# How to configure a secure IMAP email account in Outlook 2016

> Learn how to add a secure IMAP email account to Outlook 2016 using SSL encryption and the correct server settings from cPanel.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-other-devices/how-to-configure-a-secure-imap-e-mail-account-in-outlook-2016
Updated: 2026-06-09

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IMAP syncs your messages across all your devices, so it is the recommended choice if you check email on more than one computer or phone. POP3 downloads messages to a single device instead. This guide walks you through adding a secure IMAP account in Outlook 2016.

## Before you start

You will need your incoming and outgoing server hostnames. To find them:

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Go to **Email Accounts**.
3. Click **Manage** next to the relevant email address.
4. Scroll down to **Mail Client Manual Settings** and note the hostnames listed under **SSL/TLS Settings (Recommended)**.

## Add the account

1. Open Outlook 2016, click **File**, then click **Add Account**.

   ![Add Account screen in Outlook 2016](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/73/8c/738cfbc6e2c22bec6cf751ce9d0d41229576f97d.gif)

2. Select **Manual setup or additional server types**, then click **Next**.

   ![Manual setup option](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/75/a2/75a2e71f225fcc372f00759354438e22b8ac6693.png)

3. Select **POP or IMAP**, then click **Next**.

   ![POP or IMAP option](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/cc/52/cc52c9952bdfacebe5899616930d23f05a0f1559.png)

4. Fill in the account details as follows.

   **User information**
   - **Your Name** - the name you want to appear in the From field of outgoing emails.
   - **Email Address** - the email address you are configuring.

   **Server information**
   - **Account Type** - select **IMAP**.
   - **Incoming mail server** - use the SSL incoming server hostname from cPanel.
   - **Outgoing mail server (SMTP)** - use the SSL outgoing server hostname from cPanel.

   **Logon information**
   - **User Name** - your full email address.
   - **Password** - the password for this email account.
   - Tick **Remember password**.
   - Leave **Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA)** unticked unless your network specifically requires it.

   Then click **More Settings**.

   ![Account settings screen](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/89/cb/89cbe4396d619b25ae11a4cbaa238f6cc886c1da.png)

5. In the **More Settings** window, go to the **Outgoing Server** tab. Tick **My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication** and select **Use same settings as my incoming mail server**.

   ![Outgoing Server tab](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/4f/4b/4f4be6b9a5df341a6b79a381b30770b69d1a46bf.png)

6. Switch to the **Advanced** tab and enter the following port and encryption settings:

   | Setting | Value |
   |---|---|
   | Incoming server (IMAP) port | 993 |
   | Incoming server encryption | SSL/TLS |
   | Outgoing server (SMTP) port | 465 |
   | Outgoing server encryption | SSL/TLS |

   Click **OK**.

   ![Advanced tab with port settings](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/be/4f/be4faa527735b15ab0c4c980dce2df6664d2f958.png)

7. You will return to the main account settings window. Click **Next**.

   ![Main account settings window](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/b9/65/b965c53a950bca2e455bb22d0369524a33140b25.png)

8. Outlook will run a quick connection test. If everything is configured correctly, both tasks will show a green tick.

   ![Successful test screen](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/cb/95/cb954192dcbc0aeca41e398ba0ea850ce6c74aea.png)

   If the test fails, go back through steps 4 to 6 and double-check your server hostnames, ports, and encryption settings.

9. Click **Close** on the test results screen, then click **Finish**.

   ![Finish screen](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/22/cb/22cbc531de611c691ca2a27b3e2dc039ab777265.png)

Outlook will open your new inbox and begin syncing your messages.

   ![New inbox in Outlook 2016](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/4e/fc/4efcb4904bd7cac0deb0309adaa4cdc9abe5fc31.png)

:::tip
If you need help, open a support ticket from within your Kualo client area.
:::

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-other-devices/how-to-configure-a-secure-imap-e-mail-account-in-outlook-2016 · © Kualo Ltd._