There are plenty of tutorials available online on how to setup Gmail IMAP Server for Thunderbird, Outlook, Apple Mail and all the other mobile devices. I’m not going to repeat these tutorial, what I am going to discuss today are common errors in setting up your Gmail IMAP server. They are: Enable IMAP/POP in Gmail Settings:
One of the many common error or mistake in setting up IMAP access for your gmail is not enabling the POP/IMAP feature in Gmail itself, this can be done by enabling it via “Setting” –> “Forwarding and POP/IMAP”.
IMAP SSL And Port
To access Gmail via IMAP/POP, you need to enable secure connection (SSL) in your email client. The default non secure port is 143 or 465 (depending on the email client) and is not compatible with Gmail, change the port settings to 993.
Why IMAP access?
Why IMAP instead of POP? Well, IMAP access enables your mail box to be synced automatically and it is up to date at all times, unlike POP where you have to click on the ‘Update’ button.
How To Setup Gmail IMAP Server Access:
Mail Clients:
- Outlook Express (Windows)
- Outlook 2003 (Windows)
- Outlook 2007 (Windows)
- Apple Mail 2
- Apple Mail 3 (Leopard)
- Windows Mail
- Thunderbird 2
Mobile Devices:
