Using IMAP with AOL and AIM Mail

Access Your AOL® & AIM® Mail Any Way and Anywhere You Want It!

Access your AOL & AIM Mail on your Treo™ or BlackBerry™ or via Outlook®, Outlook Express®, Thunderbird, and other Windows® and Mac OS® email programs that support the IMAP protocol. With open access, you can:

  • Manage your e-mail - from AOL & AIM and other providers - in a single program.
  • Keep up-to-date with your AOL/AIM Mail while accessing from multiple locations, such as from home, work and while on vacation. Ensure that your email is always synched up no matter where you access it from or how you access it.

Configuring an Email Client to Access Your AOL and AIM Mail

Click the appropriate link for step-by-step configuration instructions:

AOL/AIM Mail in Outlook® Express 6
AOL/AIM Mail in Outlook® 2000
AOL/AIM Mail in Outlook® 2002 and 2003
AOL/AIM Mail in Eudora® in Mac
AOL/AIM Mail in Entourage® for Mac
AOL/AIM Mail in Mail.app (default for Mac OSX)
AOL/AIM Mail in IncrediMail®
AOL/AIM Mail in Other E-mail Applications - Including Treo™ and BlackBerry™

How to Use Microsoft® Outlook® Express 6 to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

Now you can access your AOL/AIM E-mail using any e-mail program that supports the IMAP protocol. You can set up the Microsoft® Outlook® Express software to read and send AOL/AIM e-mail.

Create a New AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Outlook Express Software

The first step to setting up the Outlook Express software is to create an AOL/AIM e-mail account. This will use your existing AOL/AIM account.

To create a new e-mail account in the Outlook Express software:

  1. Launch the Outlook Express software.

    2. Note: If prompted to specify whether you want to use Outlook Express as the default e-mail program, click the Yes button.

  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts....
  3. Click the Add button, then click Mail....
  4. In the Display name: box, type your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail messages, then click the Next> button.
  5. In the E-mail address: box, type your full e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com, then click the Next> button.
  6. Click the My incoming mail server is a drop-down menu to open it, select IMAP from the list, then click it.
  7. In the Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP, or HTTP) server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account
  8. In the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com depending on your account, then click the Next> button.
  9. In the Account name: box, type your AOL/AIM screen name.
  10. In the Password: box, type your AOL/AIM password.

    11. Note: If you want Outlook Express to save your AOL/AIM password, click the Remember password box to place a check mark in it.

  11. Click the Next> button.
  12. Click the Finish button.

Configure Your AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Outlook Express software

The Outlook Express software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL/AIM® service.

To configure your AOL/AIM e-mail in the Outlook Express software:

  1. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts....
  2. Click the Mail tab.
  3. Click imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com to highlight it, then click the Properties button.
  4. Click the Servers tab.
  5. Click the My server requires authentication box to place a check mark in it, then click the Apply button.
  6. Click the Advanced tab.
  7. In the Outgoing mail (SMTP): box, type 587, then click the Apply button.
  8. Click the IMAP tab.
  9. Click the Store special folders on IMAP server box to clear it, then click the Apply button.
  10. Click the OK button.
  11. Click the Close button.

Note: If you are prompted to download folders from the mail server, click the Yes button.


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How to Use Microsoft® Outlook® 2000 to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

You can set up the Microsoft® Outlook® 2000 to send and receive your AOL/AIM e-mail.

Create a New AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Outlook Software

The first step to setting up the Outlook software is to create an AOL/AIM e-mail account. This will use your existing AOL/AIM account.

To create a new AOL/AIM e-mail account in the Outlook software:

  1. Launch the Outlook software.

    2. Note: If you receive a message to register Outlook as the default manager for Mail, News, and Contacts, click the Yes button.

