If you have set up an email account in your client (Outlook, Thunderbird, Mac Mail, etc.) using the POP3 protocol and want to switch to IMAP, this article shows you how to do it correctly.
Why can’t I just “modify” the POP3 account to IMAP?
Most email clients do not allow changing the protocol (POP3 ↔ IMAP) for an existing account. For this reason, you will need to add the account again, this time using IMAP settings, and then copy the messages from the old account.
Necessary steps
1. Add the email account again using IMAP settings
Go to the Add Account option in your email client.
When configuring the account, use:
Account Type: IMAP
Incoming Server: mail.yourdomain.com
Port: 993 (for SSL/TLS) or 143 (for non-SSL connection)
Outgoing Server (SMTP): mail.yourdomain.com
SMTP Port: 465 (SSL) or 26 (non-SSL)
Authentication: Password
Username: your full email address (e.g., [email protected])
Password: your email account password
Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain.
Where to find these settings?
In cPanel:
Email Accounts → Connect Devices → Mail Client Manual Settings
2. Temporarily disable the POP3 account
To avoid receiving duplicate messages during migration:
Go to the POP3 account in your email client
Find the synchronization/check messages option
Disable or uncheck it temporarily
3. Copy messages from the POP3 account to the IMAP account
Select the emails from the POP3 account
Drag and drop them into the folders of the IMAP account
You can copy only what you need (Inbox, Sent, etc.)
Important: POP3 emails are stored locally – make sure all important messages have been copied before deleting the old account.
4. Check in Webmail if the IMAP messages appear on the server
Log into Webmail (e.g., webmail.yourdomain.com)
Confirm that the messages moved to IMAP are also online
This way, you avoid losing messages
5. Delete the POP3 account
After ensuring everything is copied and working:
Go to account settings
Select the POP3 account
Choose the Remove / Delete Account option
Done!
Your email account now works via IMAP, which means messages are synchronized between the server and all your devices (phone, laptop, webmail, etc.).