> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.resifactory.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.resifactory.net/imap/clients/desktop.md).

# Desktop mail clients

Reading your mail in an ordinary mail app works well. Because every mailbox is merged into one `INBOX`, you add **one** account and see everything.

## The settings, whatever the app

```
Incoming (IMAP)
  Host        mail.resifactory.net
  Port        993
  Encryption  SSL / TLS
  Auth        Normal password
  Username    <your login email>
  Password    <an app password>

Outgoing (SMTP)
  None — this server does not send mail.
```

{% hint style="success" %}
For a client you read by hand, **Last 1 month** is a comfortable [inbox window](/imap/inbox-window.md) — enough history to scroll through without a slow first sync. Use **Last 3 months** if you routinely look further back.
{% endhint %}

## Thunderbird

1. **Account Settings → Account Actions → Add Mail Account**.
2. Enter your name, your login email, and the app password.
3. Thunderbird will try to auto-detect. Press **Configure manually** and set:
   * **Incoming**: IMAP, `mail.resifactory.net`, port `993`, SSL/TLS, Normal password.
   * **Outgoing**: there is nothing to configure. If Thunderbird insists, point it at an SMTP server you already use, or leave the account send-only disabled.
4. **Re-test**, then **Done**.

If Thunderbird warns about the outgoing server, ignore it — incoming mail works regardless.

## Apple Mail

1. **Mail → Settings → Accounts → +** → **Other Mail Account**.
2. Name, your login email, the app password → **Sign In**.
3. It will report that the account must be configured manually. Fill in:
   * **Account Type**: IMAP
   * **Incoming Mail Server**: `mail.resifactory.net`
   * **Outgoing Mail Server**: put `mail.resifactory.net` here too — Apple Mail will not continue with it blank. Nothing will ever send through it.
4. **Sign In**. Under **Server Settings**, confirm the incoming port is `993` with TLS on and **Automatically manage connection settings** off.

Apple Mail may show the outgoing server as offline. That is expected and does not affect reading mail.

## Microsoft Outlook

1. **File → Add Account → Advanced options → Let me set up my account manually**.
2. Choose **IMAP**.
3. **Incoming**: `mail.resifactory.net`, port `993`, encryption **SSL/TLS**.
4. **Outgoing**: Outlook requires something here. Enter the same host; it will not be used.
5. Enter the app password when prompted.

Outlook may report a send test failure during setup. Continue anyway — incoming mail is unaffected.

## K-9 Mail / Thunderbird for Android

1. Add account → enter your login email and app password → **Manual setup**.
2. **IMAP**: `mail.resifactory.net`, port `993`, **SSL/TLS**, authentication **Normal password**.
3. Skip or dummy out the outgoing server.

Set the folder poll to use **Push (IDLE)** — new mail then arrives the moment it lands rather than on a timer.

## What to expect once connected

* **One folder**, `INBOX`, containing mail from every mailbox you own.
* **The `To:` line tells you which mailbox** a message went to. Adding "To" as a visible column makes a mixed inbox much easier to read.
* **Read state syncs** with the web console — marking something read in one place marks it read in the other.
* **Deleting does nothing.** The `\Deleted` flag is accepted but nothing is removed. Use the [web inbox](/the-console/inbox.md) if you want mail actually deleted.
* **No Sent, Drafts, Junk or Archive.** If your client wants to map those, leave them unset. Mail a provider filed as spam still arrives in `INBOX` here.

## Sorting a mixed inbox

Mail from hundreds of mailboxes in one folder is a lot to look at. Two things that help:

* **Show the "To" column** and sort or group by it.
* **Use the client's own filters** on the `To:` address to build per-project views.

Or skip it entirely and use the console's [Inbox](/the-console/inbox.md), which filters by account and batch natively.


---

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