POP3 (Post Office Protocol Version 3)

POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is a protocol used to download email from a mail server.

Unlike IMAP, POP3 is designed primarily for a single device.

A typical POP3 session:

• Connect to the mail server.
• Download new messages.
• Optionally delete them from the server.
• Disconnect.

Mail Server
      │
      ▼
Computer
      │
Messages Downloaded

Port 995 is recommended.

• Simple protocol
• Works well with one device
• Allows offline reading
• Reduces server storage usage

• Poor synchronization
• Messages may disappear from the server
• Folders are usually stored locally
• Not ideal for multiple devices

Many email clients offer:

Leave messages on server

When enabled:

• Messages remain on the server.
• Other devices can still access them.

Modern POP3 connections should use TLS.

Recommended configuration:

Port 995
SSL/TLS Enabled

The Telenegar Mail Check service can verify:

• POP3 connectivity
• POP3 TLS support
• Certificate validity

• POP3 always deletes messages from the server.
  • False. Most email clients allow you to keep a copy on the server.

• POP3 is obsolete.
  • False. It is still used, although IMAP is preferred for most users.

POP3 is suitable when:

• You use only one computer.
• You want local copies of all messages.
• Server storage is limited.

IMAP is usually the better choice when accessing email from multiple devices.

• IMAP
• SMTP
• Mail Check

email pop3 mail tls