How to Access Your AIM Mail Account via POP or IMAP

Read your AOL emails in another client

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on March 16, 2021

What toKnow

  • Open your email app and enter the following settings:
  • For IMAP, enter imap.aol.com for incoming mail server and 993 for IMAP port; smtp.aol.com for outgoing and 465 for SMTP port.
  • For POP, enter pop.aol.com for incoming mail server and 995 for port.

This article explains how to set up your preferred email client (such as Windows Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Mac OS X Mail) via IMAP or POP so you can read AIM Mail messages there, without having to access the AIM Mail interface itself.

Access Your AIM Mail Account in Your Email Program via IMAP: General Settings

Use IMAP settings to access your free AIM Mail account in any email program.

  1. Make sure your email program can access IMAP accounts.

    Windows Mail, Outlook, OS X Mail, Evolution, Mozilla Thunderbird, iOS Mail, and Eudora all use IMAP.

  2. Enter imap.aol.com for the IMAP (incoming mail) server.

    A screenshot of IMAP Account Settings with the Server field highlighted

  3. Enter your AOL Mail login name for the IMAP login.

  4. Enter your AOL password for the IMAP password.

  5. Select yes for IMAP SSL/TLS required.

    A screenshot of IMAP Account Settings with the Require SPA option highlighted

  6. Enter 993 for the IMAP port.

    A screenshot of IMAP Account Settings with the Incoming Port field highlighted

  7. Enter smtp.aol.com for the Outgoing mail server (SMTP).

    A screenshot of IMAP Account Settings with the outgoing mail server field highlighted

  8. Enter 465 for the SMTP port.

    A screenshot of IMAP Account Settings with the Outgoing Mail port field highlighted

  9. Complete the setup in your email application.

Access Your AIM Mail Account in Your Email Program via POP: General Settings

If you prefer to download all mail and keep it locally on your computer, POP access might be right for you.

To download mail from your AIM Mail account into your email program using POP:

  1. Enter pop.aol.com for the POP (incoming mail) server.

    A screenshot of POP Account Settings with the Incoming Mail server field highlighted

  2. Enter your AOL email address for your AOL Mail login name.

  3. Enter your AOL password for the POP password.

  4. Select yes for POP SSL/TLS required.

    A screenshot of POP Account Settings with the SPA requirement option highlighted

  5. Enter 995 for the POP port.

    A screenshot of POP Account Settings with the Incoming Mail port highlighted

  6. Enter smtp.aol.com for the Outgoing mail server (SMTP).

    A screenshot of POP Account Settings with the Outgoing Mail Server field highlighted

  7. Enter 465 for the SMTP port.

    A screenshot of POP Account Settings with the Outgoing Mail Port field highlighted

  8. Complete the setup in your email application.

On the Web, Almost Like on the Desktop

AIM Mail is wrapped in a distinctly friendly, fun and functional web-based interface at mail.aim.com. With drag-and-drop functionality, new mail announcements, and other features, AIM Mail feels a lot like a desktop application.But desktop software it is not.

On the Desktop, Still Faster: IMAP and POP Access

If you miss the speed, richness in features and offline access of a desktop email client, AIM Mail has very practical solutions that get you the best of both worlds: IMAP and POP access.

AIM Mail IMAP access lets you see all the folders and message you see on the web in the same manner in your desktop email program. If you read a message in the email client, it will be marked read on the web and vice versa. Everything works seamlessly and stays in sync without effort.

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