A Practical IMAP & SMTP Guide for AxSpace Users

If you’ve ever tried to connect your email address to Outlook, Apple Mail, or a CRM and found yourself typing “what is my smtp server” into Google, you’re not alone. Terms like IMAP, POP3 and SMTP sound technical, but once you understand the basics, they’re actually quite straightforward.

This guide is written especially for AxSpace customers, but it will help you no matter which email provider you use. By the end, you’ll know:

What SMTP actually does and what “What is my SMTP” really means.
How to find your email server’s IMAP and SMTP information on any device.
Typical server names and ports for popular providers like Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo and iCloud.
How to plug your AxSpace IMAP and SMTP settings into your email client without guesswork.
How to fix the most common SMTP errors.

SMTP in Plain English: What Does It Do?

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s the standard protocol used to send email messages from one server to another, and from your email app to your provider’s outgoing mail server.

When people ask, “What is my SMTP server?” or “What is my SMTP”, what they really want to know is:

Which server address (hostname) should I use for outgoing email?
Which port number and encryption type (SSL/TLS) should I configure?

Typical SMTP server addresses look like this:

smtp.gmail.com
smtp-mail.outlook.com or smtp.office365.com
smtp.mail.yahoo.com
smtp.mail.me.com (for iCloud)
mail.yourdomain.com or smtp.yourdomain.com (for custom domains on hosts like AxSpace)

Your exact SMTP server depends on who provides your email and how your domain is set up.

IMAP vs SMTP vs POP3: Who Does What?

Before we look at how to find your email server’s IMAP and SMTP information, it helps to know what each protocol actually does.

Protocol	What it does	Used for	Typical secure port
SMTP	Sends email from your app to the mail server and between mail servers.	Outgoing mail only.	465 (SSL), 587 (TLS/STARTTLS)
IMAP	Synchronizes your email with the server so multiple devices see the same inbox.	Incoming mail (recommended for most users).	993 (SSL/TLS)
POP3	Downloads messages to one device, optionally deleting them from the server.	Incoming mail (older method; limited syncing).	995 (SSL/TLS)

Modern setups almost always use IMAP + SMTP. POP3 is still supported by most providers but is slowly fading away.

Why You Keep Searching “What Is My SMTP Server”

There are a few typical scenarios:

You’re adding your email address to Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or your phone’s built-in Mail app.
You’re connecting your mailbox to a CRM, newsletter tool, or support desk that needs direct IMAP/SMTP access.
You’re configuring a printer or scanner to send emails.
You’ve changed providers (for example, moved your domain and hosting to AxSpace) and your old settings no longer work.

In all of these cases, the steps are similar: you must know your incoming server (IMAP or POP) and your outgoing server (SMTP), plus the correct ports, encryption and login credentials.

How to Find Your Email Server’s IMAP and SMTP Information

There isn’t just one way to answer “what is my smtp server”. Below are several practical methods you can use, whether you’re an AxSpace customer or using Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, iCloud, or another provider.

Method 1: Check Your Email App’s Account Settings

Almost every email client lets you see the IMAP and SMTP details for each account you’ve added.

Outlook for Windows: Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your account, then open the server settings. You’ll see the incoming (IMAP/POP) and outgoing (SMTP) server names and ports.
Outlook for Mac: Choose Outlook > Preferences > Accounts, select the account, and check the server information fields.
Apple Mail on macOS: Open Mail, go to Mail > Settings > Accounts, select your account and click Server Settings. You’ll see the IMAP and SMTP host names.
iPhone/iPad (Apple Mail): Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your account, then tap it again under IMAP. You’ll see incoming server details; tap SMTP for outgoing settings.
Android Mail apps: In the email app, go to Settings, select the account, and look under Server settings or Incoming/Outgoing settings for IMAP and SMTP host names and ports.

This method simply reveals the values your device is already using. If your email is working, you can copy those settings anywhere else you need them.

