Guide Note

IMAP, short for Internet Message Access Protocol allows users to access their email that is on a remote server from their computer. Almost all e-mail clients support this protocol, but many of the free webmail services, with exception to Gmail, do not support IMAP or POP3.

Fast Facts

1. First Launched: 1986
2. Designed by: Mark Crispin
3. Other major standard is POP3

IMAP supports connected and disconnected modes. In connected mode, the e-mail is still stored on the other server and the e-mail client reads it off of the server. In disconnected mode, the e-mail messages are downloaded to the remote computer and can be read at any time without an Internet connection or with a connection.

IMAP has several key advantages, such as the ability to connect multiple clients to the same mailbox, whereas POP3 can have a max of one. It also features a built-in extension mechanism, in which it may be expanded at any point in the future. With IMAP the messages can be downloaded instantly, instead of having to request the messages manually.