No more IMAP/POP/SMTP on free plans even on referrals with NO NOTICE

No more IMAP/POP/SMTP on free plans even on referrals with NO NOTICE

Outraged. Just referred a colleague to use her domain (not posting it publicly here) to Zoho, just as I have other colleagues, clients, friends. Expected the exact same free plan features as I have and as everyone else I ever referred got. 

I was helping her set it up, and after creating and starting the migration following all the DNS MX SPF DKIM changes, went to enable IMAP in the Control Panel. I know from having used Zoho for 5 years that though IMAP access is always included, for some reason it is never defaulted to on, only POP. 

To my surprise, I see that POP and IMAP are both disabled. No problem, I think. I go to enable each one and to my disgust and dismay, discover that "Available exclusively with paid plans" pops up instead. No POP, No IMAP, no SMTP, it turns out that Zoho Free is now only a crummy substandard webmail-only plan. Maybe webmail and your own app, but utterly locked out of any "real email programs". Not what I had, not what most of us had, not what anybody expected they were referring as a good thing. 

NO PRIOR NOTICE. (Yes, that is yelling. I'm quite upset at your sneaking in this degradation of what you offered.) 

Anyone of us Zoho Free users likely expects that when we refer someone new to Zoho to use the same service with which we have been very satisfied, she or he is going to get the same service. 

There was no message there that IMAP and POP are no longer included (and obviously not SMTP either anymore.) Even on the signup plan choice, there's a positive note of "webmail access" but by any sensible expectation, the classic "reasonable person" (as the lawyers love to say in court) expects that means, "Oh that's lovely, they also have webmail, how convenient", not, "Oh no, it is ONLY webmail." 

Please reverse this really bad policy. It is not going to help you get new paying customers, it is just going to block off the inflow of new customers overall. Your free service has sufficient limits, especially on overall storage space, that there are plenty of incentives for upgrading if people discover they really like Zoho and start using you a lot more, including docs and file space. Also, for significantly growing small but many-employees businesses. 

Shutting off "normal email access" (POP, IMAP, SMTP are what is "normal" in the email world) just is going to anger and dismay existing customers enough that you won't get nearly as many referrals anymore. Plus we won't trust that you won't suddenly change the terms of the deal for existing users. I know that I will be warning all my existing referred users, who are at present quite happy with Zoho, to consider getting out from you before you take away what they have.

At minimum, you should have done very obvious notifications, not fine print in misleading ways, for many months, including a proactive message upon referral BY a free-with-IMAP user TO a new user that their referred colleague was going to get a lousy bad plan in comparison to what the referrer had. 

And anybody who got referred without that should immediately get an upgrade, not to the full features of the paid plan, but to the features of the old free plan. 

I feel both cheated by you, and that my professional credibility was damaged by you, due to this inadequately announced degradation of what I referred, thinking it was the "real Zoho" plan. I fully expect you to fix my latest referral's account to have those capabilities on her free plan. (Everybody else's too, I would hope, as there is a whole class of people who probably were damaged by your inadequately disclosed action.) And then to start making a better announcement in advance, a real announcement, really in advance, so that we existing users don't get fooled into referring someone to something that is no longer as good as what we thought it was. 

Please do the right thing. Make it right for recent referrals, defer this change until you have given many months of really OBVIOUS notice. Then it's all fine, then people can make smart decisions about whether to refer you and to what kind of plan to use in the referral. 

      Zoho Campaigns Resources


        • Desk Community Learning Series


        • Digest


        • Functions


        • Meetups


        • Kbase


        • Resources


        • Glossary


        • Desk Marketplace


        • MVP Corner


        • Word of the Day


        • Ask the Experts


          • Sticky Posts

          • Pocket from Mozilla is closing shop. Don’t lose your favorites . Move them to Zoho Mail Bookmarks now! 📥🔖

            The end of Pocket shouldn't mean the end of your important links and content. Easily import them into Zoho Mail's Bookmarks and continue right where you left off. You can bring over your entire Saves, Collections, and tags just the way they are. Bookmarks
          • Zoho Mail POP & IMAP Server Details

            Hello all! We have been receiving a number of requests regarding the errors while configuring or using Zoho Mail account in POP/ IMAP clients. The server details vary based on your account type and the Datacenter in which your account is setup. Ensure
          • Workplace - Zoholics Europe Customer Awards

            Dear Zoho Mail Community! 📣 We're excited to announce that at this year's Zoholics events across Europe, we're holding customer awards for the first time ever! Workplace - Zoholics Europe Customer Awards This is your chance to shout about the amazing
          • Important update on Group Management | Zoho Mail

            Dear Zoho Mail Community, This post is to inform you all of the following updates on the Group Management in Zoho Mail. Group Member Addition: If a group member is added to an organization group in a Zoho Application, the member will be automatically
          • Mastering email etiquette and best practices to follow in Zoho Mail

            Hello Zoho Mail Community, We’re thrilled to invite you all to our upcoming webinar: Mastering email etiquette and best practices to follow in Zoho Mail. Join our live webinar for expert etiquette tips to enhance your professionalism and elevate your

