Email client settings are the details needed to set up your email account in an email program or app.
These settings allow your device to send and receive email using your domain email address.
Examples of email programs and apps include:
- Microsoft Outlook
- Apple Mail
- iPhone Mail
- Android Mail
- Gmail app
- Thunderbird
- Windows Mail
What Is an Email Client?
An email client is a program or app used to read, send, and manage email.
Examples include:
- Outlook on a computer
- Mail on an iPhone
- Gmail app on Android
- Thunderbird on a computer
- Apple Mail on a Mac
An email client connects to the mail server using your email settings.
What Details Do I Need?
To set up an email account, you usually need:
- Email address
- Email password
- Incoming mail server
- Outgoing mail server
- Account type
- Port numbers
- SSL or encryption settings
- SMTP authentication
Your email username is usually your full email address.
Example:
Email Address
Your email address is the mailbox you want to set up.
Example:
Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.
Email Password
This is the password for the email account.
It is not always the same as your:
- DirectAdmin password
- WordPress password
- Client area password
- FTP password
- Database password
If you do not know the email password, you can change it in DirectAdmin.
Incoming Mail Server
The incoming mail server is used to receive email.
A common format is: mail.yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
you can use : pop.yourdomain.co.za or imap.yourdomain.co.za as well they all point to mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing Mail Server
The outgoing mail server is used to send email.
A common format is: mail.yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
you can use : smtp.yourdomain.co.za as well it points to mail.yourdomain.co.za.
The outgoing server requires authentication using your full email address and email password.
Account Type: IMAP or POP3
When setting up email, you may be asked to choose IMAP or POP3.
IMAP keeps email synchronized between the server and your devices.
POP3 downloads email to your device and may remove it from the server depending on your settings.
For most users with multiple devices, IMAP is usually recommended.
Common IMAP Settings
IMAP is commonly used when you want email to synchronize across multiple devices.
Typical IMAP settings are:
Account type: IMAP
Incoming server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port with SSL: 993
Outgoing server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port with SSL: 465 or 587
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
Common POP3 Settings
POP3 is commonly used when you mainly use one computer and want email downloaded locally.
Typical POP3 settings are:
Account type: POP3
Incoming server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port with SSL: 995
Outgoing server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port with SSL: 465 or 587
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
SMTP Settings
SMTP is used to send email.
Your outgoing mail server must normally have authentication enabled.
This means your email app must log into the outgoing server using your email address and password before it can send messages.
If SMTP authentication is not enabled, you may be able to receive email but not send email.
SSL and Encryption
SSL helps secure the connection between your email app and the mail server.
Where possible, use SSL or encrypted settings.
Common secure ports include:
IMAP SSL: 993
POP3 SSL: 995
SMTP SSL: 465
SMTP STARTTLS: 587
Step 1 – Log Into DirectAdmin
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 2 – Open Email Accounts
Once you are logged into DirectAdmin, open the email accounts area.
Click: E-mail Manager
Then click: E-mail Accounts
From here, you can view and manage your email accounts.
Important Notes
Please keep the following in mind:
- Your username is usually your full email address.
- Your email password is not always the same as your hosting password.
- IMAP is usually best if you use multiple devices.
- POP3 may be suitable if you mainly use one computer.
- SMTP authentication is required for sending email.
- Use SSL settings where possible.
- If your domain uses external email such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, the settings will be different.
When Should I Contact HostworX Support?
Contact HostworX Support if:
- You do not know your email password.
- You cannot send email.
- You cannot receive email.
- Your email app rejects the settings.
- You are unsure whether to use POP3 or IMAP.
- Your domain uses external mail services.
- Your mailbox works in webmail but not in your email app.
Conclusion
Email client settings allow your email app to connect to your mailbox.
You usually need your email address, password, mail server, account type, ports, SSL settings, and SMTP authentication.
For most users, IMAP with secure SSL settings is the best option when using email on multiple devices.
