iPhone and deleted IMAP account

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AlexFMH Author

Level 1

8 points

iPhone and deleted IMAP account

Hello. I have an issue with Gmail account and an iPhone

This is the background:

The original gmail account (IMAP) was deleted by accident so the only backup of the emails is in the iPhone.

Now, the deleted account was regenerated but it is a new one, without any emails or folders.

If I switch form IMAP to POP in the iPhone, would I lose the downloaded emails or it can just start receiving the new emails without touching the older ones?

Is there someway of backup or restore those mails in the iPhone?

Best regards.

Posted on Jul 2, 2016 5:39 PM

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Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,602 points

Jul 2, 2016 6:33 PM in response to AlexFMH

Why do you want to switch to POP?

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Answer 2

AlexFMH Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 2, 2016 6:51 PM in response to LACAllen

Hello LACAllen.

Because IMAP works like a “mirror” and it will replicate everything that is in the email account to my iPhone. If I delete or move some email in Gmail, those changes will be reflected in my IPhone.

Like an example: In the original Gmail account (Web), I created a folder called “Education” and all my emails related to mi kids’ school were sent to that folder. As a result, the folder “Education” was mirrored to my iPhone.

Now that accidentally deleted everything in my Gmail account, the iPhone will make the same changes locally. As I was explaining, the only backup of those original folders and emails are in my iPhone, so I must find a way to preserve them.😢

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Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,602 points

Jul 2, 2016 7:37 PM in response to AlexFMH

IMO, the solution is not to switch to POP, but to be more aware of what deleting previous messages does. Gmail can be locally backed up and restored.

If you make use of multiple "places" to check your mail, you may find POP to be a horrible way to manage your mail. Since server deletions are not sent to other devices, you may find your various clients out of sync with each other.

Did you ever check your Gmail on a Mac that also has a Time Machine backup? When did you remove these folders and messages?

If you used Mail on a Mac and had Time Machine in place, your older folders and messages may be in the Time Machine backup and could be restored.

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Answer 4

AlexFMH Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 2, 2016 8:05 PM in response to LACAllen

Hello again.

That’s exactly the problem. Only the iPhone was used to check emails from that IMAP account in Gmail. No Mac, Mail App or TM backups were involved in all this time.

Yes, I know the next time must be more aware of this kind of situations, but for the time being, the main problem is to “save” or find a way to backup those emails in the iPhone.

Cheers!

A>

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Answer 5

Jul 2, 2016 8:25 PM in response to AlexFMH

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a type of account that is synchronised with the server and all the information is stored on the server, whereas POP (Post office Protocol) stored everything on your device and once the message is pushed to the device, the server has nothing to do with it. Gmail only offers IMAP, so all your email and folders are on the gmail server. Just add the account again and all your data will be loaded back to your iPhone. Choosing POP should not work for you.

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Answer 6

AlexFMH Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 2, 2016 8:34 PM in response to 122222221111

Hello.

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Now, my Gmail account is literally empty, like brand new without any emails. That information/configuration is stored on the Gmail server. When it syncs again with my iPhone, it will delete the emails that I already downloaded to the phone.

Best regards.
A>

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Answer 7

Jul 2, 2016 8:40 PM in response to AlexFMH

Nah mate, thats not how syncing works. You cant see any mails because it wasn't configured properly. You can log into gmail webmail and you will see that all your mails and folders are there. Just delete the account (which removes the account from the phone) and add it again. It will work cent percent. Please sure that you click on "allow" on the pop up that would ask you if you want to allow gmail to access information.

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