---
title: "What are IMAP and SMTP? How do I connect to EmailGuard with them?"
description: "Learn about IMAP / SMTP and using them to connect to EmailGuard"
url: https://help.emailguard.io/en/articles/11-what-are-imap-and-smtp-how-do-i-connect-to-emailguard-with-them
collection: "Email Accounts"
updated: 2026-10-16
language: en
---

# What are IMAP and SMTP? How do I connect to EmailGuard with them?

Learn about IMAP / SMTP and using them to connect to EmailGuard

**What is IMAP?**

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a protocol for retrieving incoming email. It allows an email client to access email stored on a mail server.

**What is SMTP?**

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a protocol for sending email.

**Connecting to Emailguard with IMAP / SMTP:**

Google and Microsoft will not let users connect over raw IMAP and SMTP. For these, we suggest connecting using our one-click login instead. Certain rules, such as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) may also cause issues. Refer to your specific email provider to find out about their IMAP / SMTP details.

**You need the following IMAP / SMTP information (example hosts for AOL used):**

-   **Username:** you@example.com
    
-   **Password:** your password
    
-   **IMAP Host:** imap.aol.com
    
-   **IMAP Port:** 993
    
-   **Use TLS for SMTP?** Yes, as typical of 993
    
-   **SMTP Host:** smtp.aol.com
    
-   **SMTP Port:** 465
    
-   **Use TLS for SMTP?** Yes, as typical of 465