How to Set Up Windows Mobile Gmail IMAP

POP3 is generally limited to your local computer.

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) gives users many advantages over Post Office Protocol (POP3) on your Windows Mobile device. According to CU-Boulder, with IMAP "you read your mail while it is still on the mail server." Some email providers support one or both platforms. Fortunately, Gmail supports both IMAP and POP3. If you are Gmail user, choosing IMAP allows you to access your emails on several platforms, including but not limited to your Windows Mobile phone.

Instructions

1. Log in to your Gmail account, click "Settings," and then choose the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab.

2. Choose the "Enable IMAP" radio button located next to the "IMAP Access" section and then select "Save changes."

3. Select the Start menu on your phone and then go to "Programs," "Messaging," then "New Email Account."

4. Type your full Gmail address in the "Email Address" field. If you are a Windows 6.1 user, type "g@g" in the "Email address" field instead. According to Gmail, "this will bypass the automatic configuration for POP access."

5. Uncheck the option asking you to get settings from the Internet and then hit "Next."

6. Choose "Internet email" from the drop-down menu asking you for your email provider and then enter your name in the field provided.

7. Provide a name for your email account in the field provided and then select "Next."

8. Type "imap.gmail.com" in the "Incoming Mail Server" box, choose "IMAP4" from the "Account type" menu and then hit "Next."

9. Enter your full Gmail address and password in the fields provided and then select "Next."

10. Type "smtp.gmail.com" in the "Outgoing (SMTP) Mail Server" field and then check the "Outgoing server requires authentication" check box.

11. Choose the "Advanced Server Settings" link and then select "Require SSL box" check box for both incoming and outgoing emails.

12. Choose "The Internet" as your network connection, hit "Done" and then select "Next."

13. Specify how often you would like your device to check and/or send emails from the drop-down menu and then choose "Finish." You have successfully enabled Gmail's IMAP in your Windows Mobile phone.

References

• Gmail Help: Enabling IMAP
• Gmail Help: Windows Mobile 6
• University of Colorado Boulder: Understanding IMAP and POP

Resources

• Gmail Help: IMAP - Troubleshooting specific clients
• Microsoft: Help & how-to