Connect an email account with IMAP

Before you start

Zoho Mail is used only as an example in this guide. You can connect another host that supports IMAP and SMTP; use that host's own instructions and settings.

Your email host is the service that runs your inbox. A custom address such as [email protected] may be hosted by Zoho or another provider. Owning a domain alone does not create an inbox.

For Gmail or Google Workspace, choose Gmail. For Outlook or Microsoft 365, choose Outlook. For another host that supports IMAP and SMTP, choose Other email (IMAP).

• Your full email address and the password your host allows for email applications.

• IMAP access enabled for your mailbox and included in your hosting plan.

• Your host's incoming IMAP and outgoing SMTP settings, including server names, ports, and encryption, if requested.

Connect in Privly

1. 1

   Open Settings, select Email, and choose Connect mailbox.

2. 2

   Choose Privly email, select Other email (IMAP), and click Connect mailbox.

3. 3

   Review Before you connect. Use View setup guide if you need your host's settings.

4. 4

   Click Continue to sign in. The connection page opens in a new tab.

5. 5

   Enter your full email address and the password or app password required by your host. If server settings are requested, use the values shown in your host's account settings.

6. 6

   Complete sign-in, then return to Privly and look for Connected in Email settings.

Example: enable IMAP and find your servers in Zoho

In Zoho Mail, open Settings, then Mail Accounts, and select your primary address. Enable IMAP Access and save. If this option is missing or restricted, ask your email administrator to check your plan and policy.

Use Server Configuration Details inside your Zoho account for the correct servers. Values depend on your account type and data center; do not assume every account uses .com.

• Example for a paid organization in Zoho's .com region: incoming server imappro.zoho.com, port 993, SSL.

• For that same example: outgoing server smtppro.zoho.com, port 465 with SSL or 587 with TLS. SMTP authentication is required.

• Use your full mailbox address as the username. Confirm both server names against your account before continuing.

Zoho: enable IMAP and find server settings

Zoho: SMTP settings

Example: create a Zoho app password

With two-factor authentication enabled, use an application-specific password for IMAP instead of your normal Zoho password.

1. 1

   Sign in to Zoho Accounts for your region and open Security, then App Passwords.

2. 2

   Choose Generate New Password and give it a recognizable name such as Privly.

3. 3

   Use the generated password on the connection page. Zoho displays it only once; enter it without spaces.

Zoho: application-specific passwords

If the connection fails

• Sign in to your host's webmail to confirm that the mailbox is active.

• Check IMAP access, your plan, administrator restrictions, and whether an app password is required.

• Check that your server names match your account's region and that each port uses the matching SSL or TLS setting.

• If you cancel sign-in, return to Privly and start a new connection when ready.

• For help, contact [email protected] with your email host and the error shown. Leave passwords out of screenshots.