  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts....
  3. Click the Add button, then click Mail....
  4. In the Display name: box, enter your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail messages.
  5. Click the Next button.
  6. In the E-mail address: box, enter your full e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com.
  7. Click the Next button.
  8. Click the My incoming mail server is a drop-down menu to open it, choose IMAP... from the list, then click it.
  9. In the Incoming mail (POP3 or IMAP) server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  10. In the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com depending on account.
  11. Click the Next button.
  12. In the Account name: box, type you AOL/AIM screen name.
  13. In the Password: box, type your AOL/AIM password.

    14. Note: If you want the Outlook software to save your AOL/AIM password, click the Remember password box to place a check mark in it.

  14. Click the Next button.
  15. Under Which method do you want to use to connect to the Internet?, choose the Connect using my local area network (LAN) option by clicking it.

    16. Note: This works even if you are not connected through a LAN.

  16. Click the Next button.
  17. Click the Finish button.

Configure Your AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Outlook software

The Outlook software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL/AIM service

To configure your AOL/AIM e-mail account in the Outlook® software:

  1. Launch the Outlook software.
  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts....
  3. Click the Mail tab.
  4. Click imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com to highlight it.
  5. Click the Properties button.
  6. Click the Servers tab.
  7. In the Incoming Mail Server section, verify your AOL/AIM screen name and password are entered.
  8. In the Outgoing Mail Server section, click the My server requires authentication box to place a check mark in it.
  9. Click the Apply button.
  10. Click the Advanced tab.
  11. In the Outgoing Mail (SMTP): box, type 587.
  12. Click the Apply button.
  13. Click the OK button.
  14. Click the Close button.

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How to Use Microsoft® Outlook® 2002 and 2003 to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

You can read and send AOL/AIM e-mail using the Microsoft® Outlook® 2002 and Outlook® 2003 software.

Create and configure a New AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Outlook® Software

After the AOL/AIM e-mail account is set up, the Outlook software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL/AIM service.

To create and configure a new AOL/AIM e-mail account in the Outlook software:

  1. Launch the Microsoft Outlook software.
  2. Click the Tools menu, then click E-mail Accounts....
  3. Choose the Add a new e-mail account option by clicking it, then click the Next button.
  4. Choose the IMAP option by clicking it, then click the Next button.
  5. In the Your Name: box, type your name as you wish it to appear on outgoing e-mail.
  6. In the E-mail Address: box, type your full AOL/AIM e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com.
  7. In the User Name: box, type your AOL/AIM screen name, for example, GabbyGrace.
  8. In the Password: box, type your AOL/AIM password.
  9. In the Incoming mail server (IMAP): box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  10. In the Outgoing mail server (SMTP): box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com.
  11. Click the More Settings button.
  12. Click the Outgoing Server tab.
  13. Click the My outgoing server requires authentication box to place a check mark in it.
  14. Choose the Use same settings as my incoming mail server option by clicking it, then click the Advanced tab.
  15. In the Outgoing mail (SMTP): box, type 587, then click the OK button.
  16. Click the Next button.
  17. Click the Finish button.

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How to Use Eudora® to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

AOL/AIM e-mail is setup to allow you to send and receive e-mail using the Eudora® software.

Create a New AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Eudora Software

The first step to setting up the Eudora software is to create an AOL/AIM e-mail account. This will use your existing AOL/AIM account.

To create a new AOL/AIM e-mail account in the Eudora software:

  1. Launch the Eudora software.

    2. Note: If Eudora is not your default mail program, you may be prompted to specify whether you want to use it as the default by clicking the Yes or No button.

  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Options....
  3. Under Category:, click the Getting Started icon.
  4. In the Real Name: box, type your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail messages.
  5. In the Return address: box, type your full e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com.
  6. In the Mail Server (Incoming): box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  7. In the Login Name: box, type your AOL/AIM screen name.
  8. In ther SMTP Server (Outgoing): box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com.
  9. Click the Allow authentication box to place a check mark in it.
  10. Under Category:, click the Incoming Mail icon.
  11. Next to Server configuration:, choose the IMAP option by clicking it.
  12. Click the OK button.

