What do You Need Before the Zoho Setup?
- A Zoho Mail account you can sign in to
- Outlook for Windows installed on your PC
- IMAP access enabled in Zoho Mail
- An application specific password if two factor authentication is on
Zoho operates servers in more than one region. If your account sits outside the US region, use the server names from the Zoho IMAP help page for your region.
How do You Enable IMAP in Zoho Mail?
- Sign in to Zoho Mail in a browser.
- Select Settings, then Mail Accounts, then IMAP Access.
- Tick the IMAP access box.
What are the Zoho Mail Server Settings for Outlook?
Zoho uses different incoming servers for company and personal accounts. Use these values to configure Zoho Mail in any IMAP client. The outgoing server stays the same.
| Setting | Organization account (Zoho hosted domain) | Personal @zoho.com account |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming IMAP server | imappro.zoho.com | imap.zoho.com |
| IMAP port and security | 993 with SSL | 993 with SSL |
| Outgoing SMTP server | smtp.zoho.com | smtp.zoho.com |
| SMTP port and security | 465 with SSL | 465 with SSL |
| Username | Your full Zoho email address | Your full Zoho email address |
How do You Set up the Account Step by Step?
Method #1: Manual Setup in Outlook (Free)
Use these steps to configure Zoho Mail in Outlook for Windows.
Who it suits. Non technical users and admins with a Zoho mailbox. Extra application. None, because Outlook is enough.
- Open Outlook and select File, then Add Account.
- Select Manual setup or additional server types and then Next.
- Select POP or IMAP and then Next.
- Enter your name and Zoho email address. Set Account Type to IMAP and enter the servers from the table above.
- Enter your full email address as the user name and your Zoho password or the application password if two factor authentication is on.
- Tick Remember password and select More Settings.
- Open the Outgoing Server tab, tick SMTP authentication and choose the same settings as the incoming server.
- Open the Advanced tab, set IMAP to 993 and SMTP to 465 and choose SSL for both.
- Select OK and then Test Account Settings. Select Close when both tests pass.
Pro Tip. Outlook for Mac uses the same IMAP settings. Zoho lists the Mac steps on its Outlook for Mac IMAP page.
How do You Fix Zoho Mail Sign in Problems in Outlook?
- IMAP is off. Switch IMAP on in Zoho Mail settings first.
- Two factor authentication is on. Outlook rejects your normal password, so create an application specific password in Zoho.
- Wrong server. Company accounts use imappro.zoho.com while personal ones use imap.zoho.com.
- Sending fails. Tick SMTP authentication on the Outgoing Server tab.
- Wrong ports. Use 993 for IMAP and 465 for SMTP with SSL.
Other setups follow the same pattern. See the Zoho Mail in Outlook forum thread, the Zoho in Apple Mail thread and the Zoho in Thunderbird thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zoho Mail Work With IMAP in Outlook?
Yes. Zoho Mail works with IMAP in standard email clients and Outlook for Windows is one of them. Switch IMAP on in your Zoho settings first.
Do You Need IMAP on Before You Add the Account?
Yes. Outlook cannot connect until IMAP access is on. Open Settings, Mail Accounts, then IMAP Access.
Can You Use Your Normal Password With Two Factor Authentication?
No. Zoho asks for an application specific password in that case. Create one in the Zoho two factor help page and enter it in Outlook.
Do Company and Personal Zoho Accounts Use Different Servers?
Yes. Company accounts use imappro.zoho.com and personal accounts use imap.zoho.com. Both use smtp.zoho.com for sending.
Can You See Your Zoho Folders in Outlook After Setup?
Yes. IMAP shows the folders that sit on the Zoho server, so Inbox and Sent appear in Outlook. Large folders need time to sync.
Can You Send Mail From Outlook With Your Zoho Address?
Yes. Outlook sends through smtp.zoho.com with SMTP authentication on. Send a test mail to yourself after setup.
Does Removing the Account From Outlook Delete Your Zoho Mail?
No. Mail stays on the Zoho server. Deleting messages inside Outlook while the account is connected deletes them on the server too, so copy anything you need first.
Author's Verdict
You can add Zoho Mail to Outlook in about ten minutes when IMAP is on and the server matches your account type.
Most failures come from 2FA or the wrong server name. Check those two first and you can configure Zoho Mail without support help.
Key Takeaways
- Switch IMAP on in Zoho Mail before you touch Outlook.
- Two account types need two IMAP servers.
- Use an application password when 2FA is on.