Use this checklist when your provider is not covered by a dedicated tutorial (or when you run your own mail server).
0rd Mail Archive syncs by connecting from Ordinal’s servers to your IMAP host over SSL/TLS. In Archive → Connect IMAP archive you enter host, port, username, and password, then Start archiving.
There is no generic OAuth button — only IMAP login fields.
What you need from your provider
Ask your host / admin (or check their “IMAP settings” page) for:
| Setting | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IMAP hostname | e.g. mail.example.com | Must be reachable from the public internet |
| IMAP port | 993 | SSL/TLS (IMAPS). Prefer 993 over plain 143 |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS | Required in practice for 0rd |
| Username | Often full email | Sometimes user only — follow provider docs |
| Password | Account or app password | Prefer app passwords / tokens when offered |
If the provider only allows OAuth2 IMAP clients and blocks passwords entirely, 0rd cannot connect until they allow an app password (or Ordinal adds that OAuth provider).
Steps in 0rd
- Sign in at 0rd.eu/archive and open Archive.
- Under Connect IMAP archive, fill in:
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| IMAP host | Provider hostname |
| IMAP port | 993 unless your provider documents another SSL IMAP port |
| IMAP username | As documented by the provider |
| IMAP password | App password or IMAP password |
- Choose Start archiving.
The form defaults IMAP port to 993.
Self-hosted / small hosts
- The IMAP server must accept connections from the internet (or at least from 0rd’s archive infrastructure). A server that only listens on a private LAN will not work.
- Use a valid TLS certificate on port 993 when possible. Broken or hostname-mismatched certificates often cause sync failures.
- Firewalls must allow inbound 993/tcp from the public internet (or from Ordinal’s sync hosts if they publish allowlists later).
App passwords and 2FA
If the mailbox has two-factor authentication, almost every modern host expects an app password or similar token for IMAP — not your interactive login password. Create one labelled for 0rd and revoke it when you disconnect.
When this will not work
- Local-only IMAP (for example Proton Bridge on
127.0.0.1) — 0rd’s servers cannot reach your PC. See Proton. - OAuth-only providers with no app-password fallback.
- POP3-only accounts — 0rd’s connect form is IMAP, not POP.
- Corporate filters that block third-party IMAP clients.
Related provider guides
Privacy reminder
Connections to source mailboxes use TLS/SSL. How IMAP credentials are held for sync vs verification is described in the Privacy statement.
See also: Connect your mailbox overview · All provider guides.