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How to convert an IMAP account to POP?

  • 5 respostas
  • 5 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by christ1

Hershmab
Hershmab
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I have an existing Gmail IMAP account that has long been registered with TB as IMAP.

I am not happy with the workings of IMAP and want to change (back) to POP3 - preferably without losing my TB folders and messages.

GMAIL gives instructions on how to change server settings at its end, but what it describes for the corresponding TB setting seems to apply only when creating a NEW account in TB.

So can I change my TB settings for the existing Gmail account to have a POP3-type server? If so, how?

I have an existing Gmail IMAP account that has long been registered with TB as IMAP. I am not happy with the workings of IMAP and want to change (back) to POP3 - preferably without losing my TB folders and messages. GMAIL gives instructions on how to change server settings at its end, but what it describes for the corresponding TB setting seems to apply only when creating a NEW account in TB. So can I change my TB settings for the existing Gmail account to have a POP3-type server? If so, how?

All Replies (5)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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You can't change an existing account. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/faq-changing-imap-pop

Hershmab
Hershmab Question owner
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Hi Christ1, I know I can convert the existing account to a POP3-type in Gmail. If I do something in TB

  1. to preserve all my files and folders
  2. to change the name of the Gmail account
  3. to create a new POP3 account in the name of the converted Gmail account

do you think would that work?

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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No, I don't think this will work.

to create a new POP3 account in the name of the converted Gmail account

I have no idea what that means. Why don't you simply follow the instructions?

Hershmab
Hershmab Question owner
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The instructions in Gmail itself are for creating a new TB account.

As you pointed out it is not possible to change the server-type for an existing TB account. So I have to disable the IMAP client in TB.

I know what to try but am a bit nervous about doing it with the existing account. I shall experiment on a new test account.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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As said before, follow the instructions as per the article linked above.