.jpg%3Ftable%3Dblock%26id%3D2f031cb2-e29c-80b4-a9f7-c46868794def%26cache%3Dv2&w=2048&q=75)
Why Use IMAP with Gmail?
If you're running a business with a custom domain email like you@yourcompany.com, you've probably wondered: "Can I check this email in Gmail?" The answer is yes—and it's easier than you think!
IMAP acts as a bridge between your custom email server and Gmail. Unlike POP3, IMAP keeps everything synchronized across devices. Delete an email on your phone? It's deleted everywhere. Read a message on your laptop? It shows as read on all devices.
💡 Why Choose Gmail + IMAP?
- Use Gmail's powerful spam filtering for your business email
- Access your custom email from the Gmail mobile app
- Keep all your emails in one familiar interface
- Never miss important emails with Gmail's reliable notifications
This guide will walk you through connecting your business email to Gmail. Whether you use Tempusmail, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another email provider, these instructions will work for you.
What You Need Before Starting
Before you begin, gather these items:
✅ Gmail Account – A free Gmail account where you want to receive business emails
✅ Custom Email Address – Your business email like you@yourcompany.com
✅ Email Password – The password for your custom email (not your Gmail password)
✅ IMAP Server Settings – Your email provider's server address (provided below)
ℹ️ Where to Find Your IMAP Settings Your email provider typically shares these settings in their help documentation or account settings. For Tempusmail users, find your settings at panel.tempusmail.com under Account Settings → Email Configuration.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Follow these 8 steps carefully to add your custom email to Gmail and send and receive messages seamlessly.
Step 1: Open Gmail Settings
Log into your Gmail account and click the gear icon in the top right corner. From the dropdown menu, select "See all settings".
Step 2: Navigate to Accounts and Import
Click the "Accounts and Import" tab. This is where you connect external email accounts.
Step 3: Add a Mail Account
Find the section labeled "Check mail from other accounts" and click "Add a mail account".
Step 4: Enter Your Custom Email Address
A popup window will appear. Type your full custom email address (e.g., john@yourcompany.com) and click Next.
Step 5: Select "Import emails from my other account (POP3)"
Choose the option to import emails. Although it says POP3, Gmail will prompt you for IMAP settings when you use port 993.
⚠️ Important Note If you see "Link accounts with Gmailify", this is only for specific providers. Most custom domain emails should use the import option.
Step 6: Enter Your IMAP Server Settings
This is the most important step. Enter your email provider's IMAP settings:
IMAP Settings (Incoming Mail)
IMAP Server: imap.qboxmail.com Port: 993 Security: SSL/TLS Username: your-email@yourdomain.com Password: [your QBox password]
💡 For Tempusmail Users Your IMAP settings are:
- Server: imap.qboxmail.com
- Port: 993
- Security: SSL/TLS
- Username: your-email@yourdomain.com
- Password: [your QBox password]
Step 7: Configure Additional Options
Gmail will offer several helpful options. We recommend:
- ✅ Leave a copy on the server – Check this to keep emails on your server
- ✅ Label incoming messages – Helps identify which emails came from your custom address
- ❌ Archive incoming messages – Skip this if you want emails in your inbox
Step 8: Set Up Sending (Optional but Recommended)
Gmail will ask if you want to send emails from your custom address. Select "Yes" and enter your SMTP settings:
SMTP Settings (Outgoing Mail)
SMTP Server: smtp.qboxmail.com Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) Security: SSL/TLS (port 465) or STARTTLS (port 587) Username: your-email@yourdomain.com Password: [your QBox password] Authentication: Required
💡 For Tempusmail Users – SMTP Settings Your SMTP settings are:
- Server: smtp.qboxmail.com
- Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS)
- Security: SSL/TLS (port 465) or STARTTLS (port 587)
- Username: your-email@yourdomain.com
- Password: [your QBox password]
Gmail will send a verification email to confirm you own the address. Check your inbox and click the confirmation link.
🎉 Congratulations!
Your custom email is now connected to Gmail! Emails will start syncing within a few minutes.
Troubleshooting Common Errors
Running into issues? Here are solutions to the most common problems:
❌ "Couldn't identify server" or "Server not found"
This error means Gmail can't locate your email server. Try these fixes:
- Double-check the server address – Ensure there are no typos
- Try the full domain – Use imap.qboxmail.com instead of just qboxmail.com
- Check with your provider – Some use different addresses
- Wait 24–48 hours – If your domain is new, DNS might still be propagating
❌ "Connection timed out"
Gmail couldn't connect to your server in time. Try these fixes:
- Check the port number – IMAP uses port 993 for SSL/TLS
- Verify SSL is enabled – Always use the secure option with port 993
- Check firewall settings – Ask your email provider if port 993 is open
- Try port 143 – Some servers use this with STARTTLS instead
❌ "Authentication failed" or "Invalid credentials"
Your username or password isn't working. Common solutions:
- Use your full email address – Not just the username before @
- Reset your password – Create a new one from your email provider's panel
- Check for special characters – Some passwords with symbols may need escaping
- Generate an app password – If your provider uses two-factor authentication
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my emails be deleted from my original server?
No! As long as you check "Leave a copy on the server" during setup, your emails stay on both Gmail and your original email server.
Can I add multiple custom email addresses to Gmail?
Yes! Gmail allows you to add up to 5 external email accounts. Just repeat this process for each email address.
How often does Gmail check for new emails?
Gmail checks for new mail approximately every hour for imported accounts. You can manually refresh by clicking the refresh button.
Is IMAP better than POP3?
For most users, yes! IMAP syncs across all devices, while POP3 downloads emails to one device. With IMAP, changes you make (like deleting or reading) sync everywhere.
What's the difference between port 993 and port 143?
Port 993 uses SSL/TLS encryption from the start (implicit SSL), making it more secure. Port 143 starts unencrypted and upgrades to TLS (STARTTLS). We recommend port 993 for better security.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to add your custom email to Gmail using IMAP. By following this guide, you now have:
- ✅ Your business email synced with Gmail's powerful interface
- ✅ Access to your custom email from the Gmail mobile app
- ✅ The ability to send emails using your professional domain
- ✅ All your communications in one organized inbox
Ready to Get Your Own Professional Email?
Start with Tempusmail today and get premium email hosting with easy IMAP/SMTP access, 99.9% uptime, and 24/7 support.
Get Started Free →
Quick Reference: Server Settings
IMAP Settings (Incoming Mail)
IMAP Server: imap.qboxmail.com Port: 993 Security: SSL/TLS Username: your-email@yourdomain.com Password: [your QBox password]
SMTP Settings (Outgoing Mail)
SMTP Server: smtp.qboxmail.com Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) Security: SSL/TLS (port 465) or STARTTLS (port 587) Username: your-email@yourdomain.com Password: [your QBox password]
POP Settings (Alternative)
POP Server: pop.qboxmail.com Port: 995 Security: SSL/TLS Username: your-email@yourdomain.com Password: [your QBox password]