What does the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) allow users to do?

The Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is specifically designed to allow users to retrieve emails directly from a mail server. This protocol enables users to access and manage their email messages stored on the server rather than downloading them to a local device. IMAP supports features like organizing emails into folders, flagging messages, and marking emails as read or unread while keeping everything synchronized across multiple devices.

This capability is particularly advantageous for users who access their emails from various locations or devices, as it allows for seamless email management. Unlike protocols designed for sending emails, such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), IMAP focuses exclusively on retrieving and managing email. This distinction highlights why the ability to retrieve emails directly from the server is the primary function of IMAP.

Other options such as sending email messages, assigning IP addresses, and translating domain names refer to different networking functions and protocols that are not related to IMAP's purpose or functionality.