Today, we’ll be discussing something quite important – backing up IMAP emails, particularly if you extensively use emails for your daily communications in both work and personal lives. We’ll be using a tool called Mail Backup X developed by InventPure. So, why not let’s get started quickly and see how you can secure your information with ease.

What is IMAP?

So, first let’s clarify what IMAP actually means. IMAP is a protocol, which means a set of rules or instructions, which allows email clients, which are programs or apps that you use to check your email, to access and retrieve messages from email servers, which are computers that store and send your messages, over a network connection.

Being able to open your inbox and have access to your emails from anywhere is really great, but it also means your data is out there, on the servers, floating in the digital space. If something happens to the servers or to your account, you will not be able to get back to those emails.

That is why backing up IMAP emails should be your top concern if you are a security-minded individual.

The Efficient Approach to IMAP Backups

Mail Backup X, the backup application, offers a straightforward process to back up your IMAP emails. You simply connect to your email account, adjust the settings as needed, specify where the backups will be stored, and that’s it. The tool provides various customizations, security, and every other aspect that one needs to have accessible and safe backup of IMAP data.

The tool also has an automatic incremental option which means the backups are updated in real-time as new emails arrive. It has encryption which protects your files and their contents from anyone trying to access without authorization. It lets you view and manage your emails from the backup files directly. No need to restore them to any other outside application. The tool compresses the backup files without losing any details or data fidelity.

Systematic Method For IMAP Backups

So, if you’re wondering how the tool works, and how much time it will take for you to set it up, and get the IMAP backup routine going, you will be glad to know that it’s very quick and simple.

After you have installed the software, connect to your email account and then adjust the backup parameters like frequencies, security, etc. The software guides you through each step with simple and clear instructions. And for advanced users, there are a lot of customizations, so you don’t have to worry about sticking to any standard or default approach.

1. Step 1: go to the website (mailbackupx.com) and from the download page, download the tool that matches your operating system. If you are a Windows user, you’ll also need to find out if your system is running a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture; this detail will help you download the most compatible version.
2. Step 2: locate the file that you downloaded, usually in the downloads folder. Double click to launch the installer and simply follow the standard installation procedure. The installer will guide you through a few basic steps like choosing an installation directory, agreeing to terms and conditions, etc. The default choices are perfectly suitable for most use cases, but feel free to customize if you have specific preferences.
3. Step 3: you’re now ready to launch the tool and get started with your IMAP backup profile. You can find Mail Backup X in your operating system’s designated programs or applications area, such as on the desktop or start menu on Windows, or the Applications folder on macOS. On first launch, the software will ask you to activate it; this is where you will enter the license key once you have a paid subscription. For now, you can click the “Activate Free Trial” button and then proceed accordingly.
4. Step 4: The very next screen after activation is the central control panel where you will manage all your IMAP backup (or any other email client) activities, monitor the progress, and even export data to any other formats, and many more. It’s worth while to have a look around and get familiarized with the layout of the land. On the left is the navigation bar; in the center is the daily activity graph; separate panels like notifications, activity, and tasks.
5. Step 5: The tasks section offers various actions and shortcuts. Under this panel, look for an option labeled “Set Up a New Backup Now” and then click on it to get started. If you’re curious about your existing profiles that you may have created previously, there is a dedicated section in the left side navigation bar labeled “My Backup Profiles”. This will show a list of your existing profiles. If there are no profiles, you can click on “Add a New Backup Profile Now”. If there are existing profiles, click on “Add New Backup” button at the top.
6. Step 6: Next, the application asks you to specify the type of email you want to back up. You will see options for various desktop email clients such as Apple Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird, Postbox. Today we are backing up IMAP, so you will ignore the desktop-based clients and proceed by first clicking on “Email Server” to bring up a list of supported Webmail providers. You will see some familiar names like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook. But since the application is flexible, it has ways to integrate other servers too. If your email provider is not listed, look for the “IMAP Server” option and then click on it.
7. Step 7: Curate your folder collection for backups. The application analyzes your account and retrieves a detailed list of all the folders in their original structure or hierarchy. You will see folders such as Inbox, Sent, Drafts, but also the custom folders that you created for organizational purposes. Next to each folder will be a checkbox. If a checkbox is ticked, it means the folder will be included, and an empty checkbox indicates that the folder will be excluded from the final IMAP backup files.
8. Step 8: It’s time to specify how your IMAP backup profile will operate, including where it is stored, how secure it is, and how often it updates.
   1. Start by naming the profile as a way for you to identify this specific set of settings and files.
   2. Choose a storage medium that is both secure and has sufficient space to accommodate your backup data. You can choose any folder on your computer’s hard drive or on an external hard drive or network-attached storage. There are also options for online cloud providers such as Google Drive.
   3. Enable encryption if you handle sensitive information or simply wish for an additional layer of privacy. Click on the “Secured Encrypted” button and then go through the security setup that the tool asks to complete.
   4. Choose when the backup should run. Select either automatic when new items arrive or recurring to set a regular schedule. There’s also a manual option for never running it automatically (only when you click the start backup button.)

Once you’ve clicked the save button, you’re just a step away from completing the setup process. Your IMAP backup profile is now almost ready to go, with all your chosen parameters securely in place.

Just a final confirmation, and you’ll be all set to enjoy hassle-free email backups from your IMAP based account with Mail Backup X.

If you’re not sure about diving straight into Mail Backup X, there’s a free version available meant for trial purposes. It’s the best way to check if the tool meets your needs. There’s no reason or need for financial commitment straight away. Grab the free trial copy from the official website and get the tool running on your system. Check out if it works for your purposes. It likely will. It is one of the most recommended IMAP email backup solutions.