IMAP is supported on all of our Advanced and Reseller Plans. Other hosting accounts do not support IMAP at the moment.
IMAP versus POP3
pop3
With pop3, emails are stored on the server in your inbox until you check the account and download them to your own computer (via Outlook or other email program) where you can sort them into folders on your local computer. Usually the emails are then removed or cleaned from the server.
The advantage is that you store email on your computer so you can carry out admin tasks offline (creating, deleting, reading, etc), you don't need to be connected to the Internet.
The disadvantage is that to access past emails you need to be using the same computer.
imap
IMAP is different in that the email folders are stored on the server and email can be kept there. You still have the option of downloading your email to your computer aswell but most of the admin work for the email account takes place directly on the server.
The advantage is that you can check your email from anywhere using any computer and all your past emails will be on the server for you to see.
The disadvantage is that you need to be connected to the internet to carry out tasks on the email box. Additionally, all webspace taken up with your stored emails forms part of your hosting webspace quota.
IMAP Settings
To use IMAP you first need an IMAP supported email application. Not all email applications support IMAP so check to make sure yours does.
If you have a firewall connected, make sure that port 143 is open to access IMAP traffic.
You should setup your email mailbox in the normal way from the user Control Panel and then make sure that you specify 'IMAP' in your local IMAP supported email application.
You should then be able to access your mail via IMAP using your normal email username and password.
