1. Prepare and connect the mailbox
Enable IMAP in Zoho Mail’s account settings if your organisation permits it. In Pear, choose a mailbox connection and the Zoho preset. Check every server against Zoho’s Server Configuration Details for your account; use Pear’s advanced settings when the defaults differ.
The preset starts with imap.zoho.com:993 using SSL/TLS. Paid custom-domain accounts may use imappro.zoho.com. Zoho documents SMTP on 465 with SSL/TLS or 587 with STARTTLS; use the account-specific host shown by Zoho.
Enter credentials only in Pear’s connection form. If the mailbox option is unavailable, the beta is not enabled for your setup; contact Pear support before changing provider settings.
2. Verify a read before doing more
Once connected, select this exact account in your AI client. Start with message metadata and a known email that contains no sensitive information.
Example requestUsing Pear, list the folders in my Zoho Mail account. Read the subjects and dates of the five newest Inbox messages. Show which account you used. Do not send, move, delete or mark any message.
Compare the account, subjects and dates with Zoho Mail. Ask for the account’s provider status to check available tools, and list its folders if an email is missing.
3. Decide whether you need sending
Leave the optional SMTP host blank if you do not need sending. This does not remove IMAP write permissions; your Pear key and approval policy still govern mailbox changes. If you enable SMTP, check the sender identity and prepare one message for review. Confirm recipients and content through the applicable approval flow. A provider accepting a message is not proof of delivery.
Zoho Mail’s native MCP server uses OAuth and supports free and paid Zoho Mail plans, subject to account permissions and AI-client support. That availability does not establish IMAP eligibility for Pear. Consider Pear when you want Zoho email alongside separately connected iCloud or Microsoft services in a workflow, such as a daily briefing. Zoho can restrict which folders are exposed over IMAP. This route connects mail only; it does not add Zoho CRM, Calendar, Contacts or Tasks to Pear. Pear is optional for using Zoho Mail with MCP.
Troubleshooting
The preset cannot sign in
Compare the host with the account-specific Zoho settings, confirm IMAP is enabled and check whether your organisation permits it. A valid webmail login alone does not prove IMAP access.
Two-factor or SAML sign-in fails
Use the app-specific password required by Zoho for external mail clients. Do not paste an interactive login code into the mailbox-password field.
Some folders are missing
Check Zoho’s IMAP folder selection and archived-email settings. List the folders Pear can see, then compare with Zoho. Enabling a Pear connection does not change Zoho’s folder exposure settings.
Permissions and next steps
Available tools depend on your connection, provider, plan, client and enabled features. The IMAP beta does not add a calendar or address book. Follow your organisation’s policy before connecting a work mailbox.
Zoho Mail official server guidanceProvider guidance checked 24 October 2026. Your provider’s current account settings take precedence over a preset.