# Sent emails missing from the Sent folder

> Why emails you send from your phone, Outlook or another app don't appear in webmail's Sent folder, and how to fix it.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/guides/sent-emails-missing-from-sent-folder/

You send an email from your phone or computer, but it doesn't appear in the **Sent** folder in webmail or on your other devices. The email was still delivered. The problem is where your email app saves its copy.

## Why it happens

When you send an email, your app sends it through the **SMTP** server and then saves a copy in a Sent folder. The copy only syncs across your devices if the app saves it in the **Sent folder on the server** using **IMAP**. It goes missing when:

- The account is set up with **POP** instead of IMAP. POP keeps everything on that one device.
- The app saves the copy in a **local** folder, or in a different folder such as **Sent Items** or **Sent Messages**, instead of the server's **Sent** folder.
- Saving a copy of sent messages is turned off in the app.

## Check whether you're using IMAP

In your app's account settings, look at the **incoming server**. Port `993` means IMAP; port `995` or `110` means POP.

If it's POP, remove the account from the app and add it again as **IMAP**. Messages already downloaded by POP stay on that device. See [Email settings for apps and devices](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/guides/cpanel-email-settings/).

## Point the app to the server's Sent folder

**iPhone and iPad:** **Settings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts** → your account → account name → **Advanced → Mailbox Behaviors → Sent Mailbox**, and choose **Sent** under **On the Server**.

**Mac Mail:** in the sidebar, select the **Sent** folder under your account, then choose **Mailbox → Use This Mailbox For → Sent**.

**Outlook for Windows (classic):** Outlook for IMAP accounts normally uses the server's **Sent** folder. If it shows both **Sent** and **Sent Items**, right-click the account and choose **Data File Properties** or **Account Settings → Change → More Settings → Sent Items**, and select **Sent** on the server (option names vary by version).

**Thunderbird:** **≡ → Account Settings → Copies & Folders**. Tick **Place a copy in** and choose the **Sent** folder on your email account.

**Gmail app and Samsung Email (Android):** these save sent mail to the server's Sent folder automatically over IMAP. If they don't, remove the account and add it again using **IMAP**.

## Emails sent by your website

Emails sent by your website or a contact form (through PHP or SMTP) are never saved in a Sent folder, because the website doesn't use an email app. To keep a copy, send a **BCC** to yourself from the form or plugin settings. See [Sending website email with SMTP](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/guides/sending-website-email-with-smtp/).

## Related articles

- [Missing emails](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/guides/missing-emails/)
- [Introduction to email protocols](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/email/email-setup/introduction-to-email-protocols/)