DirectAdmin mailboxes work with any email app. You only need the right server names, ports and login format. This guide gives the standard settings and walks through popular clients.
Before you start
- The mailbox exists and you know its password; see email accounts in DirectAdmin.
- Your domain's SSL certificate includes
mail.example.com, or you know the server hostname; see SSL in DirectAdmin.
Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| User name | The full email address, e.g. info@example.com |
| IMAP server | mail.example.com, port 993, SSL/TLS |
| POP3 server | mail.example.com, port 995, SSL/TLS |
| SMTP server | mail.example.com, port 465 SSL/TLS or 587 STARTTLS |
| SMTP authentication | Required – same user name and password |
If the certificate does not cover mail.example.com, use the server hostname from your welcome email as the server name. In DirectAdmin's E-Mail Accounts list, some versions show these settings via an info or Configure link for each mailbox.
Use IMAP
IMAP keeps messages on the server and syncs read status and folders across your phone, computer and webmail. POP3 downloads mail to one device and is rarely the right choice today.
Outlook
- Go to File → Add Account, enter the address and choose Advanced options → Let me set up my account manually.
- Select IMAP.
- Enter incoming and outgoing servers and ports from the table with encryption SSL/TLS.
- Enter the password and finish.
iPhone and iPad
- Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add Mail Account.
- Enter name, email, password and a description.
- Choose IMAP, enter
mail.example.comfor incoming and outgoing, and the full address as user name. - Save.
Android and Thunderbird
In Gmail for Android choose Add account → Other, enter the address, select Personal (IMAP) and fill in the servers. Thunderbird usually configures itself; correct the servers manually if it guesses wrong.
Webmail
You can always read mail in the browser through the webmail link in DirectAdmin (often Roundcube at https://example.com/roundcube or webmail.example.com), useful when testing whether a problem is in the app or the mailbox.
Troubleshooting
- Authentication failed: use the full address as user name and check the password in E-Mail Accounts.
- Certificate warning: server name and certificate do not match; reissue SSL including
mail, or use the hostname. - Can receive, cannot send: enable SMTP authentication; use port 465 or 587, not 25.
- Blocked after many attempts: Brute Force Monitor may have blocked your IP; see Brute Force Monitor.