Enable Additional Configuration Options

Before you can use Eudora to send AOL/AIM e-mail, you need to change the SMTP server port number. In order to do so, you will need to enable additional configuration options.

To enable additional configuration options:

  1. Close the Eudora software.
  2. Navigate to the Eudora program folder on your computer.

    3. Note: By default, the files are saved in C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Eudora.

  3. Double-click the Extrastuff folder.
  4. Right-click the esoteric.epi file, then click Copy.
  5. On the toolbar, click the Up icon.
  6. Right-click an empty area in the folder, then click Paste.
  7. Close the Eudora folder.

Configure Your AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Eudora software

The Eudora software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL/AIM service

To configure your AOL/AIM e-mail account in the Eudora software:

  1. Launch the Eudora software.
  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Options....
  3. Under Category:, click the Ports icon.
  4. In the SMTP Port (25): box, type 587.
  5. Click the OK button.
  6. Restart the Eudora software.

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How to Use Microsoft® Entourage® to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

AOL/AIM e-mail is setup to allow you to send and receive e-mail using the Microsoft® Entourage® software.

Create a New AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Entourage Software

The first step to setting up the Entourage software is to create an AOL/AIM e-mail account. This will use your existing AOL/AIM account.

To create a new e-mail account in the Entourage software:

  1. Launch the Entourage software.

    2. Note: If Entourage is not your default e-mail program, you may be prompted to specify whether you want to use it as the default by clicking the Yes or No button

  2. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts.
  3. Click the New drop-down menu to open it, choose Mail from the list, then click it.
  4. In the Your name: box, type your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail messages, then click the right arrow button.
  5. Under Your E-mail Address, choose the I already have an e-mail address I'd like to use option by clicking it.
  6. In the E-mail address: box, type your full e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com, then click the right arrow button.
  7. Click the My incoming mail server is a(n) drop-down menu to open it, select IMAP from the list, then click it.
  8. In the Incoming mail server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  9. In the Outgoing (SMTP) mail server: box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com, then click the right arrow button.
  10. In the Account ID: box, type your AOL/AIM screen name.
  11. In the Password: box, type your AOL/AIM password.

    12. Note:If you want Entourage to save your AOL/AIM password, click the Save password in my Mac OS keychain box to place a check mark in it.

  12. Click the right arrow button.
  13. Click the Finish button.

Configure Your AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the Entourage software

The Entourage software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL/AIM service

To configure your AOL/AIM e-mail in the Entourage software:

  1. Click the Entourage menu, then click Account Settings....
  2. Click the Mail tab.
  3. Click the account you want to use to highlight it, then click the Edit button.
  4. Click the Account Settings tab.
  5. Click the Click here for advanced sending options button.
  6. Click the Override default SMTP port box to place a check mark in it.
  7. In the Override default SMTP port box, type 587.
  8. Click the SMTP server requires authentication box to place a check mark in it.
  9. Close the Settings window.
  10. Click the OK button.
  11. Close the Accounts window.

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How to Use Mac® OS® X to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

AOL/AIM's e-mail servers allow you to send and receive e-mail using most common e-mail applications. Setting up Mail.app (Apple® OS® X Mail) is quick and easy.

Set Up Mail.app for a First Time User

If you are a first time user, you will find setting up Mail.app to send and receive AOL/AIM mail is a simple process.

To set up Mail.app for the first time:

  1. If you do not currently have an active Internet connection, sign on to the AOL/AIM service.
  2. Double-click the Mail application icon in the Applications folder or click it in the Dock.
  3. In the Full Name: box, enter your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail (for example, Gabby Grace).
  4. In the Email Address: box, enter your AOL/AIM e-mail address (for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com).
  5. In the Incoming mail server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  6. In the Account Type: box, select IMAP.
  7. In the User Name: box, enter your AOL/AIM screen name (for example, GabbyGrace).
  8. In the Password: box, enter the password for your AOL/AIM account.
  9. In the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com.
  10. Click the OK button.
  11. When you are prompted for your password, enter the password for your AOL/AIM account.
  12. Click the OK button.

