Learn how POP3 and IMAP protocols work and compare their advantages and disadvantages. POP3 only allows downloading emails to one device, while IMAP syncs messages across multiple devices and supports more functionality.

If you're trying to add your Outlook.com account to Outlook or another mail app, you might need the POP, IMAP, or SMTP settings. You can find them below or by viewing them in your Outlook.com settings.

Learn the difference between IMAP and POP, two methods to access email from different devices. IMAP lets you read messages online, while POP downloads them to your computer.

Download copies of POP3 email messages, but don't delete them from the mail server so that you can view them multiple computers.

POP3 is an older protocol that was originally designed to be used on only one computer. Unlike modern protocols that use two-way synchronization, POP3 only supports one-way email synchronization, only allowing users to download emails from a server to a client.

Set up POP or IMAP account in Outlook for Android. In Outlook for Android, go to Settings > Add Account > Add Email Account. Enter email address. Tap Continue. When asked to select an email provider, choose IMAP or POP3. Toggle Advanced settings on and enter your password and server settings.

If you select POP3 or IMAP in the Account Type box, configure the following settings: In the Incoming mail server box, type the name of the server in lowercase letters. The name may be in the form of "mail.contoso.com." Or, the name may be in the form of an IP address, such as 172.12.0.0.

The incoming mail server for a POP account may also be called the POP, or POP3, server. For example, if your email provider is example.com, the incoming mail server is likely pop3.example.com. Override default port. To be able to edit the port number that follows the server address, select this check box.

You'll need to know your account type, the incoming and outgoing server names, and the SSL and port settings for your email account. You can either contact your email provider or, if you're using a popular email service, you can find these settings in the POP and IMAP email settings for Outlook topic.

Change your mailbox sync settings. Add a new email account. Select Start , enter Mail, and choose the app from the results. If this is the first time you've opened the Mail app, you’ll see a Welcome page. Select Add account to get started.