Enabling IMAP access with your provider
The instructions below are for desktops and laptops only.
Some email providers require you to enable IMAP access before external applications can connect to your mailbox.
If IMAP is disabled, no external application, including tawk.to, can connect to your mailbox, even if you've entered the correct email address, password, app password, and server settings.
This guide explains when IMAP needs to be enabled, how to identify the problem, and where to find the setting for common email providers.
If IMAP is disabled, no external application, including tawk.to, can connect to your mailbox, even if you've entered the correct email address, password, app password, and server settings.
This guide explains when IMAP needs to be enabled, how to identify the problem, and where to find the setting for common email providers.
What is IMAP access?
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) allows email applications, such as tawk.to, to access and synchronize your mailbox.
When IMAP is enabled:
Some email providers enable IMAP automatically, while others require you to turn it on before third-party applications can connect.
When IMAP is enabled:
- Emails sent to your mailbox appear in your tawk.to Inbox.
- Messages stay synchronized across your email applications.
- Actions such as reading, moving, or deleting messages remain consistent across supported clients.
Some email providers enable IMAP automatically, while others require you to turn it on before third-party applications can connect.
How to tell if IMAP is disabled
If your email inbox won't connect, IMAP access may not be enabled.
This is often the cause when:
Important: Many email providers use the same “Incorrect email or password” message for different connection problems. Even when your password is correct, IMAP being disabled can produce the same error.
This is often the cause when:
- Your email address and password are correct.
- You've already created and entered an app password (if required).
- Your IMAP and SMTP server settings match your provider's documentation.
- You still receive an Incorrect email or password error during setup.
Important: Many email providers use the same “Incorrect email or password” message for different connection problems. Even when your password is correct, IMAP being disabled can produce the same error.
App passwords and IMAP access
App passwords and IMAP access solve two different problems:
Some email providers require both an app password and IMAP access before tawk.to can connect successfully.
If you've already created an app password but still can't connect, check whether IMAP access is enabled.
To learn more about app passwords, see this guide:
Creating an app password for your email account
- An app password allows applications such as tawk.to to securely sign in to your mailbox when two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled.
- IMAP access allows your mailbox to accept connections from external applications.
Some email providers require both an app password and IMAP access before tawk.to can connect successfully.
If you've already created an app password but still can't connect, check whether IMAP access is enabled.
To learn more about app passwords, see this guide:
Creating an app password for your email account
Enable IMAP access
The location of the IMAP setting varies by email provider and may change over time.
For many providers, you can find it in your account's Mail, Email, or Security settings.
Outlook.com / Hotmail
Some Outlook accounts require IMAP access to be enabled before external applications can connect.
Open your Outlook Mail settings, locate the Forwarding and IMAP section, and enable Let devices and apps use IMAP.
For the latest instructions, refer to Microsoft's official documentation: POP, IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook.com
Zoho Mail
Enable IMAP under your mailbox's POP/IMAP settings before connecting your account.
For the latest instructions, refer to Zoho's official documentation: IMAP and SMTP configuration
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail provides IMAP settings within your mailbox configuration.
If IMAP isn't available, check your Yahoo account settings or refer to Yahoo's official documentation: IMAP server settings for Yahoo Mail
Other providers
Many business email providers and web hosting companies also require IMAP to be enabled.
If your provider isn't listed, search your provider's Help Center for Enable IMAP or IMAP settings.
If your email uses your own company domain, your web hosting provider or IT administrator may manage this setting.
For many providers, you can find it in your account's Mail, Email, or Security settings.
Outlook.com / Hotmail
Some Outlook accounts require IMAP access to be enabled before external applications can connect.
Open your Outlook Mail settings, locate the Forwarding and IMAP section, and enable Let devices and apps use IMAP.
For the latest instructions, refer to Microsoft's official documentation: POP, IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook.com
Zoho Mail
Enable IMAP under your mailbox's POP/IMAP settings before connecting your account.
For the latest instructions, refer to Zoho's official documentation: IMAP and SMTP configuration
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail provides IMAP settings within your mailbox configuration.
If IMAP isn't available, check your Yahoo account settings or refer to Yahoo's official documentation: IMAP server settings for Yahoo Mail
Other providers
Many business email providers and web hosting companies also require IMAP to be enabled.
If your provider isn't listed, search your provider's Help Center for Enable IMAP or IMAP settings.
If your email uses your own company domain, your web hosting provider or IT administrator may manage this setting.
Work and school accounts
If you use a business, school, or organization-managed email account, you may not be able to enable IMAP yourself.
Many organizations manage this setting centrally as part of their security policies.
For example:
If you don't see an IMAP setting, or it's unavailable or disabled, contact your IT administrator for assistance.
Many organizations manage this setting centrally as part of their security policies.
For example:
- Microsoft 365 administrators can enable or disable IMAP for individual mailboxes.
- Google Workspace administrators can manage IMAP access for users across the organization.
If you don't see an IMAP setting, or it's unavailable or disabled, contact your IT administrator for assistance.
What to do after enabling IMAP
After enabling IMAP, the change usually takes effect immediately. However, you'll still need to reconnect your mailbox in tawk.to.
If your inbox is already connected but marked as Disconnected, reconnect it using the updated settings.
To learn more, see these guides:
Connecting your email inbox to tawk.to
Troubleshooting email connection and delivery issues
If your inbox is already connected but marked as Disconnected, reconnect it using the updated settings.
To learn more, see these guides:
Connecting your email inbox to tawk.to
Troubleshooting email connection and delivery issues
Important considerations
- IMAP and POP are different
Many email providers support both IMAP and POP. tawk.to uses IMAP, which keeps your email on the server and synchronizes it across your email applications. POP is designed to download emails and may remove them from the server, depending on your provider's settings. When enabling email access, make sure IMAP is enabled.
- Enabling IMAP doesn't make your mailbox public
Turning on IMAP simply allows applications you've authorized to connect to your mailbox. tawk.to still requires valid login credentials or an app password (when required), and you can revoke access at any time through your email provider or by disconnecting the mailbox from tawk.to.
- Reconnect your mailbox after making changes
Enabling IMAP updates your email provider's settings, but it doesn't automatically reconnect your mailbox in tawk.to. After enabling IMAP, reconnect your mailbox to verify the connection.
Related guides
Understanding the Email channel
Connecting your email inbox to tawk.to
Creating an app password for your email account
Finding your email server settings
Connecting multiple email inboxes
Managing email conversations in the Inbox
Managing your email inbox settings
Troubleshooting email connection and delivery issues
Connecting your email inbox to tawk.to
Creating an app password for your email account
Finding your email server settings
Connecting multiple email inboxes
Managing email conversations in the Inbox
Managing your email inbox settings
Troubleshooting email connection and delivery issues
If you have feedback about this article, or if you need more help:
- Click the green live chat icon
- Schedule a call with us
- Visit our community