I have between 30 and 40 hours resolving an email issue. I am no computer nerd but neither Comcast nor Apple could resolve it – even working with senior advisors. Thankfully with help of the Apple Support Community I accomplished my goal.

Both Apple and Comcast want everyone to use the latest email protocol known at IMAP. That’s fine if you want to sync your emails so when you delete it on the Mac it deletes on the iPhone too. But, I did not want that. I wanted the old protocol known as POP that keeps the devices separate while at the same time getting the email on both. You can’t imagine how near impossible POP is to get - and, keep in mind - this is what I’ve had for years until recent Apple Mail software upgrades.

To have POP appear as a select option I had to set up a working account and then enter an “incorrect password on purpose” and then redo stuff so it worked. Cheers to ever figured that out!

I accomplished my goal by having POP for myself on the Mac and POP for my wife on the iPhone. But I was forced to set up IMPAP for her Mac account since no matter what I tried I could not get the system to allow me a second POP on the Mac.

Still, in the end after 30 or 40 hours I accomplished my goal. I can delete the wife’s endless string of emails about sales specials on horse food, dog food, fabric sales, etc. on the Mac and she still has them on the phone.

Do you have a persistent story to share?

 

IMAP is an ancient mail protocol (read: AOL). POP (POP3) has been the standard non-SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol for non-corporate email use since Windows 95 (maybe WIndows 3.11 ???). I'm surprised that IMAP is still hanging around and that corporate giants can't get their SMTP relay to work with POP3.

(IT Geek at Large)

 

I didn't know all this email stuff. I do know that I have email on too many devices, but sometimes it is useful. PC, laptop, iphone and on the Xfinity web site. Every now and then I clean house on a device.

I guess I'm persistent at times. We got billed for some lab work for Rick that should have been routine vs diagnostic. I fussed enough until they either ate the charges or re-billed the insurance company accordingly. Same thing once with a physical for me that was coded incorrectly. They didn't or couldn't re-code and re-bill and wanted me to pay 50% of the invoice. I told them no, I paid my co-pay and that's all I was required to pay. Not my fault they booked/coded the appointment incorrectly. It's a good thing I can be persistent and I do know that you need to be watchful with some things. I had someone do our taxes as I had one form I was not familiar with. She's experienced, yet our refunds weren't showing up in our bank account. I contacted her and asked perhaps if there was a glitch. She said she thought it all processed correctly. Nope it didn't. I'm not sure if she didn't get a confirmation and forgot about it or what. Glad I spoke up as both state and federal returns are now in the system, and it appears they were just filed. I emailed her to let her know I was all set. I have not heard back from her.

 

POP, post office protocol, is the ancient one (aka POP3). IMAP, internet message access protocol, is the newer one. IMAP is used by Apple for incoming only. SMTP, simple mail transfer protocol is used by Apple for outgoing only. I can't speak for any of the others, except to say Comcast is in total agree with Apple on what's the preferred protocol.

 

Lainey, I agree. You have to stay on top of stuff. I wish I could get my son to take that "pill".

 

Our son too, Dave. When he was ill recently he was able to take advantage of my resourcefulness, knowing who to call for what. Some people are not resourceful or persistent or good with staying on top of paperwork. I don't know how some survive without the use of 1-800-Call Mom and 1-800 Call Dad. He had a door latch issue on his car yesterday. We made a house call in our travels. We don't mind helping out, but wonder who's going to help us out when we need it?

 

Dave, you can toss google into that camp as well.
I run POP3 at home because I want permanent copies of mails and not be at the whim of the email provider.
I like to have the home email be the only client that actually deletes the email.

That said I am not sure one is 'better" than the other but I bet that they only want to support one mail protocol.
I've tried to get my android to work as a pop client a couple of times without success.
and as for persistence, ya I'm a PA. Professional A-hole.
Once I sink my teeth in, I never let it go. it makes me very good at what I do, that being technical root cause investigations.
I've chased technical issue for 6 months up to 2.5 years in one case where I had to correct a dozen extremely difficult and sophisticated problems along the way.

 

 

I bet you can be a persistent person, Legal Bill.

 

well he still goes fishing...