IMAP is a protocol that keeps email on the server and syncs across devices. Learn how IMAP works and how it differs from POP.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard protocol that lets email clients access messages stored on a mail server. Instead of downloading and deleting mail like some POP setups, IMAP keeps messages on the server and synchronizes folders and state across devices.
This makes IMAP ideal for modern workflows where users read email on a phone, laptop, and webmail interchangeably. Actions like marking as read, moving folders, or deleting can be reflected across all devices.
IMAP doesn’t directly determine deliverability, but it affects how users interact with messages and how organizations manage mailbox access. It’s one of the core standards that makes email interoperable across clients.