You can download messages from Gmail and see them using a program like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird, even when you aren’t online. This process is called POP or IMAP, and is free for all Gmail users.
Tip: I recommend using IMAP if possible because it’s the best way to make sure you can see all your mail at any time on all of your devices.
Step 1: Enable IMAP
You can retrieve your Gmail messages with a client or device that supports IMAP, like Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail.
- Sign in to Gmail.
- Click the gear in the top right
. - Select Settings.
- Click Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
- Select Enable IMAP.
- Click Save Changes.
Step 2: Set up your client
Use the table below to update your client with the correct information.
| Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server: | imap.gmail.com Requires SSL: Yes Port: 993 |
| Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server: | smtp.gmail.com Use Authentication: Yes Port for SSL:: 465 or 587 Use same settings as incoming mail server |
| Full Name or Display Name: | [your name] |
| Account Name or User Name: | your full email address (including @gmail.com or @your_domain.com) |
| Email Address: | your full email address (including @gmail.com or @your_domain.com) |
| Password: | your Gmail password |
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