Finding your email server settings
Yasir
Last Update 2 days ago
To connect a mailbox, tawk.to needs to know which servers handle your mail. If your provider is in our list, we fill these in for you. If it isn't, this article explains what each setting is and where to find yours.
What the settings mean
Connecting a mailbox needs two servers, one for receiving, one for sending.
- IMAP is how tawk.to reads your incoming mail. It syncs rather than downloads, so your mail stays on your provider's server and mail read in tawk.to shows as read elsewhere too.
- SMTP is how tawk.to sends your replies, so they go out from your own address.
- Server address: a hostname like imap.example.com. Your provider publishes theirs.
- Port: the numbered channel the connection uses. There are only a few in common use.
- Encryption: how the connection is secured. You'll choose SSL/TLS, STARTTLS, or None.
The settings most providers use
| Typical port | Encryption | |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming (IMAP) | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing (SMTP) | 587 | STARTTLS |
| Outgoing (SMTP), alternative | 465 | SSL/TLS |
Both outgoing options are common, 587 is the modern default, 465 is widely used and equally valid. If one fails, try the other before assuming the address is wrong.
Where to find your provider's settings
If you use one of the providers we list, pick it in the wizard and everything fills in automatically. You don't need this article.
If your email is at your own domain, you@yourcompany.com, your settings come from whoever hosts that mail. That's usually one of:
A common pattern that often works: many providers use imap.yourdomain.com and smtp.yourdomain.com. That's what our Thunderbird defaults option tries, it takes the domain from your email address and applies the standard names and ports. It's a reasonable first attempt, and if the connection test fails, your provider's own settings are the answer.
A public database worth trying: the Thunderbird project maintains a free, public directory of mail server settings covering most providers with meaningful market share, at autoconfig.thunderbird.net. Adding your domain to the end of that address shows the published settings if your provider is listed.
If your email is at your own domain, you@yourcompany.com, your settings come from whoever hosts that mail. That's usually one of:
- Your hosting provider's help centre. Search their site for "IMAP settings". Most web hosts publish a page listing exactly these values.
- Your IT team or whoever set up the email. In a company, this is generally quickest.
- Your hosting control panel. Many hosts show the settings under an email or mail-accounts section, sometimes labelled "mail client configuration".
A common pattern that often works: many providers use imap.yourdomain.com and smtp.yourdomain.com. That's what our Thunderbird defaults option tries, it takes the domain from your email address and applies the standard names and ports. It's a reasonable first attempt, and if the connection test fails, your provider's own settings are the answer.
A public database worth trying: the Thunderbird project maintains a free, public directory of mail server settings covering most providers with meaningful market share, at autoconfig.thunderbird.net. Adding your domain to the end of that address shows the published settings if your provider is listed.
Settings for the providers we list
Each of these publishes their own current settings, always the most reliable source:
- Gmail / Google Workspace: IMAP, POP and SMTP settings
- Outlook.com / Hotmail: POP, IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook.com
- Yahoo Mail: IMAP server settings for Yahoo Mail
- Zoho Mail: IMAP and SMTP configuration
- Apple iCloud Mail: iCloud Mail server settings for other email client apps
If the connection test fails
The wizard tests incoming and outgoing separately, so the message tells you which half to look at.
- Incoming failed, outgoing succeeded: the IMAP address, port, or encryption is wrong. Check the port matches the encryption: 993 goes with SSL/TLS.
- Outgoing failed, incoming succeeded: almost always the SMTP port. Try the other standard option: if 587 with STARTTLS failed, try 465 with SSL/TLS.
- Both failed: more likely the credentials than the servers. If your account uses two-factor authentication you need an app password, not your normal one. See Creating an app password for your email account.
- "Incorrect email or password" with settings you're sure about: some providers need IMAP switched on before any client can connect. See Enabling IMAP access with your provider.
Additional considerations
- Your username isn't always your email address Most providers want your full address as the username, but not all. Apple, for instance, often expects just the part before the @. If sign-in fails with settings you're confident in, try the other form.
- ProtonMail can't be connected this way ProtonMail doesn't offer standard IMAP access. It requires their Bridge application, which runs on your own computer and is only reachable from that machine, so a cloud service like tawk.to cannot connect through it. There is currently no way to connect a ProtonMail mailbox to tawk.to.
- Ask your host before guessing Trying combinations works often enough to be tempting, but a wrong guess produces the same error as a wrong password. One question to your host or IT team is usually faster.
Learn more
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