In every case, you’ll be able to select to delete the unique copy of the message or maintain it—you may need to maintain it, in any other case it defeats the aim of making a backup. Forwarding emails is a fast and easy method of getting your messages in two locations, however if you happen to’re forwarding your emails to one other cloud account, you’ll be able to nonetheless lose entry to each copies if you happen to’re unable to get on-line for no matter cause.
Use POP and IMAP (Remember Those?)
Both POP and IMAP can be utilized to again up emails.
Microsoft by way of David NieldPOP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) are the 2 important methods of getting emails in a number of locations directly, and each requirements are supported by most electronic mail suppliers. Choosing which to use for the aim of backing up emails is a bit tough, as they have a tendency to be applied in barely alternative ways relying on the packages you are utilizing.
Generally talking, the older POP expertise is a much less efficient method of gathering two or extra copies of an electronic mail from the place your electronic mail is hosted. The newer IMAP commonplace is normally most well-liked as a result of it affords options like two-way sync. IMAP makes it simpler to maintain your inbox trying the identical throughout a number of gadgets and a number of electronic mail apps as a result of it retains speaking to the e-mail server as you go.
In this case, although, we’re not significantly apprehensive about maintaining a two-way sync: We simply need copies of our emails stashed away. IMAP can be harder to arrange offline as a result of it depends extra closely on a relentless connection to the online—you normally have to inform your electronic mail consumer to maintain sure IMAP folders offline, because it will not essentially occur routinely. But in some circumstances, POP will simply obtain all your messages, leaving your account empty and all your mail now saved in a single place—on the machine you wished to use as a backup.
It’s actually up to you which of them you employ. IMAP is greatest in order for you to find a way to work together together with your electronic mail from totally different gadgets and apps, however it requires a bit extra consideration to arrange correctly as a backup. On the opposite hand, POP is not all the time out there—iCloud helps IMAP however not POP, for instance.
Download Everything To a Desktop Client
Thunderbird is a free desktop consumer that may obtain emails by way of POP or IMAP.
Thunderbird by way of David NieldTo present a security web in opposition to most potential points—an account hack, having no web entry, by chance deleting messages—we might advocate downloading messages to a desktop electronic mail consumer similar to Microsoft Outlook or Thunderbird, and retaining them separate and untouched except you want to refer to them. POP is good so long as you be sure its settings depart copies on the server so you do not inadvertently wipe the account you are making an attempt to again up. IMAP is okay too, particularly for accessing your emails offline, however as we have mentioned any knowledge wipe catastrophe that befalls your cloud emails will likely be synced to your desktop consumer, as nicely, except you are cautious or inform it solely to sync manually.
