What does IMAP stand for in relation to email?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, which is a standard protocol used by email clients to retrieve and manage email from a mail server. One of the key features of IMAP is that it allows users to access their email from multiple devices while maintaining a consistent view of their inbox and folders. This occurs because IMAP synchronizes the actions performed on one device with the server, providing real-time updates across all devices.

Unlike other email retrieval protocols, such as POP3, which downloads the emails and can delete them from the server, IMAP keeps messages on the server unless explicitly deleted by the user. This functionality is especially important in today's multi-device environment where users may want to read, reply to, and organize their emails from smartphones, tablets, or computers without losing any important messages or folder structures.