Method 2: Check Your Provider’s Help Center or Admin Panel

Most big email providers publish IMAP and SMTP settings on their official support pages. Look for sections labelled “POP/IMAP settings”, “Server settings” or “Connect apps and devices”. There you’ll find the official IMAP and SMTP server names, ports and encryption requirements for that provider.

Method 3: Log In to Your AxSpace Account

If your email is hosted with AxSpace (for example, info@yourdomain.com on an AxSpace shared hosting plan), the easiest way to answer “what is my SMTP server” is to look in your AxSpace control panel or in the welcome email you received when your hosting account was created.

In most AxSpace setups you can:

Log in to your AxSpace client area.
Open your hosting service for the relevant domain.
Go to the email management section (for example Email Accounts or Mail).
Look for a link like Configure Email Client, Mail Client Settings or similar.
You’ll see the recommended IMAP, POP3, and SMTP host names, ports, and encryption options for that specific domain.

Often, AxSpace uses a standard pattern like mail.yourdomain.com for both incoming and outgoing servers, along with secure ports (IMAP 993, POP3 995, SMTP 465 or 587 with SSL/TLS). Always follow the exact values shown in your control panel or welcome email, because they are tailored to your account.

Method 4: Use DNS/MX Lookup Tools

If you’re not sure which provider hosts your email, you can:

Run an MX lookup for your domain using tools such as MXToolbox.
See which host names appear in the MX records (for example aspmx.l.google.com for Google Workspace, or servers that contain “outlook.com” or “secureserver.net”).
From there, check that provider’s documentation for IMAP/SMTP settings.

This approach is particularly useful if you’ve inherited a domain or you don’t know who set up the email originally.

Typical IMAP & SMTP Settings for Popular Providers

The table below summarizes some common server settings many people use. Use it as a quick reference when connecting tools or devices. Always double-check with the provider’s latest documentation, since settings can change over time.

Provider	IMAP server (incoming)	Port / Encryption	SMTP server (outgoing)	Port / Encryption
Gmail / Google Workspace	`imap.gmail.com`	993 / SSL	`smtp.gmail.com`	465 / SSL or 587 / TLS
Outlook.com / Office 365	`imap-mail.outlook.com` or `outlook.office365.com`	993 / SSL or TLS	`smtp-mail.outlook.com` or `smtp.office365.com`	587 / TLS (STARTTLS)
Yahoo Mail	`imap.mail.yahoo.com`	993 / SSL	`smtp.mail.yahoo.com`	465 or 587 / SSL or TLS
iCloud Mail	`imap.mail.me.com`	993 / SSL or TLS	`smtp.mail.me.com`	587 / STARTTLS

For AxSpace mailboxes, your IMAP and SMTP servers are usually based on your own domain (for example, mail.yourdomain.com). Confirm the exact host names and ports in the AxSpace control panel.

How to Configure AxSpace IMAP & SMTP in an Email Client

Once you know your AxSpace server details, setting them up in any email client follows the same pattern:

Create a new email account in your client and choose the option to configure manually.
Select IMAP (recommended) rather than POP3, unless you have a specific reason to use POP.
Enter:
- Your full email address: name@yourdomain.com.
- Incoming (IMAP) server: typically mail.yourdomain.com.
- Incoming port: usually 993 with SSL/TLS enabled.
- Outgoing (SMTP) server: often also mail.yourdomain.com.
- Outgoing port: usually 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS/STARTTLS).
- Username: usually your full email address.
- Password: the password you set for that mailbox in AxSpace.
Ensure “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” is enabled and set to use the same username and password as the incoming server.
Finish the setup and send a test email to confirm everything works.

If the connection fails, double-check for typos and verify your exact host name and ports in the AxSpace panel. Your account’s welcome email often includes a copy of these settings, so it’s worth keeping that message handy.

Common SMTP Errors and How to Fix Them

Even when you know your SMTP server, things can still go wrong. Here are common issues and simple fixes:

1. Wrong Port or Encryption

Using port 25 without encryption is increasingly blocked by ISPs and hosting providers. If you see errors mentioning “cannot connect” or “connection timed out,” switch to:

Port 465 with SSL, or
Port 587 with TLS/STARTTLS.

