Discover How to Backup IMAP Emails Locally Efficiently

Using email has become one of the significant modes of communication in a user’s day-to-day life. This makes it a top priority for users to protect their data at any cost. Many different kinds of users are dependent for their communication on IMAP based emails since it backs up emails on their server, which heightens the chance of relying on the email provider. That is why it is essential for users to thoroughly backup IMAP emails locally in order to access their emails, attachments, and files without any hassle.

Read this blog till the end to learn how you can easily backup IMAP emails locally through some of the proven techniques, along with their attributes and limitations, for users to make an apt decision for safeguarding their emails.

What is meant by IMAP?

To put it simply, the Internet Message Access Protocol, which is popularly known as IMAP ,is a formal practice that enables users to gain access to emails stored on different devices through their email server. Unlike POP3, this email server manages to sync emails on all connected devices.

For instance, when a user views, reads, moves, or deletes email on their current device, the same changes reflect on other connected ones simultaneously, as the original data copy remains untouched on the server.

Why Do Users Need to Download IMAP Emails Locally?

The main advantage users generally avail of IMAP is its ability of emails synchronization i.e, syncing emails on every single device that is connected, since in today’s era people have multiple devices with just one or two email addresses that need to be accessed immediately in urgency.

• Suitable for users, especially professionals shifting from device to device while working.
• To obtain information from anywhere, whether the user is using a mobile application or a web browser.
• Useful in times when users lose information on one device. All you need to do is enter your login credentials on another device and have at it.

Even after so many uses of IMAP, it still consists of a limited storage space since it is heavily dependent on the server. This is why users need to have alternatives and learn how to save IMAP emails locally if they don’t already know how to store age-old information for the long term.

Backup IMAP Emails Locally with Traditional Techniques

For instant backup, with fewer emails and attachments, users to IMAP store emails locally, and they can go for numerous manual solutions. However, some of the proven ones are mentioned below:

Download IMAP Emails Locally via Outlook

Phase 1: Configure your IMAP account

1. Open outlook
2. Go to “File” and then “Add account.”
3. Choose “Manual Setup”
4. Add “IMAP”
5. Enter IMAP Server, Port Number, and SSL
6. Tap “Finish” to complete the process

Phase 2: Backup IMAP emails locally

1. Open Outlook on your operating device
2. Go to “File” and click on “Open & Export.”
3. Further, click on “Import/Export.”
   
4. Select the option of “Export to a file” and hit “Next.”
   
5. Click on “Outlook Data File (.pst).”
   
6. Next, select the IMAP folder you want to backup on your local drive
   
7. Select the “Destination” mentioned below your email
8. Choose the final apt option and hit “Finish.”

2. Backup IMAP Emails with Apple Mail

Open Apple Mail on your Mac system.
Configure your IMAP account to backup your emails.
Click on the option to “Export Mailbox.”
Choose a location where you want to save your emails.
Finally, select “OK” at the end.
The file will be saved as MBOX files in the designated destination

3. Download IMAP Emails Locally

1. Open your Thunderbird Account
2. Tap on “Tool” and go to “Account Settings.”
   
3. Further, click on “Account Actions.”
   
4. Add a New Account
5. Enter your credentials along with IMAP details
   
6. Lastly, click on “Finish” to complete the process
   

Downsides of Manual Solutions to Backup IMAP Emails Locally

• Users’ crucial files could end up corrupted if the synchronization process gets interrupted for any reason.
• Not suitable for beginners and non-technical users due to the lengthy and complicated steps.
• Consumes plenty of users’ time and energy while they backup IMAP emails locally in large volumes.
• PST files are likely to freeze or crash during the backup process if the files exceed the given size limit, which is 20GB to 50GB.
• Does not ensure the preservation of emails’ metadata and folder structure during and after the conversion.
• Difficult for users to handle numerous IMAP accounts on older and outdated operating systems. on both Windows and Mac.

Simple Steps to Follow to Download IMAP Emails Locally

1. Install and open the solution on your respective operating device (Windows or Mac)
2. Enter your IMAP details
   
3. Select the emails you wish to back up to your device
4. Enter a “Location Path”
5. Finally, “Backup”
   

Features of the Automated Software Tool

• This advanced solution has the ability to download emails in more than 200 saving formats such including it can backup Gmail folders, Yahoo, Office 365, and Hosted Exchange server, and many more.
• Users can easily read and view their backup files without requiring an internet connection.
• Does not involve the installation of Outlook to download IMAP emails locally.
• Provides 100% safety and security of users’ confidential, critical, and sensitive information, emails away from malware, threats, and cyber attacks since the files are saved on the local device.
• Offers modern features of Incremental backup as well as saving upcoming emails.
• Delivers a comprehensive log report with all the details of users’ emails in an organized manner to navigate any specific file without a hitch.
• In case of any query related to the tool, users can reach out to our helpful customer support service at any time of the day or night.

Conclusion

Getting to learn about how to backup IMAP emails locally in such a comprehensive manner is close to having the best insurance to protect your emails, attachments, and files. While task assistance from traditional methods is helpful in times of dealing with light or fewer email files, it is not at all practical for backing up thousands of files simultaneously in less time.

This is why, for an efficient, accurate, and scalable solution, we highly recommend that you utilize a professional and guaranteed tool like ours. To keep non-technical users in mind, we have made sure to assist them backup IMAP emails locally with only a few simplified steps, because this automated tool is your best bet to keep crucial emails completely safe.