1. What’s the difference between IMAP and SMTP?
IMAP connects to the server of your email provider and is used to receive email, whilst SMTP is used to send email to other servers.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Standard) is a protocol that asks your email service provider to store all of your messages and folders on its own servers. Thus, regardless of whether you are using an email client or webmail, you will always be able to access to your email account and view any received messages, as they are always saved on their server.
STMP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used to deliver emails to different destinations from your account. It allows your email client to connect to your provider’s server in order to send outbound email, particularly to other servers.
2. Does Mailbird Support IMAP? / Does Mailbird Support POP3?
Yes. Mailbird use IMAP or POP3 to connect to the majority of email service providers. When an email address is entered, Mailbird’s technology can instantly determine the server settings.
If it is unable to detect the server settings, you can manually configure your email by inputting the information your service provider has provided for their server settings, such as the IMAP or POP3 Port and IMAP or POP3 Security.
You must also enter the login and password associated with your email service provider.
3. What does ‘port’ mean in my email settings?
The ‘port’ is comparable to an address number. Similar to how an IP address identifies the physical location of a computer, the port identifies the program running on that computer.
There are a few typical port numbers; always use the suggested values when configuring Mailbird with your email server.
4. How do I know if I need POP3 or IMAP?
If saving space on your desktop is important to you, or if you are concerned about backing up your emails, choose IMAP. This means that your email provider will store your messages on their server.
POP3 will download your e-mails to your computer before deleting them from the server. This will free up space on your server, but if your local storage is compromised, those emails will no longer be accessible online. POP3 is a suitable alternative if you are comfortable with only having a local copy of your files.
5. Can I set up Mailbird for Mac?
Mailbird for Mac is on it’s way! Unfortunately, Mailbird is not yet available for our friends using Apple devices.
6. How can I import my old emails?
If your old emails are still accessible in your account, they will be imported automatically. IMAP protocol synchronizes your emails and folders with the email server, allowing you to handle your emails from any connected device.
Once you join your Spectrum account to Mailbird, you will have immediate access to your emails; no more action is necessary.
Note: If your emails are stored on a local server, they cannot be imported due to IMAP protocols.
7. How can I manually set up Spectrum on Mailbird?
This page will walk you through setting up an email account to Mailbird. Step 6 refers to the manual process.
8. How does Mailbird protect my privacy?
As of May 25, 2018, our Privacy Policies and Terms of Service are fully compliant with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Mailbird is incapable of reading your personal information. This includes your email messages, attachments, and passwords. Mailbird is a local client on your computer, and sensitive information is never exchanged with Mailbird or any other third party.
You may contact us directly at any time to review the information we maintain on you and your account or to withdraw your consent. Send correspondence to support@getmailbird.com.
