What are Gmail's incoming and outgoing servers?

If you want to use Gmail via other email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail, you need to provide the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) settings so that the email client you are using knows how to retrieve your emails. The procedure is easier than it might seem. Read on to learn how to set your incoming and outgoing Gmail servers.

Is a Gmail account IMAP or POP?

Gmail mainly runs on the IMAP system. However, it also offers POP server access.

How to enable IMAP?

• Go to Gmail > Settings > See all settings.
• Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
• In the "IMAP access" section, select Enable IMAP > Save Changes.

What are the incoming and outgoing servers for Gmail?

Setting up Gmail on a mail client will require the following incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) mail servers:

• Gmail's Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server: imap.gmail.com (SSL enabled, port 993).
• Gmail's Outgoing Mail Server will use the SMTP mail server address provided by your local ISP. You can also use smtp.gmail.com (SSL enabled, port 465, port for TLS/STARTTLS - 587).

Use this table to have the port information at your fingertips.

How to find my incoming and outgoing Gmail servers?

• To find your incoming and outgoing Gmail servers, log into your Gmail account and go to Settings.
• Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
• Select Enable IMAP or Enable POP.
• Click Save changes.
• You will see the ports number next to IMAP/SMTP tabs.