POP and SMTP server settings

CenturyLink email updates

We have recently updated our email system. If you have not yet signed in since the update, please note that you will be asked to provide your email and/or mobile phone number for easy password recovery. Just follow the steps to do this and then enjoy your new email experience.

IMPORTANT: If you are using a mail client, you will need to sign in to that application and check the server settings on your device to make sure they follow the information shown in the table. FAQs >

Incoming Server (choose POP or IMAP)	POP: pop.centurylink.net, Port: 995, Security: SSL IMAP: mail.centurylink.net, Port: 993, Security: SSL
Outgoing Server	SMTP: smtp.centurylink.net, Port: 587, Security: TLS if available

You can set up your CenturyLink email to work with other email programs and on multiple devices. We provide step-by-step instructions for Mac OS, iOS, Android and Windows. For all other programs and devices, you will need the POP/SMTP server settings on this page as you follow the instructions for your specific device or program.

Please note that your CenturyLink email login is different from your My CenturyLink online account login.

Choose your email address domain from the options below to see the POP/SMTP settings.

Centurylink.net and the domains listed here all have the same settings.

centurytel.net
clds.net
coastalnow.net
cochill.net
cswnet.com
elpasotel.net
embarqmail.com
emadisonriver.com

emadisonriver.net
gallatinriver.net
grics.net
gulftel.com
madisonriver.biz
mebtel.net
qwest.net
q.com

Domains	These settings work for the following email domains: centurylink.net, q.com, elpasotel.net, embarqmail.com, centurytel.net, cswnet.com, clds.net, coastalnow.net, cochill.net, emadisonriver.com, emadisonriver.net, gallatinriver.net, grics.net, gulftel.com, madisonriver.biz, mebtel.net, qwest.net
Incoming Server (choose POP or IMAP)	POP: pop.centurylink.net, Port: 995, Security: SSL IMAP: mail.centurylink.net, Port: 993, Security: SSL
Outgoing Server	SMTP: smtp.centurylink.net, Port 587 TLS if available
Username	Full email address
Server Limits	Email box storage limit: 700MB Email send size limit: 10MB

Domains	qwestoffice.net
Incoming Server (choose POP or IMAP)	POP: pop.qwestoffice.net, Port: 110, Security: N/A
Outgoing Server	SMTP: smtp.qwestoffice.net, Port: 465, Security: SSL
Username	Full email address
Server Limits	Email box storage limit: 700MB Email send size limit: 10MB

When you set up your email program, you may be prompted to "leave a copy of your emails on the server." We recommend you accept this option.
"Email Size Limit" refers to the size of a single email, and "Send To Limits" include the To, CC and Bcc fields in emails. These limits are the same whether you're using webmail or SMTP.

More about POP/SMTP and IMAP server settings

SMTP, POP3 and IMAP are different ways your email program (say, Outlook) communicates with your email provider (CenturyLink). Here are some simplified explanations:

POP3 (Post Office Protocol)—Like its name implies, POP3 is the equivalent of the post office. It's for storing your email.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)—SMTP gets your email from one place to the next, routing it between servers and eventually to your computer desktop. An SMTP port sends an email through a network and to its recipient. If you were sending snail mail, it would be the mailman. CenturyLink filters port 25 for increased security. Learn more about port 25 filtering.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)—IMAP is a fancier version of POP3. For instance, with IMAP, you can keep your email on the server, something you can't do with POP3. IMAP requires more server space and computing power to operate. We don't currently support IMAP.