Optimum Email Settings: IMAP, POP & SMTP (Suddenlink Too)
Optimum’s IMAP, POP and SMTP settings for Outlook, iPhone, Gmail and other apps — with the separate Suddenlink servers.
Quick answer
Optimum Email server settings
- IMAP Incoming SSL/TLS
-
mail.optimum.netport 993
- SMTP Outgoing SSL/TLS
-
mail.optimum.netport 465
- POP3 Download SSL/TLS
-
mail.optimum.netport 995
- Username
- Your full email address (e.g. @optimum.net)
- Suddenlink servers
- imap.suddenlink.net, pop.suddenlink.net, smtp.suddenlink.net
- Mailbox storage
- 5 GB
You can read Optimum email in Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, the iPhone or Android Mail app and more using these settings, published by Optimum. Suddenlink addresses use their own server names.
Server settings
| Optimum (@optimum.net) | Suddenlink (@suddenlink.net) | Port | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming — IMAP | mail.optimum.net | imap.suddenlink.net | 993 (SSL) |
| Incoming — POP | mail.optimum.net | pop.suddenlink.net | 995 (SSL) |
| Outgoing — SMTP | mail.optimum.net | smtp.suddenlink.net | 465 (SSL) |
Optimum labels each SSL port a secure connection and recommends it if your app supports it.
Username and password
- User name: your full email address, including the domain — for example
@optimum.netor@suddenlink.net. - Password: the password for that email address.
- Outgoing authentication must be on. If your app has a checkbox called My outgoing server requires authentication, tick it, along with use same settings as my incoming mail server. Optimum calls this out specifically.
IMAP or POP?
Optimum recommends IMAP if you read email on more than one device. IMAP keeps mail on the server and synchronised — delete, send or mark something unread on one device and it shows everywhere. POP downloads your email to the device without leaving a copy on the server, so changes on one device don’t reach the others.
Which apps work
Optimum names Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail and the Mail apps on iPhone and Android as examples of third-party clients that can use these settings. Settings that live on Optimum’s server — such as your vacation message, mail forwarding and mail filters — are managed in Optimum webmail under Settings › Mail, whichever app you read mail in.
Mail missing since you set up an app?
That’s the POP effect. Optimum says that if forwarding and filters aren’t the cause, a phone, tablet or Outlook set up with POP3 may be downloading your emails. Switch every device to IMAP.
Other fixes
- Changed your password? Optimum says to update it on every device that collects your mail.
- Mailbox full: Optimum mailboxes have a 5 GB limit; Deleted and Junk count too. Clear space in webmail — see Optimum email login.
- Locked out? See Optimum password reset.
Prefer not to type it all? The Email Settings Finder fills in the right servers for an optimum.net or suddenlink.net address.
How this guide was checked · October 2026
Verified against 2 official sources
Every step, setting and limit in this guide was checked against the provider’s own documentation on optimum.net. Anything we couldn’t confirm was left out.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the Optimum IMAP server?
mail.optimum.net on port 993 with SSL. Suddenlink addresses use imap.suddenlink.net.
What is the Optimum SMTP server?
mail.optimum.net on port 465 with SSL, with outgoing authentication turned on. Suddenlink uses smtp.suddenlink.net.
Should I use IMAP or POP for Optimum email?
Optimum recommends IMAP if you use more than one device; POP downloads mail without leaving a copy on the server.
What username do I use for Optimum email in Outlook?
Your full email address, including @optimum.net or @suddenlink.net.
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