A third-party email client may not receive all emails from Alibaba Mail webmail. This issue typically occurs when the client uses POP3 instead of IMAP.
Problem description
A third-party email client receives only some emails from Alibaba Mail webmail.
Cause
Possible causes:
The client uses POP3 to receive emails. POP3 does not sync operations between the client and webmail — it only syncs inbox emails. Key differences between IMAP and POP3:
a. POP3 downloads emails from the server but does not sync client operations back. IMAP provides bidirectional sync — actions in the client (such as Foxmail) are reflected in the webmail and vice versa.
b. POP3 may lose emails or download duplicates. IMAP supports offline reading and lets you preview email details before downloading.
c. IMAP supports multi-device access to new emails.
d. POP settings in Alibaba Mail may limit which emails are received.
Solutions
Choose the solution that matches your cause:
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Switch from POP3 to IMAP to sync all webmail folders.
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Change POP settings to sync all inbox emails.
Change the protocol from POP to IMAP
1. Log on to the Alibaba Mail web client.
2. In domain management, choose Organization and Users > Mailbox Management, and click your mail account.
3. On the Edit Account page, verify that External Mail Receiving is set to Allow, select Enable IMAP/SMTP Service, and click Save.
4. Log on to your third-party client and set the receiving protocol to IMAP. The configuration method varies by client. Set the POP3 and IMAP protocols for a third-party mail client to log on to Alibaba Mail.
Change the POP settings in Alibaba Mail
1. Log on to the Alibaba Mail web client.
2. In the upper-right corner, click the settings button.
3. Choose Mailbox Settings > POP and IMAP. Select Enable POP for all mail, including mail that's already been downloaded, and click Save.
Applies to
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Alibaba Mail