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IMAP is the standard email protocol that is used for retrieving emails.
This special layer allows computers and servers to share messages with each other.
It is IMAP that determines how the server or computer will work on an email.
It makes accessing emails easy for users.
Lets understand what IMAP is, how it works, its benefits, and other vital details.
What Is IMAP?
It is one of the most used email protocols in the industry that allows users to access emails seamlessly.
Most servers and email clients, including Google, Outlook, and Mozilla Thunderbird, support IMAP.
Since it is stored centrally, any changes to a specific email are dynamically updated.
And you will see the change when you reach the email from another gadget.
However, you will need an internet connection to access and see those changes in the email.
IMAP largely depends upon the TCP/IP transport layer because it helps read and modify email over the internet.
How Does IMAP Work?
IMAP is an incoming email protocol that acts as an intermediate layer between the email server and the client.
Due to this, IMAP allows you to access emails from any machine and any location you are residing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of IMAP
Every email retrieval protocol has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Lets discuss those associated with IMAP.
Disadvantages of IMAP
Although IMAP offers many advantages, it has some disadvantages as well.
However, when IMAP is integrated with TLS protocol, the login details can be encrypted while communicating.
Therefore, many organizations prefer to avoid using IMAP.
IMAP vs. POP3
POP3 and IMAP are two of the widely used email protocols.
Lets discuss some differences between them.
Along with Microsoft, many email clients also have stopped supporting this protocol.
However, there are some email clients that still support this email retrieving protocol and continue to bring improvement.
Answer:IMAP could be safer because all the emails are stored on the server.
Answer:You wont lose emails if you import and export in Outlook while changing from POP to IMAP.
Final Words
This article will give you an idea of IMAP and how it works.
This email retrieval protocol makes accessing emails quite a straightforward task.
It offers many perks and features that make IMAP an excellent choice for many email clients.
Next, check outapps to clean up your email inbox.
