POP3 vs. IMAP – The Sync Secret

When you add an email account to an app (like Outlook or Gmail), it asks how you want to receive messages. These two protocols handle your mail in fundamentally different ways.

1. POP3 (Post Office Protocol)

Think of POP3 like a physical Post Office.

• The Process: You go to the post office, pick up your mail, and take it home. Once you leave, the post office no longer has a copy of your letters.
• How it Works: POP3 downloads emails from the Jiinubi server to your device and then deletes them from the server.
• Result: You can only see emails on that specific device. Checking mail later on another device will show an empty inbox.

2. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

Think of IMAP like a Cloud Document (like Google Docs).

• The Process: Your mail stays on the server, and your devices just "look" at it.
• How it Works: IMAP syncs your mail in real-time. Reading an email on your phone marks it as "Read" on your laptop. Deleting a spam message on your tablet deletes it everywhere.
• Result: Your inbox looks identical on all devices.

3. Key Differences at a Glance

4. Why We Recommend IMAP

• Security: If your device is lost or stolen, emails remain safe on Jiinubi servers. POP3 deletes them after download.
• Organization: Folders created on one device appear automatically on all others.
• Modern Workflow: Draft an email on your phone and finish it on your desktop seamlessly.

5. When Should You Use POP3?

• If you have extremely limited server storage and want to move emails to your hard drive.
• If you only use one device to check email.
• If you have a very slow or intermittent internet connection and need offline access.