Quick answer
Choose POP only when its local-storage and server-retention behavior matches your needs. Preserve downloaded mail before changing an existing POP account.
Applies to
For an authorized mailbox user. Interactive Online manages settings only for mail hosted on the selected service; mail hosted elsewhere uses that provider's settings. The preserved lesson shows an earlier interface.
Steps
- Open the intended application or account and confirm its complete mailbox address and provider.
- Obtain the provider's secure POP and SMTP settings. In the appropriate Mail account setup or server settings, use the supported host, complete username, encrypted port and retention choices.
Check the result
Confirm where downloaded messages are retained and test another device. Removing an account can affect access to its local-only messages.
Troubleshooting and support
If labels differ, use the Apple guide for the installed macOS release. For a certificate mismatch, verify the provider's secure hostname instead of accepting a guessed exception.
Contact support from the owning account with the domain, product/version, exact error, time/time zone and redacted evidence. Exclude credentials, session URLs, payment details and private customer records. Confirm any separate application-support scope.
Original historical tutorial
The original tutorial link and any earlier written lesson are preserved below as historical material. They show an earlier interface and may depend on an old player. Use the current written guidance above and its references when labels or capabilities differ; the old interface does not establish current hosting availability.
Related help
- Find the correct secure IMAP and SMTP settings for your mailbox
- Choose IMAP or POP for business email
Official references
Written guidance reviewed November 1, 2026. The preserved historical tutorial has not been recertified for current software.
