Whether you’re setting up your email in Outlook, Apple Mail, Gmail, or on your mobile device, you’ll need to understand the recommended secure email server settings to configure this on your device or application.
This guide will show you the recommended secure server settings to use when configuring your email client.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which ports and encryption options to select for safe and reliable email delivery.
These settings will not affect your website or delete your emails as they simply ensure your connection is encrypted and secure.
- What These Settings Mean (And Why They Matter)
- Recommended Secure Email Settings
- Which SMTP Port Should I Choose?
- Beginner Setup Guidance
- Advanced (Optional) (For Technical Users)
- Before You Move On
- If This Didn’t Work
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Empowering Insight
- Next Recommended Steps
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
What These Settings Mean (And Why They Matter)
When setting up email in applications like Outlook, Apple Mail, Gmail, or on your mobile device, you must choose:
- Incoming mail protocol (IMAP or POP3)
- Port number
- Encryption type
- SMTP authentication
Using the correct encryption and port ensures:
- Your password is protected
- Emails cannot be intercepted
- Your account cannot be easily spoofed
- Your mail client connects reliably
If encryption is disabled or mismatched, sending and receiving mail may fail.
Recommended Secure Email Settings
For maximum security and compatibility, we recommend that you use the following settings.
While these are the typical settings, you can explore our guides for locating your server settings specifically in your control panel:
Viewing Your Email Settings in cPanel and Webmail
Viewing Your Email Settings in Windows Plesk
Incoming Mail (IMAP – Recommended)
Server: Host server name or mail.yourdomain.com
Port: 993
Encryption: SSL/TLS
IMAP keeps your email synchronised across devices.
Incoming Mail (POP3 – Optional)
Server: Host server name or mail.yourdomain.com
Port: 995
Encryption: SSL/TLS
POP3 downloads mail to one device and is not recommended for multi-device use.
Outgoing Mail (SMTP)
Server: mail.yourdomain.com
Port Option 1 (Recommended):
465 – SSL/TLS
Port Option 2:
587 – STARTTLS
Authentication: Required
Username: Full email address
Password: Email password
Always enable SMTP authentication.
Which SMTP Port Should I Choose?
| Port | Encryption Type | Recommendation |
| 465 | Implicit SSL/TLS | Recommended |
| 587 | STARTTLS | Acceptable alternative |
If you’re unsure, choose 465 with SSL/TLS.
Beginner Setup Guidance
When configuring your email client:
- Enter your full email address as a username
- Use your mailbox password
- Select SSL/TLS when prompted
- Choose port 993 for IMAP
- Choose port 465 for SMTP
- Enable authentication
If your app offers “Auto Detect,” manually confirm the ports after setup.
Advanced (Optional) (For Technical Users)
When to Use Port 587
- Port 465 is blocked by a firewall
- Corporate networks restrict implicit SSL
- Using submission-based SMTP configuration
Troubleshooting Advanced Connections Issues
- Verify outbound port access
- Confirm no ISP blocking on 25/465/587
- Ensure SSL certificate matches mail hostname
IMPORTANT: Do not disable encryption for troubleshooting.
Before You Move On
- Double-check the port numbers
- Confirm SSL/TLS is selected
- Ensure authentication is enabled
- Use your full email address as the username
These four checks resolve most configuration issues.
If This Didn’t Work
- Reset your email password
- Confirm the mailbox exists
- Verify your internet connection allows SMTP
- Check that your domain resolves correctly
- Review our SMTP Authentication Error guide
- Double-check your server settings in your control panel
If the issue persists, contact support with a screenshot of your configuration screen.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using port 25 (not secure)
- Selecting “None” under encryption
- Forgetting SMTP authentication
- Using only the username without @domain
- Mixing SSL and non-SSL ports
Empowering Insight
If you remember just one thing:
- Use IMAP (993) + SMTP (465) with SSL/TLS and authentication enabled.
That combination works in nearly every secure email setup.
Next Recommended Steps
Configure your email on your selected device, app or platform:
Desktop Email Clients
- Windows (Outlook, Windows Mail)
- How to Set Up Email in Windows 10 Mail App
- Configuring an IMAP Email Account in Windows 10 Mail
- Configuring a POP Email Account in Windows 10 Mail
- Setting Up Email in Outlook via Windows Control Panel
- How to Set Up Email in Outlook 2016
- How to Set Up Email in Outlook 2013
- Configuring an IMAP Email Account in Outlook 2016
- Configuring an IMAP Email Account in Outlook 2010
- Configuring an IMAP Email Account with SSL in Outlook 2010
- Mac (Mac Mail, Outlook for Mac)
- Thunderbird
- Windows Live Mail
Gmail or Google Workspace
- Gmail
- Google Workspace
Mobile Devices
Learn the Difference Between IMAP and POP3
FAQs
Q. Does this affect my website?
No, these settings only affect your email client connection.
Q. Can this be undone once set up?
Yes, email client settings can be edited anytime.
Q. Is SSL the same as TLS?
Modern clients use TLS under the SSL label. Selecting SSL/TLS is correct.
Q. Why does my app offer STARTTLS?
STARTTLS upgrades an insecure connection to secure. It is acceptable on port 587.
Additional Resources
Accessing Email in Webmail
Basic Email Troubleshooting Steps
Troubleshooting Email Errors
Need Additional Support?
We’re Here to Help:
Using the recommended secure email server settings doesn’t have to feel technical with this easy-to-reference guide. Stuck? Check out our Scope of Support, and then contact our Support Team for further clarity and guidance (https://1grid.co.za/contact-us/). We’re ready to see how we can help!