Finding your email server settings
The instructions below are for desktops and laptops only.
When you connect an email inbox to tawk.to, you'll need your email provider's IMAP and SMTP server settings.
If your email provider appears in the provider list during setup, these settings are filled in automatically. If you select Custom / Other, you'll need to enter them manually.
This guide explains what these settings are, where to find them, and what to do if the connection test fails.
If your email provider appears in the provider list during setup, these settings are filled in automatically. If you select Custom / Other, you'll need to enter them manually.
This guide explains what these settings are, where to find them, and what to do if the connection test fails.
What are IMAP and SMTP settings?
To connect your email inbox, tawk.to needs two types of server information:
IMAP (Incoming Mail)
IMAP allows tawk.to to receive emails from your mailbox. Because IMAP synchronizes your mailbox instead of downloading messages, actions such as marking an email as read stay synchronized across your email applications.
SMTP (Outgoing Mail)
SMTP allows tawk.to to send replies from your connected email address.
For both IMAP and SMTP, you'll need:
Important: Whenever possible, use an encrypted connection such as SSL/TLS or STARTTLS. Avoid using None unless your email provider specifically requires it.
IMAP (Incoming Mail)
IMAP allows tawk.to to receive emails from your mailbox. Because IMAP synchronizes your mailbox instead of downloading messages, actions such as marking an email as read stay synchronized across your email applications.
SMTP (Outgoing Mail)
SMTP allows tawk.to to send replies from your connected email address.
For both IMAP and SMTP, you'll need:
- Server address — for example, imap.example.com
- Port number — the communication port used by the server
- Encryption method — usually SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
Important: Whenever possible, use an encrypted connection such as SSL/TLS or STARTTLS. Avoid using None unless your email provider specifically requires it.
Common server settings
Many email providers use the following default settings:
| Service | Port | Encryption |
| IMAP (Incoming) | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| SMTP (Outgoing) | 587 | STARTTLS |
| SMTP (Alternative outgoing) | 465 | SSL/TLS |
Both SMTP ports are commonly used. While 587 is the recommended default for most providers, many still use 465. If one port doesn't work, try the other, as your provider may use a different SMTP port.
Find your email server settings
If your provider is listed during setup
Simply select your email provider when connecting your mailbox.
tawk.to automatically fills in the required IMAP and SMTP settings, so you usually won't need to enter them manually.
If you select Custom / Other
If your email provider isn't listed, you can usually find the required settings from one of the following sources:
Searching your provider's website for IMAP settings or SMTP settings is often the fastest way to find the correct information.
Common server naming convention
Many providers use server names similar to:
imap.yourdomain.com
smtp.yourdomain.com
These are common naming conventions but are not guaranteed to work for every provider.
If you're unsure, always use the server settings published by your email provider.
Simply select your email provider when connecting your mailbox.
tawk.to automatically fills in the required IMAP and SMTP settings, so you usually won't need to enter them manually.
If you select Custom / Other
If your email provider isn't listed, you can usually find the required settings from one of the following sources:
- Your email provider's Help Center or documentation
- Your web hosting provider's support site
- Your company's IT administrator
- Your hosting control panel, often under Email, Mail Accounts, or Mail Client Configuration
Searching your provider's website for IMAP settings or SMTP settings is often the fastest way to find the correct information.
Common server naming convention
Many providers use server names similar to:
imap.yourdomain.com
smtp.yourdomain.com
These are common naming conventions but are not guaranteed to work for every provider.
If you're unsure, always use the server settings published by your email provider.
Server settings for popular providers
The following providers publish their current IMAP and SMTP settings in their own documentation:
Because these settings may change over time, always refer to your provider's official documentation for the most up-to-date information.
Note: This information is provided by each email provider and may change without notice.
- 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
Because these settings may change over time, always refer to your provider's official documentation for the most up-to-date information.
Note: This information is provided by each email provider and may change without notice.
Use Thunderbird's server database
If you can't find your provider's settings, you can also check the public server database maintained by the Mozilla Thunderbird project.
Thunderbird publishes server settings for many email providers at:
autoconfig.thunderbird.net
Append your email domain to the URL to see whether your provider is listed.
Note: This is an external resource maintained by Mozilla, not by tawk.to.
Thunderbird publishes server settings for many email providers at:
autoconfig.thunderbird.net
Append your email domain to the URL to see whether your provider is listed.
Note: This is an external resource maintained by Mozilla, not by tawk.to.
Troubleshoot server setting issues
If the connection test fails, tawk.to checks your incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) connections separately, making it easier to identify the problem.
Incoming (IMAP) connection failed
Check that:
For example, port 993 is commonly used with SSL/TLS.
Outgoing (SMTP) connection failed
Check that:
Many providers use either:
Both connections failed
This usually indicates an authentication problem rather than incorrect server settings.
Common causes include:
To learn more about app passwords, see this guide:
Creating an app password for your email account
Incorrect email or password
If you're confident your credentials are correct, your email provider may require IMAP access to be enabled before external applications can connect.
To learn more, see this guide:
Enabling IMAP access with your provider
Incoming (IMAP) connection failed
Check that:
- The IMAP server address is correct
- The port number matches your provider's recommendation
- The encryption setting matches the selected port
For example, port 993 is commonly used with SSL/TLS.
Outgoing (SMTP) connection failed
Check that:
- The SMTP server address is correct
- The SMTP port matches your provider's settings
Many providers use either:
- Port 587 with STARTTLS, or
- Port 465 with SSL/TLS
Both connections failed
This usually indicates an authentication problem rather than incorrect server settings.
Common causes include:
- Using your regular account password instead of an app password
- Entering the wrong username
- Entering an incorrect password
To learn more about app passwords, see this guide:
Creating an app password for your email account
Incorrect email or password
If you're confident your credentials are correct, your email provider may require IMAP access to be enabled before external applications can connect.
To learn more, see this guide:
Enabling IMAP access with your provider
Important considerations
- Your username may not always be your email address
Most providers use your full email address as the username. Some providers may require a different username format. If authentication fails and your server settings are correct, check your provider's documentation.
- Proton Mail isn't supported
Proton Mail doesn't provide direct IMAP access for cloud-based services. Instead, it requires Proton Mail Bridge, which runs locally on your own computer.
Because tawk.to connects directly to your email provider's servers, Proton Mail accounts can't currently be connected using IMAP and SMTP.
- Check with your provider before guessing
Incorrect server settings often produce the same error messages as incorrect passwords.
If you're unsure which values to enter, it's usually faster to confirm the correct settings with your email provider or IT administrator than to try different combinations.
Related guides
Understanding the Email channel
Connecting your email inbox to tawk.to
Creating an app password for your email account
Enabling IMAP access with your provider
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
Enabling IMAP access with your provider
Connecting multiple email inboxes
Managing email conversations in the Inbox
Managing your email inbox settings
Troubleshooting email connection and delivery issues
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