Discover How to Delete IMAP Emails from Server

Looking for a way to delete IMAP emails from server? Many users assume that once they delete emails, they are also removed from the mail server. However, this is not true when dealing with IMAP emails. Users deleting email files only show the removal in the front end, and still exist on the server.

This is why, oftentimes, some of the deleted emails tend to reappear in users’ mailboxes and continue to occupy the accounts’ storage space. Read this blog till the end to know how the deletion process works and why they still reside on the server even after being deleted from the account. Moreover, it also explains what requirements are needed to delete IMAP emails from the server permanently.

What is Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)?

In simple terms, IMAP is an email protocol in a standardized way, is widely used by users to organize and retrieve emails, messages, attachments, etc. stored safely on the mail server.

Rather than downloading or deleting locally, IMAP saves users’ information on the respective email server where users want to save or remove their files. Additionally, IMAP also enables users to manage their crucial files in a structured format and is compatible to access data from all the connected devices.

How is IMAP Beneficial for Professional Users?

The following are some of the benefits that users can avail through an IMAP server:

• Provides easy access to the same account on all those devices that are connected.
• Manages to minimize the risk of data loss since the information stays on the server.
• Proficient in handling emails and attachments in large volumes.
• Facilitates optimum collaboration among multiple devices.
• Improvised and provides efficient synchronization and flexibility while accessing email information.

Why Do Users Get Confused When They Delete IMAP Emails from Server?

As mentioned above, the IMAP format is supposed to preserve users’ mailboxes the same on all devices, whether it is a mobile, tablet, computer, or Webmail. However, in order to ensure a safe process of removing or backing up emails, we do not delete them directly.

Instead of trashing emails permanently, IMAP buffer before deleting emails permanently, flag certain emails as deleted but not completely deleted, and makes the changes on all devices. On the bright side, such measures prevent any data loss, but also create confusion for users who want to delete files right away, whether they have been deleted from all the channels or not.

How come the Deleted Emails Reappear?

If such a scenario takes place, then it probably means that IMAP never removed the emails from the server due to the following reasons:

• The IMAP server did not fully expunge the emails from the server due to incompletion of the incomplete removal step.
• IMAP emails not syncing properly on all the connected devices with the same email files.
• Deleting emails offline often delays the syncing process until the next sync.
• Reappearance of emails is also caused due to the interrupted internet connection and failing to reach the server.

Manual Solution to Delete IMAP Emails from Server

1. Delete IMAP Emails from Webmail

1. Open and log in to your respective email client.
2. Add the required emails you want to delete.
3. Right-click or locate the option to “Trash or Delete”.
4. Now, in the “Trash” folder, hit “Delete Permanently” or “Empty Trash”.

2. Delete IMAP Emails from Webmail Server (Google Workspace)

1. Go to “Admin Console”.
2. Enter your credentials in the “Administrator Account”.
3. Choose “Google Workspace” and select “Gmail”.
4. Search for the required Email and go with “Auto Deletion.”
5. Select “Automatically Delete and chat messages.”
6. Choose either to “Delete Email Permanently” or move them to “Trash.”
7. At last, “Save.”

3. Remove IMAP Emails from Desktop

1. Open and log in to the application installed on your desktop.
2. Navigate to your IMAP account.
3. Select emails that are needed
4. Select the option to “Delete.”
5. The deleted item will end up in the trash folder.
6. Finally, choose the option of “Permanently Delete”.

4. Delete IMAP Email from Outlook

1. Open Outlook and go to “Account Settings”.
2. Tap on “Account Settings”.
3. Add your IMAP account.
4. Click on the “Change” option.
5. Go to “More settings.”
6. Click on the “check box” in advanced settings.
7. In the end, hit “Save.”

5. Mozilla Thunderbird

1. Go to the “Tools Menu”.
2. Further, go to “Account Settings”.
3. Choose “IMAP Account”.
4. Click on “Synchronization & Storage”.
5. Tick the box “Permanently delete old messages to recover space”.
6. Set the limit accordingly
7. Finally, go to “Server Settings” and enable “Clean up inbox on Exit.”

6. Apple Mail

1. Open your Mac Mail settings.
2. Navigate to “Mail”.
3. Select “IMAP account” and name it.
4. Choose “Advanced option”.
5. Select “Deleted option” and choose “Remove”.

Conclusion

Being one of the most popular servers, IMAP provides users with the ability to deliver convenient, reliable, and apt synchronization of email files across all connected devices in order to organize data easily. However, due to storage restrictions, users become obligated to delete IMAP emails from the server, which can risk data loss if users do not have any backup.

That is why it is highly recommended to take assistance from the automated software utility. The solution not only backup IMAP emails directly to a safe space but also consists of plenty of saving formats, including files like MBOX, PST, EML, PDF, and clients like Google Workspace, Zimbra, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and many more. Checkout the free demo version to learn more about it and safeguard your data without any hassle.