Microsoft Exchange FAQ

Common questions about Microsoft Exchange integration with Missive.

chevron-rightWhat's the difference between Exchange and Office 365?hashtag

Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) is Microsoft's cloud-based email service with OAuth authentication. It's the simpler option with more features like contact sync and calendar.

Microsoft Exchange in Missive refers to connecting via IMAP to on-premises Exchange servers or hosted Exchange that doesn't support OAuth. Use this when Office 365 OAuth isn't available.

chevron-rightWhy doesn't Missive support the Exchange protocol directly?hashtag

Exchange is a proprietary protocol that requires licensing from Microsoft. Missive uses IMAP instead, which most Exchange servers support and provides the same email sync functionality.

chevron-rightHow do I know if my Exchange server supports IMAP?hashtag

Ask your IT administrator. Most modern Exchange deployments have IMAP enabled. They can provide the correct hostname, ports, and encryption settings.

chevron-rightWhich option should I choose for my company's Exchange?hashtag
  • Office 365/Outlook.com accounts: Use the Office 365 connection

  • On-premises Exchange server: Use Microsoft Exchange (IMAP)

  • Hosted Exchange (not Microsoft 365): Use Microsoft Exchange (IMAP)

chevron-rightCan I sync contacts and calendar from Exchange IMAP?hashtag

No. Contact and calendar sync require OAuth integration, which is only available through the Office 365 / Outlook connection.

chevron-rightWhat port and encryption should I use?hashtag

Common configurations:

IMAP:

  • Port 993 with SSL/TLS (most common)

  • Port 143 with STARTTLS

SMTP:

  • Port 587 with STARTTLS (most common)

  • Port 465 with SSL/TLS

chevron-rightMy username format isn't workinghashtag

Some Exchange servers require specific username formats:

  • Email address: user@company.com

  • Domain format: DOMAIN\username

  • UPN format: user@domain.local

Check with your IT team for the correct format.

chevron-rightCan I use Exchange with shared mailboxes?hashtag

Shared mailbox access via IMAP depends on your Exchange server configuration. Some setups allow it, others don't. For reliable shared mailbox support, use Office 365 / Outlook with OAuth.

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