What Is IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)?
WhatIs, Monday, March 3rd, 2025
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard retrieval protocol for receiving email. It stores email messages on a mail server, enabling the recipient to view and manipulate them from any device.
IMAP enables users to organize messages into folders, flag messages for urgency or follow-up, and save draft messages on the server. Users can also have multiple email client applications that sync with the email server to show which messages have been read or are still unread.
How does IMAP work?
As an incoming email protocol, IMAP is the intermediary between the email server and the client. When users read an email using IMAP, they read them off the server. They don't download or store the email on their local devices. This means the email is not tied to a particular device, and users can access it from any location in the world using different devices, such as PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets.