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Resolved Question

How do I synchronize Gmail on Outlook and my iPhone?

Dec 8, 2011 6:21AM PST

There are three characteristics I'd like: 1) I want emails to be pushed to both Outlook and my iPhone 2) When I delete or read an email on one, I want it to delete or be marked as read on the other 3) I want the emails to reside on the devices, so that I can still read them without an Internet connection. With Exchange using offline file folders, these all work. With Gmail on Outlook and my iPhone, I can't get all three to work at the same time. If I use POP3, there's a race between my phone and Outlook and only whichever one retrieves the email first gets it. If I use IMAP, they can both get the email, but they don't store the emails when disconnected.

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jdltx has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Any reason?
Dec 8, 2011 6:30AM PST

Any reason to not try the old "leave mail on server" setting in the email apps when you use pop?

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Any reason? -- reply
Dec 9, 2011 2:55AM PST

Thanks for the advice, but leaving it on the server doesn't solve #2 -- when I delete an email on my phone or in Outlook, I want it to be deleted in the other so I don't have to manage my email in two places. Exchange takes care of that, but I haven't figured out a way in Gmail to do the same.

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There are ways but.
Dec 9, 2011 3:22AM PST

I fear most users do not want to embark on a new career writing apps or installing email servers.
Bob

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Re: There are ways but...
Dec 9, 2011 6:09AM PST

I'm up for installing a mail server and I have an Exchange 2010 server available, how would I solve my problem that way?

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In short.
Dec 9, 2011 6:16AM PST

By having the messages forwarded to your Exchange account.

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Re: mail
Dec 9, 2011 3:27AM PST

It's one of the two:
1. Use IMAP or Webmail or Exchange: central data storage, so one delete suffices, but you need to be online to see it
2. Use POP3. This downloads a copy to all devices, so you can see them offline. But as these are independent devices, they need to be deleted on each apart.

As it is being said: you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Kees

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Re: mail
Dec 9, 2011 6:07AM PST

But with an Exchange account I *can* have my cake and eat it, too. I just can't with Gmail.

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Doesn't GMail offer an IMAP account option
Dec 9, 2011 6:54AM PST

and wouldn't that suit your purpose?

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Doesn't GMail offer an IMAP account option - Reply
Dec 9, 2011 8:15AM PST

The problem with IMAP is that the email is server based, so I can't sort through emails when disconnected.