fetchmail

retrieve mail from remote servers

TLDR

Fetch mail from server

$ fetchmail

Fetch from specific server

$ fetchmail [mail.example.com]

Keep messages on server

$ fetchmail -k

Check for mail only

$ fetchmail -c

Verbose output

$ fetchmail -v

Run as daemon

$ fetchmail -d [300]

Use specific config file

$ fetchmail -f [~/.fetchmailrc]

SYNOPSIS

fetchmail [options] [servers...]

fetchmail retrieves mail from remote servers and forwards it to the local mail system. It supports POP3, IMAP, ETRN, and ODMR protocols with SSL/TLS encryption.The tool is configured through ~/.fetchmailrc or command-line options. It can run as a daemon, periodically checking for new mail, and integrates with local MTAs.

PARAMETERS

-c, --check

Check for mail only, don't fetch.

-k, --keep

Keep messages on server.

-a, --all

Fetch all messages (including seen).

-d seconds

Daemon mode with poll interval.

-f file

Use alternate config file.

-u user

Remote username.

-p proto, --proto proto

Protocol (auto, pop3, imap, etrn, odmr).

--ssl

Use implicit SSL/TLS (connect directly over encrypted channel).

--sslproto value

SSL/TLS protocol version and STARTTLS control. Recommended: tls1.2+.

-v, --verbose

Verbose output.

-s, --silent

Suppress progress messages.

-q, --quit

Kill running daemon.

-l maxbytes, --limit maxbytes

Skip messages larger than maxbytes.

-r folder, --folder folder

Retrieve from non-default mail folder (IMAP only).

--idle

Use IMAP IDLE for push notification of new mail.

CONFIGURATION

~/.fetchmailrc

Main configuration file containing server settings, authentication, and delivery options.

CAVEATS

Passwords in config file need protection. SSL verification recommended. Large mailboxes may be slow. Local MTA must accept forwarded mail.

HISTORY

fetchmail was originally written by Carl Harris as popclient in 1993. Eric S. Raymond took over development in 1996, renaming it fetchmail and adding IMAP support. It became a standard tool for pulling mail from remote servers.