What is a port?
A port is a numbered door on a server. Each service listens at its own door. Email has a few of them, depending on what you want to do.
The three email protocols
A protocol is a set of rules for how computers talk.
- IMAP: reads mail and keeps it on the server. Your phone, laptop and webmail all show the same mailbox.
- POP3: downloads mail to one device, and usually removes it from the server.
- SMTP: sends mail out.
Common port numbers
| Protocol | Port | Security |
|---|---|---|
| IMAP | 993 | SSL/TLS (safe) |
| IMAP | 143 | Not encrypted, or STARTTLS |
| POP3 | 995 | SSL/TLS (safe) |
| POP3 | 110 | Not encrypted, or STARTTLS |
| SMTP | 465 | SSL/TLS (safe) |
| SMTP | 587 | STARTTLS (safe) |
| SMTP | 25 | Server-to-server; often blocked for home users |
SSL/TLS and STARTTLS scramble your mail so nobody can read it on the way. Pick the safe ports when you can.
Steps to set up an email app
- Open your email app and choose to add a new account.
- Choose Manual setup or Other.
- Enter your full email address as the user name.
- Enter your email password.
- For incoming mail, choose IMAP and port 993 with SSL/TLS.
- For outgoing mail, choose SMTP and port 465 with SSL/TLS, or 587 with STARTTLS.
- Type the mail server name. Find it in your welcome email, or ask Hostvento support. Do not guess it.
- Turn on authentication for outgoing mail. This means the app logs in before sending.
- Save and send a test email.
If it does not work
- Check the user name is the full email address.
- Try the other safe port for sending.
- Your internet provider may block port 25.
- Check the password by logging in to webmail.
Tip: Webmail is the email page you open in a browser. It needs no port settings. Use it to test that your mailbox works. You can open a support ticket if you are stuck.
Quick recap
- IMAP reads mail, POP3 downloads it, SMTP sends it.
- Safe ports: IMAP 993, POP3 995, SMTP 465 or 587.
- Use the full email address as the user name.
- Get the mail server name from your welcome email.