Changing your POP email account to IMAP

This guide will show you how to change your POP email account to IMAP if you’re using LCN Web hosting, WordPress hosting or Email hosting.

The IMAP service is a great way to manage your mail from multiple devices and locations, which is something that POP doesn’t offer. If you need help setting up your email account, we’ve got a guide for that, here.

This change is optional, so if you do not want to amend your current POP account, you don’t need to. When you’re ready to get going, just use the links below to go straight the instructions for the email client you’re using.

Let’s get started…

• Changing your POP email account to IMAP on Outlook 2016/19
• Changing your POP email account to IMAP on Mac Mail

Changing your POP email account to IMAP on Outlook 2016/19

1. First, you need to create your new IMAP mailbox. if you’re unsure how to do this, we’ve got a guide with all the steps you need for Outlook 2016, here, and Outlook 2019 here.
2. You now need to copy any mails from your POP account to the IMAP account. This is done by simply dragging the mails and folders to your new IMAP inbox.

Please note: If you keep a copy of your mail on the server, you don’t need to do this as the mail will be delivered automatically.

3. Once you’re confident all your emails are now in your new IMAP account, you need to remove the old POP account. First, select the File tab on the far left, click the Account settings button and then click the Account settings pop up beneath it.
4. Finally, click the POP account so that it’s highlighted and click Remove.

That’s it! You’ve switched your POP email account to IMAP.

Changing your POP email account to IMAP on Mac Mail

1. First, you need to create your new IMAP mailbox. if you’re unsure how to do this, we’ve got a guide with all the steps you need, here.
2. You now need to copy any mails from your POP account to the IMAP account. This is done by simply dragging the mails and folders to your new IMAP inbox.

Please note: If you keep a copy of your mail on the server, you don’t need to do this as the mail will be delivered automatically.

3. Once you’re confident all your emails are in the new IMAP account, you need to remove the old POP account. First, select the Mail tab on the far left and click the Preferences button. Then click on Accounts tab, select the POP account you wish to remove and click on the ‘-‘ symbol in the bottom left.

That’s it! You’ve switched your POP email account to IMAP.