Configure a New E-mail Account in Mail.app

If you have previously used Mail.app, you can set up a new e-mail account for your current information.

To configure a new e-mail account in Mail.app:

  1. Double-click the Mail application icon in the Applications folder or click it in the Dock.
  2. Click the Mail menu, then click Preferences.
  3. In the Mail Preferences window, click the Accounts tab.
  4. Click the Create Account button.
  5. In the Account Type: box, select IMAP.
  6. In the Description: box, enter a description for the mailbox. (for example, GabbyGrace, AOL/AIM E-mail).
  7. In the Email Address: box, enter your AOL/AIM e-mail address (for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com).
  8. In the Incoming Server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  9. In the User Name: box, enter your AOL/AIM screen name (for example, GabbyGrace).
  10. In the Password: box, enter the password for your AOL/AIM account.
  11. In the Outgoing Server: box, enter: smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com.
  12. Click the Use authentication when sending mail box to put a check mark in it.
  13. In the SMTP User: box, enter your AOL/AIM screen name (for example, GabbyGrace).
  14. In the SMTP Password: box, enter the password for your AOL/AIM account.
  15. Click on the Account Options tab.
  16. Ensure the Enable this Account and the Include this account when checking for new mail boxes are checked.
  17. In the Message Caching: box, click Cache all messages locally.
  18. In the Connect to server using port: box, change the number to 587.
  19. Click the OK button.

Notes:

  • If Entourage is not your default e-mail program, you may be prompted to specify whether you want to use it as the default by clicking the Yes or No button.
  • If the AOL/AIM Setup Assistant does not appear, on the Tools menu, click Accounts, and then click New. Then, skip to Step 10.

AOL/AIM's e-mail servers allow you to send and receive e-mail using most common e-mail applications. Setting up Mail.app (Apple® OS® X Mail) is quick and easy.


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Use IncrediMail® to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

You can read and send AOL/AIM e-mail using the IncrediMail® software.

Verify the version of the IncrediMail software

Make sure that you are using IncrediMail® version/Build ID 3001482 or higher.

To verify the version of the IncrediMail software:

  1. Open the IncrediMail software.

    2. Note: If IncrediMail is not your default mail client, you may be prompted to specify whether you want to use it as the default by clicking the OK button.

  2. Click the Help menu, then click About IncrediMail.
  3. If your IncrediMail version is lower than 3001482, download a new version at www.incredimail.com.

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Create Your AOL/AIM E-mail Account in the IncrediMail Software

If you have version 3001482 or higher, you can use the IncrediMail software to read and send your AOL/AIM e-mail.

To create and configure your AOL/AIM e-mail account in the IncrediMail software:

  1. Click the Tools menu, then click Accounts....
  2. Click the Add button.
  3. Under Please Select:, choose the Let me configure settings myself option by clicking it.
  4. Click the Next button.
  5. In the Your name is: box, type your name as you wish it to appear on outgoing e-mail.
  6. In the Your email address: box, enter your full e-mail address, for example, GabbyGrace@aim.com.
  7. Click the Next button.
  8. Click the My incoming mail server type is: drop-down menu to open it, choose IMAP from the list, then click it.
  9. In the Incoming mail server: box, type imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on type of account.
  10. In the Outgoing mail server: box, type smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com.
  11. Click the Next button.
  12. In the Username: box, type your AOL/AIM screen name, for example, GabbyGrace.
  13. In the Password: box, type your AOL/AIM password.

    14. Note: If you want IncrediMail to save your AOL/AIM password, click the Remember password box to place a check mark in it.

  14. Click the Finish button.

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Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail with Other E-mail Applications

To create and configure your AOL/AIM e-mail account in applications not listed above, please use the table below. If you experience difficulties, we recommend that you contact your email client's customer support department.