2. Authentication Failed

If you get “authentication failed” or “password incorrect” even though you know your password:

Make sure you’re using your full email address as the username.
Check if your provider requires an app password instead of your normal password when two-factor authentication is enabled.
Confirm you’ve enabled IMAP/SMTP access in the provider’s settings where necessary.

3. Firewall or Provider Restrictions

Some networks block email ports to reduce spam. If ports 465 and 587 both fail, try from another network (for example, your mobile hotspot) or contact your system administrator or AxSpace support.

4. Exceeded Sending Limits

Most providers limit how many messages or recipients you can send per hour/day to prevent abuse. If emails suddenly stop sending after a burst of activity, wait a while or contact support to check whether a sending limit has been hit.

FAQ: “What Is My SMTP” and Other Common Questions

Is SMTP the same as my email provider?

No. SMTP is the protocol used to send email, and your SMTP server is the specific host name your provider gives you (for example, smtp.gmail.com or mail.yourdomain.com). When you search for “What is my SMTP”, you’re looking for that outgoing server name plus the right port and encryption.

Can I use the same SMTP server for multiple addresses?

Often yes, as long as all addresses belong to the same provider or organization and the provider allows it. For AxSpace customers, you can usually send from multiple AxSpace mailboxes using the same SMTP server but different login credentials for each address.

Do I have to use SSL/TLS with SMTP?

In modern setups, using SSL or TLS is strongly recommended and often required. It encrypts your connection so your login and email contents aren’t sent in plain text. Most providers, including AxSpace, encourage secure ports (465 or 587) instead of the old unencrypted port 25.

What is my SMTP server on AxSpace?

Your AxSpace SMTP server is the outgoing mail server listed in your hosting control panel or welcome email. It often follows the pattern mail.yourdomain.com, but always copy the exact value shown for your account, along with the recommended secure port (usually 465 or 587 with SSL/TLS).

How do I find my IMAP server on AxSpace?

In the AxSpace control panel, open the email section for your hosting account and look for “Mail Client Settings” or similar. There you’ll see IMAP settings for your domain, typically using the same host name as SMTP but with port 993 and SSL/TLS enabled.

Can I use POP3 instead of IMAP?

You can, but IMAP is usually a better option. POP3 downloads messages to one device and may remove them from the server, which can cause confusion if you use multiple devices. IMAP keeps your inbox synchronized everywhere, which is why most people combine IMAP (incoming) with SMTP (outgoing).

Where do I find my SMTP username and password?

Your SMTP username is almost always your full email address. The password is the same password you use to log in to that mailbox, unless your provider uses a separate app password system. For AxSpace email, you set this password yourself when creating the mailbox in the control panel.

What if I change my email password?

If you change the password for your AxSpace mailbox (or any provider), remember to update it in all email apps on your devices and in any third-party tools (CRMs, newsletter platforms, helpdesk software) that use your IMAP or SMTP credentials. Otherwise they’ll start failing with authentication errors.

Final Thoughts: Stop Guessing & Use the Right SMTP Settings

Whenever you catch yourself typing “what is my smtp server” or “What is my SMTP” into a search bar, remember that you’re really asking two simple questions:

Which server name should I use for outgoing email?
Which port and encryption settings belong with it?

You can usually answer those questions by checking your email app’s settings, your provider’s documentation, or (for AxSpace customers) your hosting control panel and welcome email. Once you’ve learned how to find your email server’s IMAP and SMTP information, configuring new apps and devices becomes a quick, repeatable task instead of a frustrating guessing game.

If you’re hosting your website or email with AxSpace, take a moment to log in, note your IMAP and SMTP settings, and store them securely. That way, the next time you set up a new device or tool, you’ll be ready — no more mystery around your SMTP server, just reliable, secure email sending that works.

What Is My SMTP Server?