This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Clarification about changing from POP to IMAP

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 36 views
  • Last reply by harpthorn

harpthorn
harpthorn
more options

I would like clarification about changing Thunderbird email to IMAP. On one of my devices I use POP to access my email accounts, other devices use IMAP. The POP account is set to NOT delete email from the server so all the emails I need are still on the server. Am I correct that if I delete the POP email accounts from Thunderbird the emails stored on the device will be deleted but still be left on the server. So I can just delete the POP accounts from Thunderbird and then add them as IMAP without losing emails from the server.

I would like clarification about changing Thunderbird email to IMAP. On one of my devices I use POP to access my email accounts, other devices use IMAP. The POP account is set to NOT delete email from the server so all the emails I need are still on the server. Am I correct that if I delete the POP email accounts from Thunderbird the emails stored on the device will be deleted but still be left on the server. So I can just delete the POP accounts from Thunderbird and then add them as IMAP without losing emails from the server.

Chosen solution

Yes, removing the POP account will not affect the mail on the server. In fact, the mail already downloaded to the POP account won't actually be deleted from the device, just hidden from view in TB. It's still in a subfolder of the Mail folder in the profile folder.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Yes, removing the POP account will not affect the mail on the server. In fact, the mail already downloaded to the POP account won't actually be deleted from the device, just hidden from view in TB. It's still in a subfolder of the Mail folder in the profile folder.

harpthorn
harpthorn Question owner
more options

Thanks for that. Just wanted to make sure before I went ahead.