Imap ((better)) Download

Using tools like mbsync or offlineimap , technical users can pull down their entire message history into local formats (like Maildir) for permanent archiving.

Most modern email services have IMAP enabled by default, but some, like Gmail, require manual activation. Example: Enabling IMAP in Gmail imap download

While IMAP is designed for "live" syncing, there are several scenarios where a deliberate download or "offline sync" is necessary: Using tools like mbsync or offlineimap , technical