Many people get confused when setting up email for the first time. You may be creating a business email, adding email to your phone, or connecting email to Outlook or Gmail.
Suddenly, you see a field asking for “host name for email.” At this point, most users stop and search online.
A host name for email tells your email app where to send and receive messages. Without the correct host name, your email will not work. Messages won’t send. Inbox won’t sync. Errors appear.
This guide makes everything easy. You will learn what a host name is, why it matters, and which host names to use for popular email services.
Each section gives clear examples, simple meanings, and easy language. By the end, you will know exactly which host name to use for your email no stress, no tech headache.
What Is a Host Name for Email? 📨
A host name is the server address that handles your email. It connects your email app to the mail server.
You usually need two host names:
- Incoming server (IMAP or POP3)
- Outgoing server (SMTP)
Common Email Host Name Examples
imap.gmail.com
Meaning: Receives emails for Gmail using IMAP.
smtp.gmail.com
Meaning: Sends emails from Gmail.
imap.outlook.com
Meaning: Receives Outlook emails.
smtp.outlook.com
Meaning: Sends Outlook emails.
mail.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Custom email server for your own domain.
Gmail Host Name for Email 📩
Gmail is one of the most used email services in the world. Its host names are simple and reliable.
Gmail Email Host Names
imap.gmail.com
Meaning: Incoming mail server for Gmail (IMAP).
smtp.gmail.com
Meaning: Outgoing mail server for Gmail.
pop.gmail.com
Meaning: Incoming mail server using POP3.
mail.google.com
Meaning: Main Gmail mail server.
gmail-smtp.l.google.com
Meaning: Alternate SMTP server for Gmail.
alt1.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
Meaning: Backup incoming server.
alt2.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
Meaning: Secondary Gmail server.
alt3.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
Meaning: Extra Gmail mail route.
alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com
Meaning: Load-balanced server.
smtp-relay.gmail.com
Meaning: SMTP relay for business users.
Outlook & Hotmail Host Name for Email 📬
Microsoft email services use Outlook servers. These work for Outlook, Hotmail, and Live accounts.
Outlook Email Host Names
imap.outlook.com
Meaning: Incoming server for Outlook mail.
smtp.outlook.com
Meaning: Outgoing mail server.
pop-mail.outlook.com
Meaning: POP3 incoming server.
mail.outlook.com
Meaning: Main Outlook web mail server.
smtp.office365.com
Meaning: SMTP server for Office 365.
outlook.office365.com
Meaning: IMAP server for Office users.
exchange.outlook.com
Meaning: Exchange mail server.
autodiscover.outlook.com
Meaning: Auto email setup server.
outlook.live.com
Meaning: Live mail server.
smtp-mail.outlook.com
Meaning: Legacy SMTP server.
Yahoo Mail Host Name for Email 📨
Yahoo Mail is still widely used and supports IMAP and SMTP.
Yahoo Email Host Names
imap.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Incoming mail server.
smtp.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Outgoing mail server.
pop.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: POP3 incoming server.
mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo web mail server.
smtp.bizmail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo business SMTP.
imap.bizmail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo business IMAP.
smtp.plus.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Secure SMTP server.
imap.plus.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Secure IMAP server.
yahoo-smtp.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Backup SMTP server.
mail.global.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Regional mail server.
cPanel Email Host Name Examples 🖥️
cPanel is common in web hosting. Email host names depend on your domain.
cPanel Email Host Names
mail.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Main incoming and outgoing server.
imap.yourdomain.com
Meaning: IMAP server.
smtp.yourdomain.com
Meaning: SMTP server.
pop.yourdomain.com
Meaning: POP3 server.
webmail.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Webmail access.
server.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Hosting server address.
cpanel.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Control panel server.
secure.yourdomain.com
Meaning: SSL email server.
mx.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Mail exchange server.
mailserver.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Dedicated mail server.
Zoho Mail Host Name for Email 📤
Zoho is popular for business emails.
Zoho Email Host Names
imap.zoho.com
Meaning: Incoming server.
smtp.zoho.com
Meaning: Outgoing server.
pop.zoho.com
Meaning: POP3 server.
mail.zoho.com
Meaning: Web mail server.
imap.zoho.eu
Meaning: EU incoming server.
smtp.zoho.eu
Meaning: EU outgoing server.
imap.zoho.in
Meaning: India mail server.
smtp.zoho.in
Meaning: India SMTP server.
mx.zoho.com
Meaning: Mail exchange server.
zoho-smtp.zoho.com
Meaning: Secure SMTP.
Apple iCloud Host Name for Email 🍎
Apple email works smoothly with these host names.
iCloud Email Host Names
imap.mail.me.com
Meaning: Incoming server.
smtp.mail.me.com
Meaning: Outgoing server.
mail.me.com
Meaning: Web mail server.
imap.mail.icloud.com
Meaning: IMAP server.
smtp.mail.icloud.com
Meaning: SMTP server.
mail.icloud.com
Meaning: iCloud mail website.
push.mail.me.com
Meaning: Push mail server.
mx01.mail.icloud.com
Meaning: Mail exchange server.
mx02.mail.icloud.com
Meaning: Backup MX server.
apple-mail.icloud.com
Meaning: Apple mail server.
Email Host Names for Android Phones 🤖
Android phones often need manual setup.
Android Email Host Examples
imap.gmail.com
Meaning: Gmail incoming server.
smtp.gmail.com
Meaning: Gmail outgoing server.
mail.yourdomain.com
Meaning: Custom email server.
imap.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo incoming server.
smtp.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo outgoing server.
imap.outlook.com
Meaning: Outlook incoming server.
smtp.outlook.com
Meaning: Outlook outgoing server.
imap.zoho.com
Meaning: Zoho incoming server.
smtp.zoho.com
Meaning: Zoho outgoing server.
mail.provider.com
Meaning: ISP mail server.
IMAP vs POP3 Host Names 📥
These two types control how email is received.
IMAP & POP3 Examples
imap.gmail.com
Meaning: Sync email across devices.
pop.gmail.com
Meaning: Download email to one device.
imap.outlook.com
Meaning: Cloud-based inbox sync.
pop-mail.outlook.com
Meaning: Local inbox storage.
imap.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo IMAP access.
pop.mail.yahoo.com
Meaning: Yahoo POP access.
imap.zoho.com
Meaning: Zoho sync inbox.
pop.zoho.com
Meaning: Zoho local inbox.
imap.icloud.com
Meaning: Apple mail sync.
pop.mail.me.com
Meaning: Apple POP server.
Common Email Host Name Errors ⚠️
Mistakes stop emails from working.
Wrong Host Name Examples
smtp.gmal.com
Meaning: Spelling mistake (Gmail).
imap.outlok.com
Meaning: Incorrect Outlook server.
mail.domain
Meaning: Missing extension.
smtp.yourdomain
Meaning: Incomplete host name.
imap.mail.gmal.com
Meaning: Typo error.
smtp.gmail.co
Meaning: Wrong domain.
mail.server.com
Meaning: Unknown server.
imap.email.com
Meaning: Not a valid server.
smtp.mailhost.com
Meaning: Generic placeholder.
mail.test.com
Meaning: Testing server.
Conclusion:
A correct host name for email is the key to smooth communication. If you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Zoho, or your own domain, the right host name ensures emails send and receive without issues.
In this guide, we covered:
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and iCloud host names
- cPanel and custom domain examples
- IMAP vs POP3 differences
- Common errors to avoid
Now you can confidently set up your email on any device. Choose the host name that matches your email provider and enjoy stress-free emailing.
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