50.3 Set Up POP3 Account
50.3.1 Overview ¶
The POP3 protocol (Post Office Protocol) is the predecessor of IMAP and is today mainly used by older mail hosters or in special setups (e.g. simple collective mailboxes). Unlike IMAP, POP3 downloads emails from the server - the server typically keeps only a copy that is deleted after a short time.
Important limitation: POP3 supports only a single folder (the inbox mailbox). Folder structures, moving, copying, flags, and categories are not possible. If you want to use any of these features, POP3 is not an option - use IMAP or Microsoft 365 instead.
50.3.2 Required Inputs ¶
In the account editor (account type: POP3) you configure:
| Field |
Description |
| Display name |
Freely chosen name |
| Incoming server |
POP3 server address (e.g. pop.ionos.de) |
| Port (incoming) |
Default: 995 (SSL) |
| Security (incoming) |
Automatic, SSL, or StartTLS |
| Username |
Email address or login name |
| Password |
Stored encrypted |
| Outgoing server |
SMTP server (for the tasks Forward, Reply) |
| Port (outgoing) |
Default: 587 (StartTLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Security (outgoing) |
Automatic, SSL, or StartTLS |
| Same credentials |
When enabled: SMTP uses the same credentials as POP3 |
50.3.3 Default Ports ¶
| Protocol |
Security |
Port |
| POP3 |
SSL (implicit) |
995 |
| POP3 |
StartTLS / unencrypted |
110 |
SMTP ports are the same as for IMAP (see chapter 50.1.3).
50.3.4 Limited Feature Set ¶
POP3 does not support:
- Multiple folders - all emails are in the virtual inbox
- Move and Copy between folders (the corresponding tasks are disabled in the profile editor or display a notice)
- Mark as read, Set flag, Set category - POP3 has no flag mechanics
- Replace attachments - POP3 cannot modify emails, only read and delete them
- Server-side search functions - filtering happens entirely client-side
Tasks that work with POP3:
- Save attachments, Save email, Print
- Forward, Reply (via SMTP)
- Save to database, Download
- Move to trash (which for POP3 corresponds to a permanent deletion - there is no trash folder on the server)
- Send read receipt, Request receipt
50.3.5 Leave Emails on the Server ¶
Unlike IMAP, POP3 by default removes emails from the server once they have been downloaded. The program avoids this behavior - emails remain on the server after reading, so they can still be seen by other clients (Outlook, smartphone).
Note: If a profile has the task Move to trash and uses POP3, the email is actually deleted from the server - unlike IMAP, there is no recoverable trash folder.
50.3.6 Use Case ¶
Collective Mailbox at the Hoster
POP3 account at a hoster with a dedicated collective mailbox. Tasks: save attachments, then move to trash (= delete from server). This way the mailbox is cleared out daily - the attachments are stored in the archive on the PC.
50.3.7 Tip ¶
- With Move to trash on POP3 the email is gone permanently - no recovery possible. Test before production use!