Two servers, two jobs
IMAP is how an email app reads your mailbox. SMTP is how it sends messages. Each needs a server name, a port and an encryption setting, plus your username and password.
Ports and encryption
The most common secure settings are IMAP on port 993 with SSL/TLS, and SMTP on port 465 with SSL/TLS or port 587 with STARTTLS. Avoid unencrypted ports (143 and 25) for business mail.
- IMAP: port 993, SSL/TLS
- SMTP: port 465, SSL/TLS
- SMTP: port 587, STARTTLS
Where to find your settings
Look in your email host's control panel or help pages for 'email client setup' or 'connect devices'. Orbis Mail includes ready-made settings for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, 20i, IONOS, Fasthosts, OVHcloud and cPanel hosts.
Fixing common errors
Authentication failed usually means a wrong password, or a provider that needs an app password (Gmail, and some Microsoft 365 set-ups). Certificate errors usually mean the server name doesn't match the host's certificate: use the exact secure server name your host provides. Timeouts usually mean the wrong port.