Email server settings
DreamHost IMAP settings and SMTP server
The DreamHost IMAP settings are imap.dreamhost.com, port 993 with SSL. Outgoing mail goes through smtp.dreamhost.com on port 587 with STARTTLS. Use these DreamHost host names, not mail. plus your own domain, or your mail app reports a certificate error.
Last checked October 10, 2026, against DreamHost’s own documentation.
DreamHost IMAP, POP3 and SMTP servers
| Server, port and securityServer | Port and security |
|---|---|
| IMAP · incomingimap | 993SSL/TLS |
| POP3 · incomingpop | 995SSL/TLS |
| SMTP · outgoingsmtp | 587STARTTLS |
Sign-in: Email address + its password
User name: the address you created in the DreamHost panel, for example jane@example.org. DreamHost’s overview says many apps need only the part before the @ (jane), some the full address; if one is rejected, try the other.
DreamHost SMTP settings explained
Values from DreamHost’s email client configuration overview:
- Use only these host names. DreamHost: “If you do not use one of the hostnames above, your client will fail to connect.” Connecting to
mail.example.org(your domain’smailsubdomain) causes a certificate domain mismatch (DreamHost). - IMAP over POP. POP downloads mail to one computer, where it can be lost if the device fails.
- DreamHost SMTP settings: port 587, which starts unencrypted and upgrades to TLS with STARTTLS. Port 25 also exists but is “outdated and not recommended”, and user name and password authentication must be on if you use it. The overview lists no port 465.
- Unencrypted ports 143 (IMAP) and 110 (POP) are listed as “SSL not enabled”; use 993 and 995.
- Passwords are set when you create the address on the Manage Email page of the DreamHost panel, and changed there.
DreamHost IMAP settings for Apple Mail, Outlook and phones
Apple Mail on the Mac (DreamHost’s guide): add an Other Mail Account, enter the full email address and its password, then incoming server imap.dreamhost.com (or pop.dreamhost.com) and outgoing server smtp.dreamhost.com. If you turn off automatic connection settings, use port 993 for IMAP or 995 for POP (DreamHost).
iPhone, Outlook, Thunderbird and Android: choose IMAP and enter imap.dreamhost.com (993, SSL/TLS) and smtp.dreamhost.com (587, STARTTLS), with outgoing authentication on and the same login.
Common DreamHost email errors
| Error or symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Certificate warning: domain mismatch | The app connects to mail. plus your domain. Change incoming to imap (or pop) and outgoing to smtp. |
| “Policy Rejection- Quota Exceeded” | You hit the hourly SMTP quota (below). Don’t retry for at least an hour: the block lifts only after an hour without send attempts. |
| Client fails to connect | Check that you use DreamHost’s host names and ports 993 and 587, and that outgoing authentication is on. |
DreamHost’s overview and its certificate mismatch article describe these errors. Bounces from other servers are explained in the SMTP error codes reference.
DreamHost SMTP quota
DreamHost’s limits count recipients, not messages (SMTP quota limits):
| Sending method | Recipients per hour | Recipients per message | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email client (SMTP login) | 100 | 100 | 40 MB encoded |
| Webmail | 100 | 100 | 30 MB |
| Web form with SMTP login | 100 | 100 | 40 MB encoded |
| PHP/CGI scripts, shared server | 200 per server | 40 | 40 MB encoded |
On Managed VPS and Dedicated servers, scripts have no hourly or per-message limit. Mail over the quota is refused with “Policy Rejection- Quota Exceeded” and usually stays in your outbox. DreamHost then blocks the address until an hour has passed without send attempts; repeated violations can lead to a permanent block that only support can lift. At 100 recipients per hour, a list should be verified with a bulk email verifier before you send, and larger mailings belong on an email service.
Which domains use DreamHost email?
DreamHost email runs on your own domain, so the address doesn’t reveal the host; the MX lookup shows which servers receive mail for a domain. Before sending from it, check its SPF record, and check single addresses with is this a real email address.
Sources
Checked on October 10, 2026. Server names, ports and sign-in rules come from these official pages:
Other web hosts
DreamHost email settings: FAQ
What are the DreamHost IMAP settings?
imap.dreamhost.com, port 993, SSL, with the email address and its password. POP is pop.dreamhost.com on port 995.What are the DreamHost SMTP settings?
smtp.dreamhost.com, port 587 with STARTTLS, authentication on with the same login as for incoming mail. DreamHost calls port 25 outdated and doesn’t list port 465.Why does my mail app show a certificate error with DreamHost?
mail. plus your domain. Use imap.dreamhost.com, pop.dreamhost.com and smtp.dreamhost.com instead.How many emails can I send with DreamHost?
Email validation API
Validate DreamHost email addresses before you send
emailvalidation.io checks syntax, MX records and the mailbox over SMTP, flags disposable, role and free addresses and returns a quality score, in one request.
/v1/info Email validation API Read the documentation
100 free validations every month. No credit card required.
GET https://api.emailvalidation.io/v1/info?
{
"email": "support@emailvalidation.io",
"user": "support",
"tag": "",
"domain": "emailvalidation.io",
"format_valid": true,
"mx_found": true,
"smtp_check": true,
"catch_all": null,
"role": true,
"disposable": false,
"free": false,
"score": 0.64,
"state": "deliverable",
"reason": "valid_mailbox",
"did_you_mean": ""
}