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Add an IMAP Email Account

FiloMail can bring supported standard IMAP and SMTP mailboxes into the same app as your Gmail and Outlook accounts. After connecting, you can read, send, search, and organize supported mailboxes from one place.

The current account picker shows Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, 163 Mail, QQ Mail, and IMAP config. Aliyun and other providers are available inside IMAP config instead of as separate tiles.

Choose the right connection path

Use the dedicated entry when it is available. For IMAP providers, the password field may require an authorization code or app-specific password rather than your normal sign-in password.

MailboxChoose in FiloMailCredentialServer settings
GmailGmailGoogle OAuth
Incoming: Configured automatically
; Outgoing: Configured automatically
Outlook / Hotmail / Microsoft 365OutlookMicrosoft OAuth
Incoming: Configured automatically
; Outgoing: Configured automatically
Yahoo MailYahooYahoo app password
Incoming: imap.mail.yahoo.com · 993 · SSL/TLS
; Outgoing: smtp.mail.yahoo.com · 587 · STARTTLS
iCloud MailiCloudApple app-specific password
Incoming: imap.mail.me.com · 993 · SSL/TLS
; Outgoing: smtp.mail.me.com · 587 · STARTTLS
163 Mail163 MailIMAP/SMTP authorization code
Incoming: imap.163.com · 993 · SSL/TLS
; Outgoing: smtp.163.com · 465 · SSL/TLS
QQ Mail / FoxmailQQ MailIMAP/SMTP authorization code
Incoming: imap.qq.com · 993 · SSL/TLS
; Outgoing: smtp.qq.com · 587 · STARTTLS
Aliyun MailIMAP config → AliyunPassword or authorization code required by the mailbox administrator
Incoming: imap.aliyun.com · 993 · SSL/TLS
; Outgoing: smtp.aliyun.com · 465 · SSL/TLS
Other standard IMAP mailboxIMAP config → Custom IMAP/SMTPProvider password, authorization code, or app password
Incoming: Use the provider settings
; Outgoing: Use the provider settings

Gmail and Outlook use their browser authorization flows. Do not configure them manually through IMAP unless your organization specifically requires it.


Connect the account

Desktop

  1. Open Settings, choose Account, then select the + button under Connected Email Accounts.
  2. Choose the matching provider. If it is not shown, choose IMAP config.
  3. Complete the OAuth sign-in, or enter the requested IMAP/SMTP credentials and server settings.
  4. Select Add. FiloMail starts syncing and adds the mailbox to your unified account list.

iOS and Android

  1. Open Settings → Account.
  2. Tap the + button beside Email Accounts, then choose the matching provider. If it is not shown, choose IMAP config.
  3. Complete the provider sign-in or enter the IMAP/SMTP details.
  4. Confirm the connection. The mailbox can then be managed alongside your other FiloMail accounts.

Connect another IMAP provider

If your provider does not have a dedicated tile, choose IMAP config and then Custom IMAP/SMTP. This path works with standard IMAP/SMTP services when the provider permits third-party clients.

Examples include 126 Mail, Fastmail, Zoho Mail, AOL Mail, Sina Mail, Sohu Mail, Yeah.net, 139 Mail, 189 Mail, Foxmail addresses, and self-hosted or organization mailboxes.

The main form asks for the provider, email address, and credential. Open Advanced Settings to verify or edit the server fields:

FieldWhat to enter
Email addressYour complete mailbox address.
PasswordThe provider-issued authorization code or app password when required; otherwise the mailbox password.
IMAP host and portThe incoming server supplied by the provider. Secure IMAP commonly uses port 993.
SMTP host and portThe outgoing server supplied by the provider. Port 465 commonly uses direct SSL/TLS; port 587 commonly uses STARTTLS.
SMTP securityMatch the provider setting exactly: direct SSL/TLS or STARTTLS.

A provider preset fills its known IMAP host, IMAP port, SMTP host, SMTP port, and SMTP encryption value. For Custom IMAP/SMTP, entering the email address may prefill common hosts. These are editable starting values; use the latest settings from your provider or mailbox administrator if they differ.

After the connection succeeds, the mailbox appears with your other accounts and can participate in FiloMail’s unified mail-management experience. Available actions can still depend on the provider and server policy.

Credential safety

Never enter your FiloMail password here. Use the credential created by your email provider, and revoke that app password or authorization code from the provider console if a device is lost or no longer used.

Troubleshooting

  • Authentication failed: Enable IMAP/SMTP in the provider settings, create the required authorization code or app password, and confirm the full email address is used as the username.
  • Receiving works but sending fails: Recheck the SMTP host, port, security mode, and whether SMTP access is enabled.
  • Sending works but receiving fails: Recheck the IMAP host, the port supplied by your provider, the SSL/TLS setting, and IMAP access permission.
  • The settings are correct but connection is blocked: Some providers or organizations apply risk controls, IP restrictions, or third-party-client policies. Check the provider security center or contact the mailbox administrator.