These instructions use the Gmail app and the Samsung email alternative, which is installed on most Android phones. Button names may vary slightly by phone or Android version.

Before you begin

You'll need the following details.

Step-by-step instructions (Gmail App)

1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Tap your profile picture or account icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Add another account.
4. Select Other.
5. Enter your complete email address, then tap Next.

6. Select Personal (IMAP).

   Be careful not to select POP3. IMAP keeps messages and folders synchronized between the phone and the mail server.

7. Enter your mailbox password, then tap Next.

   If your account uses two-factor authentication, you may need an app-specific password or your provider’s browser-based sign-in process.

8. Complete the incoming server settings:
   • Username: Usually your complete email address
   • Password: Your mailbox or app-specific password
   • Server: Your provider’s IMAP server
   • Port: Commonly 993
   • Security type: Usually SSL/TLS
9. Tap Next. The phone will test the incoming connection.
10. Complete the outgoing server settings:
    • SMTP server: Your provider’s outgoing mail server
    • Port: Commonly 465 for SSL/TLS or 587 for STARTTLS
    • Security type: As specified by your provider
    • Require sign-in: Turn this on
    • Username: Usually your complete email address
    • Password: Your mailbox or app-specific password
11. Tap Next. The phone will test the outgoing connection.
12. Choose your account options, such as:
    • How often mail is checked
    • New-email notifications
    • Attachment downloads
    • Whether messages synchronize automatically
13. Tap Next, enter the name you want recipients to see, and tap Next or Done.

The account should now appear in Gmail. Google’s current official instructions confirm the path Profile → Add another account → Other → Personal (IMAP) for manual setup. Google Gmail Help

Samsung Email alternative

On many Samsung Galaxy phones, you can instead open:

Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts → Add account → Email

And enter the same details as above in relation to the server settings, port numbers, email address and password.

Test the account

Once setup is complete:

1. Click Get Messages and confirm that mail arrives.
2. Send a test message to another address.
3. Reply to that message.
4. Confirm that sent messages appear in the Sent folder.