Is Gmail POP or IMAP for Outlook?

Google's Gmail Web-based email service runs on the Internet Message Access Protocol system, but it also offers Post Office Protocol mail server access. Gmail's IMAP and POP mail servers handle email messages in slightly different ways, so choose the protocol that works best for the mail programs on your computer or mobile device and the type of access you require.

About IMAP Email

1. If you only use the Web-based version of Gmail, then access is via the IMAP protocol. The IMAP email protocol stores all mail messages and email folders on the server, so that any changes made when you access Gmail on one device also show on any other device used to check your Gmail emails. IMAP is therefore useful if you need to access email on multiple computers or mobile devices.

About POP Email

1. The POP email protocol downloads all email messages from the mail server to the email program on your computer or mobile device and then typically deletes the downloaded messages from the server. The changes you make, such as deleting a read message from your inbox or sending a new message to a contact, won't show when you access the same email account from another computer or mobile device unless you have installed additional synchronization software. Because POP email downloads your messages rather than leaving them on the server, the system is useful for accessing email while you're offline.

Email Programs

1. Gmail allows access to its IMAP and POP mail servers so you can set up the email software on your computer or mobile device to work with the service. Most premium and some free email applications offer both IMAP and POP email compatibility, while other free email programs may offer only the POP email service. If in doubt, check the email program's help documentation or the user manual for your mobile device. The email program setup procedure varies depending on the software, but most applications include an "Add Account" feature in the settings, tools or options menus. Some mail applications include a quick setup button specifically for Gmail to help you configure the program.

Enable IMAP or POP Access on Gmail

1. Before configuring PC or mobile device email software to work with Gmail, you must enable IMAP or POP access in the Settings section of your Web-based Gmail account. Sign in to Gmail and click the gears icon; select "Settings" in the context menu and then click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab. Click to enable POP and IMAP access and then select your mail preferences from the available options. Enable both POP and IMAP options if you want to ensure that any mail application can access Gmail. Click the "Save Changes" button to implement your changes. Click the "Configuration Instructions" link for specific setup information for your mail program, including the POP and IMAP mail server address information.

   For Microsoft Windows 8.1 and 10 operating system users, please follow the directions below to add a Google Apps IMAP E-mail account to Outlook.

   Enable IMAP in Gmail Settings

   • Sign in to your Gmail account via webmail
   • Click the gear icon at the top right of the screen
   • Select Settings
   • Click Forwarding and POP/IMAP
   • Select Enable IMAP
   • Click Save Changes
   • At the top right of your browser window left click your profile photo/icon and click the My Account button
   • On the My Account screen locate Sign-In & Security and click ‘Apps with account access‘
   • On the Sign-In & Security screen locate ‘Allow less secure apps:’ and click the toggle to turn ON

   Now that you have enabled IMAP in Gmail, and enabled Outlook to access your account, you need to configure your account in Outlook

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   Outlook Configuration

   Step One

   Open Control Panel and then click on Mail (32-bit):

   

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   Step Two

   In Mail Setup select the E-mail Accounts button.

   

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   Step Three

   Under Account Settings Select ‘New’ from the top left of the window.

   

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   Step Four

   On the Add New Account window select ‘Manually configure server settings or additional server types’ and click the Next button.

   

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   Step Five

   In the Add New Account window ensure the Internet E-mail radio button is selected and click the Next button.

   

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   Step Six

   In the Add New Account window enter your username, password and mail server information for the new e-mail account as shown below. Ensure that you replace Your Name with your own name, as well as replacing “[email protected]” with your specific email address. Verify the information is correct and click the ‘More Settings’ button.

   

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   Step Seven

   On the Internet E-mail Settings window select the ‘Outgoing Server’ tab and ensure the radio button is checked in front of ‘My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication’.

   

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   Step Eight

   Select the ‘Advanced’ tab and enter the Incoming and Outgoing server port values as shown in the figure below.  Use the drop down boxes to select ‘SSL’ for the Incoming and Outgoing servers.

   

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   Step Nine

   On the Add New Account window select the Next button.

   

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   Step Ten

   Assuming all information was entered correctly, Outlook will automatically test the account settings and you will see Green checks (as shown in the figure below) confirming successful addition of the new account.  Click the ‘Close’ button.

   Should I use IMAP or POP for Gmail in Outlook?

   Step 1: Make sure POP is the best way to read your emails IMAP and POP are both ways to read your Gmail messages in other email clients. IMAP can be used across multiple devices. Emails are synced in real time. POP can only be used for a single computer.

   Is Gmail a POP or IMAP?

   Gmail supports IMAP clients that use IMAP4rev1, including: Microsoft Outlook. Windows Mail.

   Should I use POP or IMAP for Outlook?

   IMAP is better if you are going to be accessing your email from multiple devices, such as a work computer and a smart phone. POP3 works better if you are only using one device, but have a very large number of emails. It is also better if you have a poor internet connection and need to access your emails offline.

   Can I use POP Gmail in Outlook?

   If you want to view your Gmail messages in an email client such as Microsoft Outlook, configure your Gmail POP server settings on the client. After you do so, configure the email client to download your messages from the Gmail server. POP settings are needed only to access incoming messages.