Once a mailbox exists in Plesk, you can read it in webmail or in any email program. Email apps need the correct server names, ports and security settings. This guide lists them and shows how to set up the most popular clients.
Before you start
- The mailbox address and password. Create it first if needed; see create email accounts in Plesk.
- Ideally an SSL certificate for the mail domain, issued in SSL It! with Assign the certificate to the mail domain ticked; see SSL It!.
Settings to use
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| User name | The full email address |
| Incoming server (IMAP) | mail.example.com, port 993, SSL/TLS |
| Incoming server (POP3) | mail.example.com, port 995, SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing server (SMTP) | mail.example.com, port 465 SSL/TLS or 587 STARTTLS |
| SMTP authentication | On – same user name and password |
If the mail domain has no certificate, use the server hostname (for example server1.example.net) as the server name to avoid warnings. Plesk shows the exact settings on the mailbox: open Mail, click the address and look for Mail client setup or the info icon.
IMAP or POP3?
Choose IMAP: messages stay on the server and sync across your phone, laptop and webmail. POP3 downloads and usually deletes messages from the server, so other devices never see them.
Outlook (Windows)
- Open File → Add Account and enter the email address.
- Choose Advanced options → Let me set up my account manually, then IMAP.
- Enter the incoming and outgoing servers and ports from the table, with encryption SSL/TLS.
- Enter the password and finish.
Plesk supports autodiscover for Outlook and Thunderbird when DNS records exist, so automatic setup often works with only the address and password.
Apple Mail, iPhone and iPad
- Go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add Mail Account.
- Enter name, address, password and description, then Next.
- Choose IMAP and enter
mail.example.comfor both incoming and outgoing servers, with the full address as user name. - Save. iOS selects SSL ports automatically.
Android and Thunderbird
In the Gmail app choose Add account → Other, enter the address, choose Personal (IMAP) and enter the servers manually if needed. Thunderbird usually detects settings automatically; choose Configure manually to correct them.
Troubleshooting
- Login failed: use the full email address as user name; reset the password in Plesk if unsure.
- Certificate warning: the server name does not match the certificate. Secure the mail domain in SSL It!, or use the server hostname.
- Can receive but not send: SMTP authentication is off, or port 25 is used and blocked by your ISP – use 465 or 587.
- Account blocked after attempts: Fail2Ban banned your IP; see Fail2Ban.