What is the difference between IMAP and POP3?

POP3The protocol allows the email client to download emails from the server, but operations on the client (such as moving emails and marking read emails) are not reported to the server, for example, if the client receives three emails from the mailbox and moves them to other folders, the emails on the mailbox server are not moved at the same time.

WhileIMAPProvides two-way communication between webmail and the email client. All client operations are fed back to the server. Operations on emails and emails on the server are also carried out.

At the same time,IMAPImagePOP3This provides a convenient email download service that allows users to read offline.IMAPThe abstract browsing function allows you to determine whether to download emails after reading the arrival time, topic, sender, size, and other information of all emails. In addition,IMAPBetter support for access to new emails from multiple devices at any time.

In short,IMAPIt provides users with a more convenient and reliable experience.POP3It is easier to lose or download the same email multiple times,IMAPThese problems are well avoided through the bidirectional synchronization between the mail client and webmail.

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