need to import emails from your Inbox
- Your email provider only supports POP3
- You want a simple, straightforward import process
Choose IMAP if:
- You want to import from specific folders, not just Inbox
- You're importing from a large mailbox
- You're not sure - IMAP is the safer default
Common server settings
If you're not sure what settings to use, here are the POP3 and IMAP servers for some popular email providers. All of these use SSL/TLS encryption.
| Provider | POP3 Server | IMAP Server |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Mail | pop.mail.yahoo.com:995 | imap.mail.yahoo.com:993 |
| Outlook.com | outlook.office365.com:995 | outlook.office365.com:993 |
| AOL Mail | pop.aol.com:995 | imap.aol.com:993 |
| iCloud Mail | Not available | imap.mail.me.com:993 |
What about with MailPorter?
MailPorter supports both POP3 and IMAP, and the setup process is the same either way. Regardless of which protocol you use, your emails end up in Gmail the same way - through the Gmail API.
If you're using a common email provider, MailPorter can usually auto-detect the server settings for you. Just enter your email address and password, and it figures out the rest.
If you try one protocol and run into issues, you can always delete the sync job and create a new one with the other protocol. It's not a permanent decision.
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MailPorter works with both POP3 and IMAP. The free plan includes one sync job with unlimited emails.
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