How to Find Incoming Mail Server
Visit your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) website., Click the “Support” or “Help” link., Search for “email.” Type email into the search box and hit ↵ Enter., Decide on POP3 or IMAP.Your ISP may offer both POP3 and IMAP as options., Enter the mail...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Visit your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) website.
This is the website for the company who provides you with internet connectivity and email services.
Note that this method works for people who use the email address assigned by your ISP and won’t be helpful for web-based email users (like Hotmail or Gmail).
For example, if you use an email address provided by Comcast Xfinity (for example, [email protected]), go to http://www.xfinity.com.
Centurylink users would visit http://www.centurylink.com.
There’s a chance your ISP doesn’t provide email addresses to its users.
Their website should tell you either way. -
Step 2: Click the “Support” or “Help” link.
Most ISP websites have these links prominently displayed. , In the search results, look for links that say something like “Setting up email software. ” If there’s no general “email software” link, click on one that’s more specific, like “Setting up Outlook” or “Setting up Mac Mail.” Any help files that explain how to set up email will contain the incoming mail server.
Xfinity users can click the “Internet” link, then “Email and Web Browsing.” In the search results, click “Using Email Client Programs with Comcast Email.” , If you check mail on multiple devices (like a smartphone and a computer), use IMAP.
If you only check your mail on one computer or phone, use POP3.
While almost all ISPs offer POP3, many don’t support IMAP.
Centurylink, for example, only supports POP3 for home users.
If your goal is to receive messages addressed to your ISP-provided email address in a web-based email app like Gmail or Outlook, use POP3.
Most ISPs have limits on how large your mailbox can be at any given time and POP3 keeps your mailbox clear by deleting the copy on your ISP’s server. , Most ISPs use the standard POP3 port (110) for incoming mail.
If your ISP supports Secure POP, the port number is usually
995.
For ISPs that support Secure IMAP, the port is usually
993.
For example, Comcast Xfinity’s POP3 server is mail.comcast.net, and the port is
110.
If your mail software supports it, you can also use the Secure POP protocol by changing the port to
995.Comcast Xfinity also provides IMAP in both regular and secure forms.
The server is imap.comcast.net and the port is 143 (or 993 f you want to use Secure IMAP). -
Step 3: Search for “email.” Type email into the search box and hit ↵ Enter.
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Step 4: Decide on POP3 or IMAP.Your ISP may offer both POP3 and IMAP as options.
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Step 5: Enter the mail server address and port into your mail client.
Detailed Guide
This is the website for the company who provides you with internet connectivity and email services.
Note that this method works for people who use the email address assigned by your ISP and won’t be helpful for web-based email users (like Hotmail or Gmail).
For example, if you use an email address provided by Comcast Xfinity (for example, [email protected]), go to http://www.xfinity.com.
Centurylink users would visit http://www.centurylink.com.
There’s a chance your ISP doesn’t provide email addresses to its users.
Their website should tell you either way.
Most ISP websites have these links prominently displayed. , In the search results, look for links that say something like “Setting up email software. ” If there’s no general “email software” link, click on one that’s more specific, like “Setting up Outlook” or “Setting up Mac Mail.” Any help files that explain how to set up email will contain the incoming mail server.
Xfinity users can click the “Internet” link, then “Email and Web Browsing.” In the search results, click “Using Email Client Programs with Comcast Email.” , If you check mail on multiple devices (like a smartphone and a computer), use IMAP.
If you only check your mail on one computer or phone, use POP3.
While almost all ISPs offer POP3, many don’t support IMAP.
Centurylink, for example, only supports POP3 for home users.
If your goal is to receive messages addressed to your ISP-provided email address in a web-based email app like Gmail or Outlook, use POP3.
Most ISPs have limits on how large your mailbox can be at any given time and POP3 keeps your mailbox clear by deleting the copy on your ISP’s server. , Most ISPs use the standard POP3 port (110) for incoming mail.
If your ISP supports Secure POP, the port number is usually
995.
For ISPs that support Secure IMAP, the port is usually
993.
For example, Comcast Xfinity’s POP3 server is mail.comcast.net, and the port is
110.
If your mail software supports it, you can also use the Secure POP protocol by changing the port to
995.Comcast Xfinity also provides IMAP in both regular and secure forms.
The server is imap.comcast.net and the port is 143 (or 993 f you want to use Secure IMAP).
About the Author
Sarah Myers
With a background in lifestyle and practical guides, Sarah Myers brings 11 years of hands-on experience to every article. Sarah believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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