How to set up an IMAP email account on iPhone and iPad

Setting up a business email account on an iPhone or iPad is a simple process as long as you have the correct mail server details at hand.

In this tutorial we explain step by step how to set up an IMAP email account on iOS and iPadOS, using a secure connection via SSL/TLS.

This configuration is compatible with business email accounts that use servers: mail.yourdomain.com

Note: replace yourdomain.com with your company's actual domain.

Details needed to set up your email

Before you start, you need to know your email address and password, as well as the server parameters.

The configuration we will use is the following:

For example, if your email is: [email protected]

Your configuration would be:

Incoming server: mail.miempresa.com
Outgoing server: mail.miempresa.com
Username: [email protected]

Step 1. Open the iPhone or iPad settings

On your Apple device, open:

Settings

Then, depending on the iOS or iPadOS version, select:

Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts

In earlier versions of iOS, the option may appear directly as:

Settings → Mail → Accounts

Step 2. Add a new account

Under Mail Accounts, select:

Add Account

Different email providers will appear.

Select:

Add Other Account

Then select:

Mail Account

Step 3. Enter the account details

A form will now appear with the following fields:

Name

Enter the name you want to appear when you send emails.

Example:

John Smith

Email

Enter your full address:

[email protected]

Password

Enter your email account password.

Description

You can use a description that lets you easily identify the account.

For example:

Business email

Then tap:

Next

Step 4. Select IMAP

On the server settings screen, select:

IMAP

It is important to select IMAP and not POP3.

IMAP keeps messages synchronized across different devices, so you can check the same account from your iPhone, iPad, computer or other devices.

Step 5. Set up the incoming mail server

In the Incoming Mail Serversection, enter the following details:

Host Name

mail.yourdomain.com

User Name

Use your full email address:

[email protected]

Password

Enter your account password.

The configuration should be:

Type: IMAP
Server: mail.yourdomain.com
Port: 993
Security: SSL/TLS
Authentication: Password

Step 6. Set up the outgoing mail server

In the section:

Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)

enter:

Host Name

mail.yourdomain.com

User Name

[email protected]

Password

Your email account password.

The configuration should be:

SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
Port: 465
Security: SSL/TLS
Authentication: Password

Important: even if the iPhone or iPad shows the SMTP username and password as optional fields, you must enter them when your server requires authentication to send messages.

Step 7. Save the account

After entering all the details, tap:

Next

The iPhone or iPad will try to connect to the mail server.

If the details are correct, the device will verify the account and let you finish the setup.

Tap:

Save or Done

depending on the iOS or iPadOS version.

Step 8. Check the SMTP settings

It is advisable to check the outgoing server settings manually.

Go to:

Settings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts → your account → SMTP

Select the server:

mail.yourdomain.com

Make sure you have:

• Server: On
• Host Name: mail.yourdomain.com
• User Name: your full email address
• Password: account password
• Use SSL: On
• Authentication: Password
• Server Port: 465

Step 9. Check the IMAP settings

You can also review the advanced settings of the incoming server.

Go to:

Settings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts → your account → Advanced

Check that:

• Use SSL: On
• Authentication: Password
• Server Port: 993

The server should be:

mail.yourdomain.com

Step 10. Test your email

Once the account is set up, run two tests.

Why use IMAP?

IMAP keeps messages stored on the server and synchronized across different devices.

For example, you can have the same account set up on:

• iPhone
• iPad
• Mac
• PC with Outlook
• Webmail
• Another mobile device

If you read a message on the iPhone, its status can sync with your other devices.

The same happens with actions such as deleting, moving or marking messages as read.

For this reason, IMAP is usually the recommended option for business email accounts used on several devices.