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Gmail - mail not being received

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I've set up 2 new gmail e-mail accounts (pop3).

I've configured them on my PC (I use Outlook 2010) and everything works fine.

I've also set up the accounts on my Galaxy S4, but no e-mails are coming to my phone.

T
 
POP3 was never designed to use with multiple clients and can be a nightmare to diagnose this sort of issue; there are too many unknowns even with well-behaved mail software and unfortunately Outlook is not best known for its adherence to defined standards.

Far better is to configure the accounts as IMAP which is a more appropriate protocol for the job in hand - and Outlook handles IMAP reasonably well as do many good email apps on Android. The built-in "email" app is often adequate.
 
Thanks for the quick reply John.

I've been using POP3 for years with Outlook and Android for multiple Yahoo e-mail addresses and everything works fine. Well almost! My main problem is that Yahoo's servers keep failing or refusing logins and that's why I want to change to Gmail. That's a Yahoo issue and I don't think it has anything to do with POP3 specifically (I could be wrong).

Today, I am receiving e-mails (POP3) into my Android for all my Yahoo addresses but not for my Gmail addresses.

The fault cannot therefore be POP3????

T
 
Things are not as simple as that. I suspect the Yahoo servers use "informal" extensions to POP3 to allow the use of multiple clients and perhaps Google's server uses a more strict interpretation of the standard. That's the reason I said what I said in my first reply: too many unknowns when stretching POP3 beyond its original purpose.

Do you have some objection to using IMAP? It was designed to do exactly what you want to do - without the ambiguity of differing POP3 standards relaxation across servers - and generally works well no matter which server is being used. In particular I know it works with Google mail servers from personal experience.
 
Thanks John,

To be honest, I do not understand the difference between the two. Is there a document that explains, in non-techie language, what is the difference. This article suggests that POP is more suited to my requirements. https://www.google.ie/?gws_rd=cr&ei...+the+difference+between+pop3+and+imap+account

I have no objection provided that the following criteria can be met:-

1) I can upload to Outlook and manage all my e-mails there.

2) I do not want to have to manage my e-mails online, as I use Outlook all the time i.e. I do not want to have to "clean up" old e-mails online or worry if Outlook fully replicates what is on the server. I want to upload to Outlook and when I delete from Outlook, then automatically delete from the server.

3) I want to receive the e-mails also into my mail on my Galaxy S4. This is used ONLY as a notification that I have received an e-mail. I NEVER reply or forward from my phone or online, unless in an emergency.


T
 
"Google is your friend" :-)

IMAP and POP3 are just different protocols for mail handling; for simple, unstructured one-user/one-device the two can be used interchangeably, the difference is that IMAP has clearly defined standards for use across multiple users and/or devices whereas POP3 has not unless some relaxation of defined standards is used, leading to much confusion and unexpected behaviour across servers.

In addition IMAP supports a range of useful features lacking in POP3, such as the ability to "push" mail to the client so it arrives more or less instantly. POP3 relies on the client polling the server at intervals so mail only arrives when the client specifically requests it - which was fine in the days of dial-up connections but less than ideal in an always-connected environment.

Last but not least IMAP also supports directory (folder) structures which Gmail maps to its "labels", something I find extremely useful. The bottom line is that IMAP is generally more useful than POP and the only reason to use POP is for servers that lack IMAP support.
 
Thanks John,

Given that the article in howtogeek seems to suggest that my circumstances are more suited to POP, do you have any further advice.

To be clear, I run a very small business and I use MS Outlook to manage all my e-mail, appointments, tasks, reminders etc. It's brilliant and I can find everything where I want it in one single instance. Also, I am able to transfer the .pst files from my desktop to my laptop when I am travelling abroad.

I NEVER use my online account OR my phone to either reply or forward e-mails, unless in an absolute emergency. I have my Gmail accounts set up in Outlook (as POP3) and they are working fine.

As I said, I only use the mail app on my phone as a notification that an e-mail has arrived - nothing else. My business is such that speed of reply to e-mails is critical to it's success. So, if I'm at the shops and an e-mail arrives, I know that I need to get home quickly.

T
 
My business is such that speed of reply to e-mails is critical to it's success.
Click to expand...

My opinion is unchanged; IMAP wins hands down on speed if push mail (the default in most email apps) is used, as I have already said in an earlier reply.

I completely understand the reluctance to try something "new" (to you) when the old method has worked previously. Been there, got over it, never looked back. POP3 is ancient (in internet terms) and has advantages in a tiny number of case studies, but whatever you may have read it is not designed for the application you have been using it for.

IMAP will almost certainly do what you want easily and without fuss. Just try it, it won't bite you and you can always go back to fighting with non-standard POP3 protocols if all else fails :-)
 
Hi John,

Need help with the following in the setup

When I mark a message in IMAP as deleted: Auto-Expunge on - Immediately update the server. (default) Auto-Expunge off - Wait for the client to update the server.


When a message is marked as deleted and expunged from the last visible IMAP folder: Archive the message (default) Move the message to the Bin Immediately delete the message forever


Folder Size Limits Do not limit the number of messages in an IMAP folder (default) Limit IMAP folders to contain no more than this many messages 1,0002,0005,00010,000
 
I agree with John Bean that in most cases IMAP is superior to POP3. And that Outlook has major drawbacks, but unfortunately you seem pretty well locked into it.

Are you certain your Gmail is set to POP3? IMAP is the default.

Read this:
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-gmail-anywhere-imap-versus-pop.html

In a nutshell, IMAP handles mail on the server. It stays on the server and syncs automatically, including folders, across multiple PCs and/or mobile devices. POP3 mail is downloaded to your device and does not sync.

