Custom Email Setup (SMTP/IMAP)
Connect any email provider using SMTP and IMAP protocols.
Overview
Use SMTP/IMAP when:
- Your email provider isn't directly supported
- You need full control over settings
- Using self-hosted email servers
- Corporate email requirements
Prerequisites
- SMTP server credentials
- IMAP server credentials
- Email account with IMAP enabled
- Firewall access to mail servers
Step 1: Gather Credentials
Required Information
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| Email Address | support@company.com |
| IMAP Server | imap.company.com |
| IMAP Port | 993 |
| SMTP Server | smtp.company.com |
| SMTP Port | 587 |
| Username | support@company.com |
| Password | App password or regular password |
Common Providers
| Provider | IMAP Server | IMAP Port | SMTP Server | SMTP Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | imap.gmail.com | 993 | smtp.gmail.com | 587 |
| Outlook | outlook.office365.com | 993 | smtp.office365.com | 587 |
| Yahoo | imap.mail.yahoo.com | 993 | smtp.mail.yahoo.com | 587 |
| Zoho | imap.zoho.com | 993 | smtp.zoho.com | 587 |
Step 2: Connect in Fyncall
- Go to Settings → Channels → Email
- Click Add Email Account
- Select Custom (SMTP/IMAP)
- Enter your credentials
IMAP Settings
Server: imap.yourcompany.com
Port: 993
Security: SSL/TLS
Username: support@yourcompany.com
Password: ********
SMTP Settings
Server: smtp.yourcompany.com
Port: 587
Security: STARTTLS
Username: support@yourcompany.com
Password: ********
From Name: Your Company Support
Step 3: Security Options
Encryption
| Option | Port | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SSL/TLS | 993 (IMAP), 465 (SMTP) | Full encryption |
| STARTTLS | 143 (IMAP), 587 (SMTP) | Upgrade to encryption |
| None | 143, 25 | Not recommended |
App Passwords
For providers requiring app passwords (2FA enabled):
- Generate app password in your email provider
- Use app password instead of regular password
- Label it "Fyncall" for identification
Gmail App Password
- Go to Google Account → Security
- Enable 2-Step Verification
- Go to App passwords
- Generate password for "Mail"
Outlook App Password
- Go to Microsoft Account → Security
- Under App passwords, create new
- Use generated password
Step 4: Configure Folders
IMAP Folders
Map your folders:
| Local Folder | IMAP Folder |
|---|---|
| Inbox | INBOX |
| Sent | Sent |
| Drafts | Drafts |
| Archive | Archive |
Folder Sync
Choose which folders to sync:
✓ INBOX
✓ Support
✓ Orders
☐ Newsletters
☐ Archived
Step 5: Test Connection
Test IMAP
- Click Test IMAP Connection
- Verify "Connection successful"
- Check emails are visible
Test SMTP
- Click Send Test Email
- Enter your email address
- Check for test email receipt
Advanced Settings
Polling Interval
How often to check for new emails:
| Interval | Use Case |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | Time-sensitive support |
| 5 minutes | Standard support |
| 15 minutes | Low volume |
Sync Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Full sync | All emails (may be slow) |
| Incremental | Only new emails |
| Date range | Last 30 days |
Connection Pool
For high-volume accounts:
Max connections: 5
Keep-alive: Enabled
Timeout: 30 seconds
Troubleshooting
Connection Refused
- Check server address and port
- Verify firewall allows connection
- Check if IMAP is enabled
- Try different port/security combo
Authentication Failed
- Verify username (usually full email)
- Check password (use app password if 2FA)
- Ensure account isn't locked
- Check for special characters in password
SSL Certificate Error
- Check server certificate is valid
- Try allowing self-signed certs (testing only)
- Contact email provider for certificate issues
Emails Not Syncing
- Verify folder names match exactly
- Check IMAP folder subscriptions
- Review sync settings
- Check for storage quota issues
Cannot Send
- Verify SMTP credentials
- Check sending limits
- Verify From address is allowed
- Check SPF/DKIM records
Self-Hosted Email
Additional Considerations
For self-hosted email servers:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| SSL Certificate | Valid, not self-signed |
| SPF Record | Include Fyncall IPs |
| DKIM | Sign outgoing emails |
| DMARC | Configure policy |
| Reverse DNS | PTR record for IP |
Example DNS Records
# SPF
v=spf1 include:yourserver.com include:fyncall.com -all
# DKIM
default._domainkey.yourdomain.com IN TXT "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=..."
# DMARC
_dmarc.yourdomain.com IN TXT "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com"
Performance Tips
For High Volume
- Increase connection pool
- Enable keep-alive
- Use dedicated IMAP folders
- Archive old conversations
For Reliability
- Set up monitoring
- Configure failover SMTP
- Regular credential rotation
- Test connections periodically