Which email protocol downloads emails to a local device and deletes them from the server?

The correct choice is based on the specific behavior of Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) in relation to email management. POP3 is designed to download emails from a mail server to a local device, such as a computer or mobile device. Once the emails are downloaded, POP3 typically deletes them from the server, which means that after the initial download, those emails will no longer be accessible from other devices unless they are kept on the server by specific settings.

This method is beneficial for users who prefer to have their emails stored locally and do not need to sync their messages across multiple devices, which is a limitation of POP3 compared to other protocols. The downloading and deletion process helps in freeing up space on the email server.

In contrast, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) allows users to view their emails without downloading them and keeps emails synchronized across multiple devices, retaining copies on the server. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is primarily used for sending emails rather than retrieving them, and Exchange ActiveSync is designed for real-time synchronization of emails, calendars, and contacts, also retaining emails on the server for access from multiple devices.