Port110— POP3
POP3 (Post Office Protocol v3) fetches mail over TCP 110. After downloading, whether server copies are deleted depends on the client DELE command and server policy — unlike IMAP (143/993), which is designed to keep copies on the server. POP3 is plaintext; the TLS variant is POP3S on 995.
Registry assignments, software defaults and local listeners are different things. A port number alone does not identify or secure a service.
Configuration and troubleshooting
For fetch failures: match the client port (110 plaintext / 995 TLS) to the server config, then check auth — most providers disabled password auth in favor of app passwords or OAuth. On dovecot servers, run `doveconf -n | grep -A5 protocol` to confirm POP3 is enabled. Gmail and Outlook disable POP3 by default; enable it in settings first.
Important limitations
Plaintext POP3 on 110 transmits credentials unencrypted — use 995 (POP3S) on public networks. POP3 deletes server copies after download by default, so multi-device setups should use IMAP instead.
Read-only checks: run on the server host
Choose the commands for your OS. Check TCP and UDP separately. No result is not a lasting availability guarantee; inspect host and container separately.
Linux
sudo ss -ltnp 'sport = :110'macOS
sudo lsof -nP -iTCP:110 -sTCP:LISTENWindows PowerShell
Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 110 -State ListenSources and review
Sources checked on:
This review covers the explanations and sources on this page, not your device or every community software entry below.
Software Using This Port (4 software)
Community software entries: links are references, not individual verification.
POP3Mail
Post Office Protocol v3Mail
Usage Suggestions
- Before using port 110, please confirm it is not occupied by other services
- If you encounter port conflicts, consider using other ports or stopping the occupying service
Frequently asked questions
What is port 110 used for?
Port 110 sits in the Email & Messaging category. This page lists the registered purpose and the software commonly associated with it; to see what is actually listening on a specific machine, check the process with ss/netstat.
Is port 110 TCP or UDP?
The registered protocol on this page is TCP. The same number behaves independently on each protocol: TCP may be listening while UDP is idle, so check them separately.
How do I check if port 110 is in use?
On Linux: sudo ss -tlnp 'sport = :110' for an exact port match. On macOS: sudo lsof -nP -iTCP:110 -sTCP:LISTEN. On Windows PowerShell: Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 110 -State Listen. A listener counts as confirmed only when you can see the bind address and process name; without root/admin you will not see other users' processes.
Is port 110 secure? Should I open it in my firewall?
A port number has no inherent security — it depends on whether the listening service is correctly configured and whether it needs exposure at all. Keep loopback/internal-only services firewalled; where public access is required, pair it with source restrictions, VPN or authentication. The caution section on this page lists port-specific risks.
Quick Info
- Port
- 110
- Protocol
- TCP
- Categories
- Email & Messaging
- Usage Status
- 4 software in use
Related Ports
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