Incoming Mail (IMAP) Serverimap.aol.com or imap.aim.com

Use SSL: No

Port: 143
Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server:smtp.aol.com or smtp.aim.com

Use SSL: No

Use Authentication: Yes

Port: 587
Account Name:
Username:		your Screen Name (do not include @aol.com or @aim.com)
your Screen Name (do not include @aol.com or @aim.com)
Email Address:your full AOL or AIM email address (screenname@aol.com or screenname@aim.com)
Password:your AOL or AIM password


About Open Mail Access
Applications Available to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail
FAQs

About Open Mail Access

You can now send and receive your AOL/AIM e-mail using any e-mail program, as long as it supports the IMAP protocol. You get all the great features AOL/AIM e-mail has to offer and the flexibility to read and send e-mail via a third-party e-mail client.

Note: IMAP and POP3 are the major standards for reading e-mail. IMAP allows you to read your e-mail directly from the remote e-mail server and the e-mail will remain accessible on the e-mail server even if you use a different computer to access it later. POP3 requires you to download your e-mail to your computer before you can read it and the e-mail is deleted from the e-mail server as soon as it is downloaded, so the only copy of your e-mail is on the one computer used to read it. Due to security issues, e-mail programs that only use the POP3 protocol are unable to connect to the AOL/AIM Mail servers.


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Applications Available to Read and Send AOL/AIM E-mail

To see the most popular e-mail applications that are supported with our service and for step-by-step set up instructions, please go to the top of this page.


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FAQs

What Your E-mail Application Must Support
E-mail Application Set Up Basics
E-mail Application Set Up Assistance
Features Not Available with E-mail Applications

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What Your E-mail Application Must Support.

AOL/AIM e-mail can be sent and received using other e-mail applications by setting up a connection to AOL/AIM's e-mail servers. Setting up access to the servers is simple, and the settings are similar for most e-mail applications.

Your e-mail application must support IMAP as the incoming e-mail server and authenticated SMTP as the outgoing e-mail server. The application must also allow you to change the outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server.

Note: SMTP is the major standard for sending e-mail on the Internet. Using an authenticated SMTP server means that to send e-mail you must log into the SMTP server with a user name and password. The user name and password to send AOL/AIM e-mail are your AOL/AIM screen name and password.


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E-mail Application Set Up Basics

Setting up access to the AOL/AIM Mail servers is relatively simple, and the settings are similar for most e-mail applications. The basic information that you need is as follows:

Your e-mail address is screenname@aim.com or screenname@aol.com depending on your account. Be sure to include @aim.com or @aol.com suffix.
The Incoming mail (IMAP) server address is: imap.aim.com or imap.aol.com depending on your account.
The Outgoing mail (SMTP) server address is: smtp.aim.com or smtp.aol.com, port: 587.
Your user name is your AOL/AIM screen name.
Your password is you AOL/AIM password.


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E-mail Application Set Up Assistance

If you need more assistance configuring your e-mail software, check the program Help files or visit the manufacturer's Website. You should be able to find the assistance you need.


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Features Not Available with E-mail Applications

The following AOL/AIM e-mail features are not available with other e-mail applications:

  • In the Recently Deleted E-mail folder, e-mail is marked ready to be deleted in the Inbox or Sent Items folders, then deleted by the AOL/AIM IMAP servers every night. Some applications show deleted e-mail in the original folder with the message flagged for deletion (such as Outlook® or Eudora®), while other applications do not show these e-mails.
  • You will not be able to check the status of a sent message or retrieve unopened e-mail from AOL members.
  • The Report Spam button is not available on IMAP. To report messages as spam, move them to your spam folder.
  • AOL/AIM IMAP servers do not allow folders to be created or deleted in the root folder. You will see an Inbox, Sent Items, Saved, Spam, and Voicemail folder. The Voicemail folder cannot be accessed unless you subscribe to the AOL Voicemail product.
  • You cannot manually add messages to the Inbox or Sent Items folders. Messages will only be added to these folders when an e-mail is received or sent by the AOL/AIM IMAP server.