What is the difference between SMTP, POP3, and IMAP?

SMTP is used for sending mail, while POP3 and IMAP are used for retrieving it. POP3 downloads messages to one device, and IMAP keeps them synchronized across all devices.

Think of SMTP as the mail ship delivering your letters, POP3 as offloading them permanently at one dock, and IMAP as maintaining a shared manifest available from every port.

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