change pop account to imap

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minnron56 Author

Level 1

8 points

change pop account to imap

change pop account to imap in Mail

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 9:29 AM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

21,448 points

Nov 30, 2022 3:52 PM in response to minnron56

It would help a lot if you would identify the email service you are using. Not all support both POP and IMAP.

In any event, the POP vs. IMAP server settings will be different. You need to get the settings from your email provider. For example, here are the POP, IMAP & SMTP settings for Outlook.com

Once you know the server settings you will probably need to disable the POP account in Mail and set up a new IMAP account in Mail. And I recommend that you back up your mail folders before you do this.

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Answer 2

minnron56 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 1, 2022 10:43 AM in response to MartinR

Thanks for replying BobTheFisherman, Ronasara and MartinR.

Sorry for the lack of pertinent info. My original subject was greatly abbreviated. Here’s what is really happening.

My email provider is Xfinity. My primary account in Apple Mail is on my iMac and also on my MacBook. I can send email from my MacBook but not the iMac. The MacBook Incoming Mail Server is IMAP, Outgoing SMTP. The iMac Incoming Mail Server is POP, Outgoing SMTP.

I thought if I can change my POP setting on the iMac to SMTP that would solve my problem. So, following instructions, I’ve exported my Inbox and Sent Mail to new folders for backup on my desktop. I then deleted my POP account on the iMac hoping to replace it with a new IMAP account. I have the server settings from Xfinity.

But I’m not allowed to have a new account because the “account already exists”, which I understand because it does still exist on the MacBook. But I don’t really want to delete the working IMAP account on the MacBook do I?

Minnron

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

21,448 points

Dec 1, 2022 12:23 PM in response to minnron56

Something doesn't add up. You should be able to create an account in multiple email clients on multiple computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. all connecting to the same (single) email account on Xfinity (or any other service provider, for that matter). For example, my iPhone & 3 Macs all connect to the same email account that I have on outlook.com (as well as additional accounts on 2 other email providers) and I can see/send/manage my email from all 4 devices.

Here are Comcast's instructions for adding an Xfinity IMAP account to Apple Mail:

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/configuring-comcast-email-mac

I hope that helps.

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

21,448 points

Dec 1, 2022 12:35 PM in response to minnron56

minnron56 wrote:

But I’m not allowed to have a new account because the “account already exists”,

... would be an indication that the account is somehow still on your iMac ... it has nothing to do with the fact that you also have the same email account set up on your MacBook.

Don't touch the MacBook. You have to figure out what's going on on your iMac.

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Answer 5

minnron56 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 1, 2022 1:43 PM in response to MartinR

Thanks for the quick response.

I’ve previously gone through the Configure Apple Mail 7 link you sent and I can’t get by the initial sign in: Full Name, Email Address (username@comcast.net), Password (my Xfinity PW). When I hold the Option key and click nothing changes (no NEXT). If I hold the Option key and click on SIGN IN this comes up: “This account already exists”. Am I missing something really obvious?

I’ve previously checked the Access Security box to turn on access to third party email programs. Just confirmed again.

Also, thanks for advice for me to step away from my MacBook. Makes sense. Won’t touch.

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Answer 6

MartinR

Level 7

21,448 points

Dec 2, 2022 9:39 AM in response to minnron56

That may be why you are getting the "account already exists" message. I have heard of this issue before and there were different solutions from different users but I don't recall specific details. I'll look into it a bit more and hopefully post some links for you.

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Answer 7

MartinR

Level 7

21,448 points

Dec 2, 2022 1:43 PM in response to minnron56

The password is not the issue.

I assume you mean that the password you use to sign in to your Xfinity account online is the same as your Xfinity email password, which is as it should be. In Apple Mail (the email app on your iMac) you would of course use the same password when you add your Xfinity email account in Mail.