Gmail is the most widely used email provider in the world, but you may not want to use it through the web or dedicated email app. Here’s how to set up Gmail to use IMAP, so you may access it through your favorite email client.
Why Use IMAP With Gmail?
Since Google started offering Gmail as a free service in 2004, its allowances have been extraordinarily generous, and even today, will give you 15GB of storage. Gmail also comes as an app on almost every mainstream Android phone, giving it unquestioned market dominance. Of course,alternative email clientsnow offer similar or better services than Gmail.
But by signing in to the Gmail web interface or using the Gmail app, you give Google insight into what you’re doing elsewhere on the web, and your activity can be associated to your Google account. Google can eventrack you when you’re using a private or incognito window. While this can be useful, you may consider it an unnecessary intrusion.
If you want to use third-party email clients with Gmail, you need to enable IMAP and SMTP.
How to Enable IMAP and SMTP in Gmail
In the Gmail web interface, click the cog icon to open the sidebar, then pressSee all settings. This section gives you access to all the configuration options available in Gmail. Click on forwarding and POP/IMAP, and scroll down toIMAP. By default, IMAP is disabled. To enable it, click the radio button next toEnable IMAP.
you may also set options for what you want to happen when you mark as message as deleted in IMAP, as well as options for archiving, and expunging. When you’re happy with your choices, clickSave changes.
Configure Your Email Client to Work With Gmail
Now Gmail is set up to work with IMAP, you may need to configure your email client to access Gmail using IMAP.
While many email clients will automatically configure themselves as soon as you enter your Gmail address, others will not. There are some greatfree email clients for your desktop. These are the settings you need:
You also need to enter SMTP settings in order to send emails using Gmail.
It’s Easy to Use IMAP With Gmail
By enabling IMAP with Gmail, you’re able to access your Gmail emails using your email client of choice. It’s more secure, and you only need to set it up once.
