Connect an IMAP mailbox
istorel connects to your mail server like a mail client. It needs three things: the IMAP host, the port, and credentials that can read the mailbox.
- An istorel account with a payment method on file. Backups start from that point.
- IMAP turned on for the mailbox. Most hosts turn it on by default; Gmail does not.
- The mailbox password, or an app password if the account uses two-factor authentication.
1. Find your IMAP settings
Your provider lists them in its control panel or help pages, usually under « mail client configuration ». The table below covers the most common providers. If your host has several regions, check its panel: the hostname can differ from one region to another.
| Provider | IMAP host | Port | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infomaniak | mail.infomaniak.com | 993 | Mailbox password |
| OVHcloud | ssl0.ovh.net | 993 | Username is the full address |
| Gandi | mail.gandi.net | 993 | Mailbox password |
| Gmail / Workspace | imap.gmail.com | 993 | Enable IMAP, then app password |
| iCloud Mail | imap.mail.me.com | 993 | App-specific password required |
| Zimbra, Dovecot, cPanel | mail.yourdomain.tld | 993 | Check the server hostname |
compatibility checker : Not sure? The compatibility checker on the home page reads the MX records of your domain and suggests the settings.
2. Add the mailbox
In the console, open Management, click New backup and choose a mailbox. Enter the address and the application password. If the mailbox is not hosted at Infomaniak, also enter the IMAP server and the port. For an OVHcloud mailbox, the connection looks like this:
istorel opens a TLS connection straight away, usually on port 993. STARTTLS on port 143 is not supported, and unencrypted IMAP is refused.
3. App passwords
If the account uses two-factor authentication, its normal password does not work over IMAP. Create an app password for istorel instead. You can revoke it at any time without changing the account password.
Gmail and Google Workspace
Turn on IMAP in the Gmail settings, then create an app password from the security page of your Google account. On Workspace, an administrator may first need to allow IMAP for the whole domain.
iCloud Mail
Create an app-specific password from your Apple account. iCloud IMAP servers always refuse the Apple ID password itself.
Infomaniak and OVHcloud
The mailbox password works as is. If two-factor authentication is on, create an application password in the manager.
4. Declare and check
Click Declare. The form does not test the connection: the first run does. istorel opens a TLS session, logs in and lists the folders it can see. If the server refuses the credentials, the error shows in Recent runs, on the mailbox page, and you can enter the password again.
Once the mailbox is declared and a payment method is on file, the first backup starts within a minute. A mailbox of about 1 GB takes around 90 seconds. The following runs only transfer what has changed.
Common errors
| Message | What to check |
|---|---|
AUTHENTICATIONFAILED | Wrong password, or two-factor is on and an app password is required. |
Connection timeout | Typo in the hostname, or the server blocks connections from outside its network. |
Certificate rejected | The mail server certificate has expired or is self-signed. Renew it, or contact us. |
IMAP disabled | Turn on IMAP for the mailbox. This happens mostly on Gmail and on some Workspace domains. |