Also, Gmail can do true 'push' immediate notifications on desktops or mobile devices. If you use the dedicated Gmail app on your phone it will do true push email and notification. Other mobile email clients will not, they must use polling (see IMAP_IDLE below). Unfortunately, the Gmail app works for Gmail accounts only.

Many users mistakenly believe that IMAP email can do push email by using the IMAP_IDLE command. It cannot. The IMAP_IDLE command, which I do *not* recommend using on mobile devices if battery usage is a major concern, is not *true* push email. IMAP actually is not capable of true push email or instant notifications. For more info lookup IMAP in Wikipedia or read this easy to understand explanation courtesy of the Enhanced Email FAQs:

http://quantumsolutions.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=154
 
Thanks John and Crashdamage for all your help and advice. Tried to set up IMAP and failed miserably (something to do with authentication). Most instructions on setting up IMAP (google search) are so out of date that they do not give correct step-by-step that reflects Outlook 2010's configuration.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind now that POP is what suits me best. I've absolutely no interest in syncing and only require that the server delivers mail to Outlook and Android within a reasonable time from receipt (push is not an issue). I'm a great believer in the old adage "if it ain't broke - don't try to fix it", so I'm back to my original post - why does Yahoo addresses work fine in my Galaxy S4 with POP and Gmail does not.
T
 
I'm a great believer in the old adage "if it ain't broke - don't try to fix it"
Click to expand...

No arguments from me on that. Unfortunately your current setup is indeed broken and needs fixing, something that may not be possible.

If you must retain POP3 for Outlook consider not attempting POP on Android but instead use the dedicated Gmail app as Crashdamage mentions which uses its own mechanisms for mail handling. It can provide the instant notifications you require.
 
Many users mistakenly believe that IMAP email can do push email by using the IMAP_IDLE command.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's why I put "push" in quotes in my reply, I was just keeping it simple at the expense of strict accuracy. My point was that the (pseudo) "push" using IMAP_IDLE is typically much quicker than the usual POP3 polling frequency of several minutes or even tens of minutes.

Anyway, looks like IMAP has been rejected in favour of some POP3 kludge, which is a shame IMO.
 
Again... are you *sure* you configured Gmail to use POP3 instead of the default IMAP? You must manually change it in Gmail settings via the web interface.

Also, IMAP is much simpler to setup on desktops or mobile devices, virtually automatic. Exactly what happened?

You might as well get a grip on IMAP now. Eventually, POP3 will go the way of the Dodo bird anyway. I only have 1 POP3 account left to deal with so I configured it to be handled by a Gmail account to take advantage of all the features and convenience of Gmail IMAP that POP3 just can't offer.
 
Thanks Crashdamage

I am able to send and receive e-mails in Outlook from both of the newly created Gmail accounts, so I assume the setup is correct.

There's obviously something wrong with the way I have set them up as POP3 on my Android phone. That's what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.

Do you think it is worth deleting from my phone and starting again?

T
 
See what I added to my last reply while you were answering... anyway...

Again, did you change the Gmail settings from IMAP to POP3?

If not, Outlook must be handling your Gmail account as IMAP. It would have probably configured itself automatically for that. Did you have to manually enter the server settings in Outlook? Did you do that on your phone?
 
Thanks for staying with this Crashdamage. I appreciate it and will try IMAP on one of the accounts.

I've changed the settings in Gmail to IMAP. However, I am struggling to set it up in Outlook.

Attached is a document showing the instructions from Google on how to set it up in Outlook and also each of the configuration windows for Outlook.

If you have the time, I would appreciate your help in getting all the field settings right.

For example, for the outgoing server, it says "required TLS". I can find nowhere in Outlook to configure that.

Also, there appears to be two extra configuration windows for IMAP as distinct from POP, albeit that they are both greyed out (so I assume there is no action there).

Also, has the following comment (at the end of the Google instructions) got any relevance:- "If your client does not support SMTP authentication, you won't be able to send mail through your client using your Gmail address"

Thanks

T
 
tomohawk said:
Thanks Crashdamage

I am able to send and receive e-mails in Outlook from both of the newly created Gmail accounts, so I assume the setup is correct.

There's obviously something wrong with the way I have set them up as POP3 on my Android phone. That's what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.

Do you think it is worth deleting from my phone and starting again?

T
Click to expand...

Hi, what are your server settings in your mail account?

I have set up one of my gmail accounts as a pop in my stock mail app with the following settings :-

pop.gmail.com, security type - SSL, server port - 995

smtp.gmail.com, security type - SSL, server port - 465

It picks up mail from the gmail server.

I'm assuming you have 'Pop enabled' in your gmail account :-

Settings - Forwarding and POP/IMAP - POP Download
 
I can't help with specific settings in Outlook. I've always avoided Outlook like the plague and it's not installed on anything I own.
 
Crashdamage said:
I can't help with specific settings in Outlook. I've always avoided Outlook like the plague and it's not installed on anything I own.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same position for the same reason, I wish I could be of more help to the OP but I haven't used Outlook for over fifteen years now, and then only because my employer forced it on me.

The irony is that this sort of problem (configuring IMAP) is one of many examples of why I don't use Outlook; a quick and painless configuration process on most other clients can be an long drawn out exercise in frustration with Outlook.

That said I find it hard to believe that Outlook doesn't support TLS, although I do find it very easy to believe the setting may be hard to find :-(
 
Hi tomohawk,

I'm surprised that the Galaxy S4 is unable to do what my HTC One will do ie. pick up pop mail from a gmail account using stock mail app.

Have you compared your settings with those in my earlier post?

:confused:
 
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