Find the IMAP settings for your current email provider

What you need before step 1

Applies to: IMAP migrations to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace from cPanel hosting, Zoho Mail, Rackspace Email, Yahoo Mail, iCloud Mail and Outlook.com

9 steps

1. 1

   Know what you are looking for

   Where: Reading only

   Every IMAP migration tool needs four things: the IMAP server (host name), the port, the encryption (SSL/TLS) and each user's username and password. Port 993 with SSL is the usual combination; Google's import troubleshooting article says the IMAP server should use port 993 with IMAP over SSL (IMAPS). Get the values from the provider, not from a third-party list.

   You should see: You have a place to record server, port, encryption and username format.
2. 2

   cPanel hosting: open Connect Devices

   Where: cPanel > Home > Email > Email Accounts

   Sign in to cPanel (your web host gives you the address). Go to Email > Email Accounts, find a mailbox and select Connect Devices. Scroll to Mail Client Manual Settings and copy the secure (SSL/TLS) incoming server, the IMAP port and the username.

   You should see: A Mail Client Manual Settings panel with the incoming server name and IMAP port for that mailbox.
3. 3

   Zoho Mail: turn on IMAP and note the server

   Where: Zoho Mail (each user, or the admin acting for them) > Settings > Mail Accounts > primary address > IMAP

   Tick IMAP Access and save. Zoho documents:

   • Accounts on your own domain (paid organisation accounts): imappro.zoho.com, port 993, SSL
   • Personal and free accounts: imap.zoho.com, port 993, SSL

   The username is the full email address. Zoho says exact details depend on account type and data centre and are shown under Server Configurations Details in your settings, so check there. If two-factor authentication is on, Zoho says you may need an application-specific password.

   You should see: IMAP Access is ticked and you have the server name shown for your account.
4. 4

   Rackspace Email: use the documented server

   Where: Reading only

   Google's IMAP import article lists secure.emailsrvr.com as the IMAP server address for Rackspace. Rackspace's own settings article offers an Email Help Tool that shows the settings for your address; use it to confirm port and encryption.

   You should see: Server secure.emailsrvr.com confirmed for your mailbox.
5. 5

   Yahoo Mail: server and app password

   Where: Yahoo account security settings (each user)

   Yahoo documents server imap.mail.yahoo.com, port 993, SSL required. Yahoo says to sign in with a generated app password rather than the normal password; its IMAP article links to Generate App Password. Each user creates one and gives it to you for the migration.

   You should see: For each mailbox: imap.mail.yahoo.com, 993, SSL, and an app password.
6. 6

   iCloud Mail: server and app-specific password

   Where: Apple Account settings (each user)

   Apple documents server imap.mail.me.com, port 993, SSL required (try TLS if you get an SSL error). The username is usually the name part of the iCloud Mail address; Apple says the full address may work if the short name does not. Apple says you need an app-specific password.

   You should see: For each mailbox: imap.mail.me.com, 993, SSL, username, and an app-specific password.
7. 7

   Outlook.com: turn on IMAP

   Where: Outlook.com > Settings (cog) > Mail > Forwarding and IMAP

   Microsoft says IMAP access is off by default. Under POP and IMAP, turn on Let devices and apps use IMAP and select Save. Server outlook.office365.com, port 993, SSL/TLS. Microsoft says Outlook.com requires Modern Auth (OAuth2), so your migration tool must support OAuth sign-in for Outlook.com accounts; check the tool's documentation.

   You should see: Let devices and apps use IMAP is on, and you have outlook.office365.com, 993, SSL/TLS.
8. 8

   Other providers

   Where: Your provider's help centre, or the Google Workspace IMAP import article

   Google's Import email from an IMAP account article has a table of IMAP server addresses for common providers, including AOL, Bluehost, DreamHost, Fastmail, HostGator, Hostinger, IONOS, Namecheap, OVHcloud, Titan and Zoho. Use it as a starting point and confirm port and encryption in the provider's own help.

   You should see: You have a provider-confirmed server, port and encryption.
9. 9

   Test one mailbox before the full migration

   Where: Your migration tool (for example Google Admin console > Data > Data import & export > Data import > IMAP > Test connection)

   Enter the server and select the tool's connection test, then migrate a single test mailbox. In the Google data import tool, select Import under IMAP, enter the IMAP server address and select Test connection.

   You should see: The tool reports Connected (Google) or a successful endpoint test, and the test mailbox starts copying.

Expert tips

How to confirm it worked

• Your migration tool's connection test succeeds with the server, port and encryption you recorded.

• A test mailbox migrates and its folder list matches what the user sees in webmail.

How to reverse it

Errors you might see

Questions

Official sources

Vendors change menus and requirements. Confirm on the source before you rely on a detail. Last checked 4 Nov 2026.