IMAP

IMAP is a protocol for retrieving email from a mail server. Along with POP3, it is one of the two methods of managing incoming mail

Differences From POP3

POP3 is the most standard way of checking mail. However, IMAP has quite a few advantages over POP3: - By default, POP3 deletes messages from the remote server, and manages all mail on the local computer - IMAP manages all of its mail on the remote server. - IMAP works well in a situation where you might check your mail from multiple devices. - IMAP is more efficient - it uses message flags and transfers only the message headers when it can

We do recommend using IMAP instead of POP3 whenever possible

Accessing Your Bravenet Email Through IMAP

The exact steps to set up your email client differ based on the client. In general you will need the following information. This assumes that you've created a Bravenet email address in the email tab of your account already.

• IMAP server: mail.bravehost.com, or you can use mail.yourdomain.com where yourdomain.com is the domain of your Bravenet email address.
• IMAP port: 143
• IMAP Username: the email address you are checking
• Password: the password for this address. You can change this in the email tab of your Bravenet account.
• Authentication Type: Password

Outgoing mail uses SMTP. The information you need for that:

• SMTP server: mail.bravehost.com or mail.yourdomain.com where yourdomain.com is the domain of your Bravenet email address.
• SMTP username: the email address you are checking
• SMTP port: 587 (you may be able to use port 25 but this is disabled for many users)
• Password: the password for this address. You can change this in the email tab of your Bravenet account.
• Authentication: PLAIN

IMAP With Microsoft Outlook

Note - this is for Microsoft Outlook, as it ships with Microsoft Office (it has a yellow icon). This does not include Outlook Express, which is installed by default on Windows XP - see below for Outlook Express instructions.

1. Start Microsoft Outlook
2. Click the Tools menu, then the E-Mail Accounts option
3. Click Add a new e-mail account then click Next
4. Choose IMAP from the options then click Next
5. Fill out the following fields:
   1. Your Name - enter your name here
   2. E-Mail Address - enter the Bravenet email address you are adding here
   3. Incoming mail server - enter mail.bravehost.com
   4. Outgoing mail server - enter mail.bravehost.com
   5. Username - enter your Bravenet email address
   6. Password - enter the password for the Bravenet email address
6. Click the More Settings... button
7. Change to the Outgoing Server tab, and enable the My outgoing server require authentication checkbox
8. Change to the Advanced tab, and change the Outgoing Server port number from 25 (the default) to 587
9. Click the OK button to close the advanced settings window, then click Next on the E-Mail Accounts window
10. Click the Finish button on the next page and your account should now work correctly

Make sure to send a test email to another email address you have access to to verify that everything is set up correctly.

IMAP with Outlook Express

Note - these instructions are for Outlook Express (a blue and white icon), that ships with Windows XP. If you have Outlook, with a yellow icon, that ships with Microsoft Office, see the Outlook directions above. If you have Windows Mail that ships with Vista or Windows 7, the directions are similar to this, and will be added shortly.

1. Start Outlook Express
2. If you don't see the Internet Connection Wizard popup:
   1. click the Tools menu;
   2. then the Accounts option;
   3. then the Add button. Choose mail from the options listed
3. You should see the Internet Connection Wizard now. Enter your full name here then click Next.
4. Enter the Bravenet email address you are adding then click Next.
5. On this screen, change the following:
   1. Change the incoming mail server option from POP3 to IMAP.
   2. Enter mail.bravehost.com in both the Incoming and Outgoing server fields
6. then click Next.
7. Enter the Bravenet email address in the Account Name field, and then the password for that address in the Password field, then click Next.
8. Click Finish to close the window. If you are asked to download your mail or import folders, click No. Now, If you don't see the Internet Accounts screen, open it in the Tools menu under the Accounts option
9. Click on the account you just set up - it will likely be named mail.bravehost.com. Then, click on the Properties button.
   1. Change to the Servers tab
   2. Enable the My server requires authentication checkbox
   3. Change to the Advanced tab
   4. change the Outgoing Mail port number from 25 (the default) to 587
10. Click OK to save your changes and close the advanced properties window.
11. Click Close to close the Internet Accounts window
12. You may now be asked if you want to download the folders from the server you added. Click Yes, and then OK on the next window
13. Either way, click the Send/Recv button to sync up your email. Everything should now work!

Try sending a test message to verify that your email is set up correctly.