Configuring IMAP and POP access

You can set up various email programs by using the IMAP or POP access and SMTP authentication to work with IBM® Web Mail Cloud to view and send email. Various email clients and mobile devices require different steps for configuring IMAP, POP, or SMTP.

Before you begin

Note: This procedure is only applicable for IBM Web Mail Cloud. To configure IMAP for SmartCloud Notes®, see Enabling IMAP access

About this task

To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP authentication for any device or email client, you must have the following information:
  • Your IBM Web Mail Cloud email address.
    If you have more than one Connections Cloud email address, you are in one of the following situations:
    • If you select the Use My Organization's Login link on the Connections Cloud login page to log in, the email address that you enter here might be different from your Web Mail Cloud email address.
    • If your company has multiple Connections Cloud subscriptions, you might have an email address for each subscription. For example, your company might be using Connections Cloud S2 and Web Mail Cloud.
    Your Web Mail Cloud email address is included in the Getting Started Guide sent to you when you first logged in. You can also verify your Web Mail Cloud email address by selecting Preferences > Basics, and checking the Account name under Mail server settings.
  • Your email password.

    A system-generated one-time password is set for you. You must log in at https://apps.na.collabserv.com (opens new window) and change this password before you can use your account.

  • Your incoming POP or IMAP mail server information, including host name, user name, password.

    Web Mail Cloud supports only SSL connections, so make sure that for IMAP, port 993 is available. For POP, port 995 must be available. Your mail server information can be found in Preferences > Basics, listed under Mail server settings.

  • Your outgoing SMTP mail server information, including host name, user name, password.

    Web Mail Cloud supports only SSL connections, so make sure that port 465 or port 587 is available.

Regardless of your device or email client, the following information applies:
  • Your incoming and outgoing mail servers require the use of a user name and password to successfully send and receive email.
  • If requested by the email client, select any check boxes that pertain to incoming and outgoing mail servers that require authentication. Also, make sure that you use the same settings for the incoming and outgoing mail servers. If not, you might not be able to send or receive email.
  • SSL must be on.
  • The speed of your Internet connection affects the time that is required when you set up IMAP or POP.
  • IMAP is the preferred protocol. If IMAP is not available, use POP.
  • When you access your email through IMAP, the maximum length of a folder name is 255 characters and there is a maximum of five levels of folders. Non-ASCII characters in a folder name are encoded by using base64 with UTF-7.

If your device or email client is not listed, see the Other email clients topic for general instructions or contact your account administrator or email provider for assistance.

  • iPhone or iPad
    To set up your IBM Web Mail Cloud mail account on your iPhone or iPad by using IMAP, POP, or SMTP access, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol.
  • Apple Mail 4.0
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Apple Mail 4.0, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol.
  • Outlook 2003
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Microsoft Outlook 2003, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol. After you set up IMAP, POP, and SMTP access, you can migrate your Microsoft Outlook 2003 email.
  • Outlook 2007
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Microsoft Outlook 2007, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol. After you set up IMAP, POP, and SMTP access, you can change the location where your sent email is saved.
  • Outlook Express
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Outlook Express®, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol. After you set up IMAP, POP, and SMTP access, you can change the location where your sent email is saved.
  • Outlook 2010
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Microsoft Outlook 2010, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol.
  • Thunderbird
    To set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for Thunderbird Version 3 or later, complete the following steps. IMAP is the preferred protocol. After you set up IMAP, POP, and SMTP access, you can migrate your Thunderbird email.
  • Other email clients
    Follow these instructions to set up IMAP, POP, or SMTP access for other email clients. If you have problems, or need information for another email program, contact that email client customer support team.
Parent topic: Advanced mail tasks