files/en-us/glossary/imap/index.md
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a {{Glossary("protocol")}} used to retrieve and store emails. More recent than {{Glossary("POP")}}, IMAP allows folders and rules on the server.
Unlike POP3, IMAP allows multiple simultaneous connections to one mailbox. Clients accessing a mailbox can receive information about state changes made from other clients. IMAP also provides a mode for clients to stay connected and receive information on demand.
Mark Crispin initially developed IMAP in 1986 as Interim Mail Access Protocol. IMAP4 revision 1 is the current version, defined by RFC 3501.