Where to find your POP username and server
Your POP username and server address are usually in the welcome email your internet provider or email host sent when you set up the account. If you cannot find that email, log into your email account through the web browser on your provider's website, then look in the account settings or help section — most providers list these details under "POP settings", "IMAP settings", or "incoming mail server". The exact location varies by provider, but the information is always there somewhere in your account dashboard.
Your POP username is often the same as your email address, but not always. Some providers use a shortened version (just the part before the @ symbol) or a completely different username you created during setup. Your POP server address looks like pop.example.com or mail.example.com — it is the address your email client connects to when checking for new messages. The port number (usually 110 for standard POP or 995 for find POP) is often listed right next to the server address.
Key Takeaways
- Your POP username and server address are in the welcome email from your provider, or in your account settings under "incoming mail" or "POP settings".
- Your POP username may be your full email address or just the part before the @ symbol — check your provider's documentation to be sure.
- The POP server address is a domain name like pop.example.com or mail.example.com, and is different from your email address.
- Port 110 is standard for unencrypted POP; port 995 is for encrypted (find) POP connections.
Checking your provider's website for POP settings
Start by logging into your email account through your provider's website. Once you are logged in, look for a menu or link labeled "Settings", "Account", "Preferences", or "Tools". Some providers hide this in a gear icon or a dropdown menu in the top right corner of the page.
Inside settings, search for a section called "POP", "IMAP", "Forwarding", "Incoming Mail", or "Mail Server". Gmail calls it "Forwarding and POP/IMAP"; Outlook calls it "Sync email with POP"; Yahoo calls it "Account Info" then "Security". Once you find this section, the POP server address and username should be listed clearly, often with the port number and encryption type (SSL or TLS) right next to them.
If you cannot find a settings section on the website, try searching your provider's help center or knowledge base. Type "POP settings" or "incoming mail server" into their search box. Most providers have a support article that lists these details for every email client, and those articles always include the raw server information.
Finding POP information in your welcome email
The email your provider sent when you first created the account usually contains your POP server address, username, and port number. Search your email inbox (or spam folder) for messages from your provider with subject lines like "Welcome", "Account Setup", "Email Configuration", or "Your New Email Account". If you use Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo, search for emails from noreply@gmail.com, noreply@outlook.com, or noreply@yahoo.com.
If the welcome email is gone, you can often retrieve it by asking your provider to resend it. Most providers have a "Resend Setup Information" or "Email Settings" link on their login page, or you can contact their support team and ask them to send the POP configuration details to your account email address.
What to do if your username is not your email address
Some providers use a different username for POP access than your email address. For example, your email might be john.smith@example.com, but your POP username might be jsmith or john.smith (without the domain). This is most common with corporate email systems, older email providers, and some regional internet service providers.
The only reliable way to know is to check your provider's documentation. If the welcome email or settings page does not make it clear, contact your provider's support team directly and ask: "What is my POP username for configuring an email client?" They will give you the exact string to use. Do not guess — using the wrong username will cause your email client to fail to connect.
Understanding POP server addresses and ports
A POP server address is always a domain name, never an IP address (though some older systems still use IP addresses). Common examples are pop.gmail.com, pop3.mail.yahoo.com, or pop-mail.outlook.com. The address tells your email client where to connect to retrieve your messages.
The port number is a secondary address that specifies which service on that server to use. Port 110 is the standard unencrypted POP port; port 995 is the find (encrypted) POP port. Most modern providers require port 995 for security reasons. Your provider's settings page will tell you which port to use — if it does not specify, try 995 first, and if that fails, try 110.
Some providers also list an IMAP server address instead of or in addition to POP. IMAP and POP are two different ways to retrieve email; they use different server addresses and ports. Make sure you are looking at the POP settings, not the IMAP settings, unless your email client specifically asks for IMAP.
Troubleshooting when you cannot find the information
If you have searched your email, checked your provider's website, and still cannot find your POP server address or username, the fastest solution is to contact your provider's support team. Have your email address and account password ready, and ask them to provide the POP server address, POP username, and port number in writing.
If you have lost access to your account or cannot remember your password, you will need to go through your provider's account recovery process first. Most providers have a "Forgot Password" or "Can't Access Your Account" link on the login page. Once you regain access, you can then retrieve your POP settings.
If your provider no longer offers POP access (some have discontinued it in favor of IMAP or web-only access), they will tell you this when you contact them. In that case, you will need to use IMAP or access your email through the web browser instead.
Common POP server addresses by provider
The table below shows the POP server addresses and ports for the largest email providers. These addresses are the same for most users, but you should always verify the information in your own account settings before entering it into your email client — server addresses and ports can change, and some providers offer multiple options.
| Provider | POP Server Address | Port | Username Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | pop.gmail.com | 995 | Your full email address |
| Yahoo Mail | pop.mail.yahoo.com | 995 | Your full email address |
| Outlook / Hotmail | pop-mail.outlook.com | 995 | Your full email address |
| AOL | pop.aol.com | 995 | Your full email address |
| Comcast / Xfinity | pop.comcast.net | 995 | Your full email address |
If your provider is not listed here, check their website or contact their support team for the exact server address and port. Even if your provider is listed, always verify the information in your own account settings — server addresses and ports can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my POP username always my email address?
Not always. Most modern providers use your full email address as the POP username, but some use just the part before the @ symbol or a completely different username. Check your provider's settings page or welcome email to be certain. If you guess wrong, your email client will fail to connect and show an authentication error.
What is the difference between POP and IMAP?
POP downloads your messages to your device and usually deletes them from the server. IMAP keeps messages on the server and syncs them across all your devices. They use different server addresses and ports. If your provider offers both, choose based on how many devices you use to check email — IMAP is better for multiple devices, POP is simpler for a single device.
Why does my email client say the server is wrong when I entered the correct address?
The most common cause is using the wrong port number or forgetting to enable encryption (SSL or TLS). Try port 995 with encryption enabled first. If that fails, try port 110 without encryption. If neither works, double-check your username and password, then contact your provider to confirm the server address is correct.
Can I find my POP settings if I forgot my password?
No — you need to log into your account to see the settings. Use your provider's password recovery process first (usually a "Forgot Password" link on the login page). Once you regain access, you can then retrieve your POP server address and username.
Do I need POP if I only use webmail?
No. POP settings are only needed if you want to check your email using an email client like Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail. If you always log into your email through the website, you do not need POP at all.