Here's the Lowdown: You want to easily access and manage your email from your computer and your mobile device, but the technical setup can be confusing. This article attempts to simplify the need-to-know information about SMTP settings, ports, and getting started with common email clients and/or mobile devices using IMAP, POP, or Exchange.
Each of these email protocols operates on a web-based system to transfer messages from a server. In addition, each one supports most, if not all, email clients. So, no matter what email client you choose, you can access your email on a remote server.
IMAP supports both online and offline account access. It provides advanced sync features, and lets you view and manage messages without removing them from the server. Therefore, any changes you make are saved and reflected from all locations.
The POP protocol lets you read email messages without a constant Internet connection. POP downloads the messages from your server to your local computer or phone. While you can save a copy of the messages on your server, changes made from the local device are not saved on the server.
The Exchange ActiveSync® protocol provides a robust syncing tool for all of your email, calendar, contacts, and other communications between your desktop, mobile device, or Internet connection. With your Hosted Exchange Email account and your Exchange ActiveSync-enabled phone, you have secure access to communications from anywhere.
For easy and safe access to your email accounts, IMAP is recommended. If you are a small business or need access to more than just email, Exchange provides the highest level of communication and syncing.
See Setting up Your Email with IMAP or Setting up Your Email with POP for general instructions, or see below for specific client setup instructions.
TIP: To ensure that a copy of your email messages is left on the server, you can modify the settings of your email client.
The following information provides instructions for setting up your email account with popular PC email clients.
Setting up your POP or IMAP email address in:
The following information provides instructions for setting up your email account with popular Mac email clients.
Setting up your POP or IMAP email address in:
The following information provides instructions for setting up your email account with popular mobile phones or devices.
Setting up your POP or IMAP email address in:
TIP: Access your POP or IMAP mobile email through mobilemail.secureserver.net or mobilemail.domainname.com, where domainname is your domain name.
SMTP email problems are among the most common. While these problems are typically easy to find and fix, they often cause the most headaches for email account management. The first step is to identify the error or problem. Then, you can research the possible solutions and get back to emailing.
If you are unable to send email, you should:
In addition to the above list, see What do I do if I have trouble connecting to my email? for more troubleshooting help.
Many mobile service providers use their SMTP server port as a default. In most circumstances, this doesn't need to be changed.
As a courtesy, we provide information about how to use certain third-party products, but we do not endorse or directly support third-party products and we are not responsible for the functions or reliability of such products. Apple Mail® and iPhone® are registered trademarks of Apple. Entourage®, Outlook®, Exchange®, and Outlook Express® are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Thunderbird® is a registered trademark of Mozilla. All rights reserved.