          Zoho CRM Plus Resources

            Zoho Books Resources


              Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                Zoho Projects Resources


                  Zoho Sprints Resources


                    Zoho Orchestly Resources


                      Zoho Creator Resources


                        Zoho WorkDrive Resources



                          Zoho CRM Resources

                          • CRM Community Learning Series

                            CRM Community Learning Series


                          • Tips

                            Tips

                          • Functions

                            Functions

                          • Meetups

                            Meetups

                          • Kbase

                            Kbase

                          • Resources

                            Resources

                          • Digest

                            Digest

                          • CRM Marketplace

                            CRM Marketplace

                          • MVP Corner

                            MVP Corner




                            Zoho Writer Writer

                            Get Started. Write Away!

                            Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                              Zoho CRM コンテンツ




                                ご検討中の方

                                  • Recent Topics

                                  • Delivery Method Field in Sales Order Module

                                    In Books and in Sales orders, the "Delivery Method" field seems to allow for anything to be entered and it seems to store those entries for future use.  When you chose to convert a sales order to a purchase order, the related field is now called "Shipment
                                  • Editing / Removing stages for pipeline

                                    Hello, I'm trying to create a new pipeline. I created a new stage and made an error when entering the probability. How can I edit fields in stages that I created? Can I delete these stages from "Add Stages" list?
                                  • Dynamically Filter User Lookup in CRM Subform

                                    We have a subform called Pricing Calculator in the Zoho CRM Opportunity module and need some assistance. Current Setup: First column: Picklist (Level) Second column: User Lookup field When a Level is selected, we want the User lookup to display only users
                                  • change time zone

                                    can't seem to figure out how to change the time zone of the project
                                  • Bigin iOS app update: Built-in telephony and RingCentral support

                                    Hello everyone! We are excited to introduce Built-In Telephony and RingCentral support in the latest iOS version(v1.11.13) of the Bigin mobile app. Once the integration is completed on the Bigin desktop site(bigin.zoho.com), you can choose the Built-In
                                  • Add Image or Update Image API - for Items Module

                                    I am trying to add new Items to Zoho Inventory from Zoho Creator. I achieved this using Zoho Inventory Create Item API, but how to add or update the item image from Zoho Creator to Zoho Inventory Item Module?
                                  • Introducing Booking Pages—a topping for your Calendar Scheduling needs!

                                    Greetings, We're here with a new topping for Bigin! Let's dive into the details. What does this topping do? Scheduling appointments with customers is one of the most common challenges small businesses face on a daily basis, as it often involves frequent
                                  • Debugging `try` blocks : Tip

                                    I find it annoying that if one line inside a `try` block has an error, the Deluge arser points the beginning of the block to the location of the error. BUT, if you temporarily comment out the initial `try {`  The parser goes through the whole block and
                                  • [Product Update] TimeSheets module is now renamed as Time Logs in Zoho Projects.

                                    Dear Zoho Analytics customers, As part of the ongoing enhancements in Zoho Projects, the Timesheets module has been renamed to Time Logs. However, the module name will continue to be displayed as Timesheets in Zoho Analytics until the relevant APIs are
                                  • Use approval workflow comments in record scripts

                                    Greetings, i'm running an approval workflow for my records, during approval/rejection there is a step where comments are entered. i want to add there comments to the record and to use them in various deluge scripts like sending emails and so on.  how
                                  • ZOHO Store

                                    Not able to make a payment We are using Zoho One, and we are from India. The payment currency, which shows for us, is in USD. But the system says we can choose Country/Region India if it shows INR only. Attaching screenshots for more info.
                                  • Support Migration into Aliases in Zoho Mail

                                    Hello Zoho Mail Team, How are you? We are in the process of migrating some of our users from Google Workspace (Gmail and Google Drive) to Zoho. During this process, we noticed that Zoho Mail currently only supports migration into a primary mailbox and
                                  • API for Z Workdrive Flow Make-Integromat ?

                                    We are zoho workdrive fans Also we would like to have an api to work with Zoho Flow or with Make better known by its old name INTEGROMAT Is it planned and when? 3 months -6 months or more?
                                  • Apps Pane no longer visible

                                    I have read all the info and help and nothing works, I do not have a "show apps" anywhere and I can no longer see my Apps pane in the left hand side of mail, please advise how to get this back
                                  • Canvas View - Print

                                    What is the best way to accomplish a print to PDF of the canvas view?
                                  • 5名限定 課題解決型ワークショップイベント Zoho ワークアウト開催のお知らせ(8/21)

                                    ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。Zoho ユーザーコミュニティチームの藤澤です。 8月開催のZoho ワークアウトについてお知らせします。 今回はZoomにてオンライン開催します。 ▷▷参加登録はこちら:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eVOEnBsSQ2uvX4WN5Z5DeQ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Zoho ワークアウトとは? Zoho ユーザー同士で交流しながら、サービスに関する疑問や不明点の解消を目的とした「Zoho
                                  • New in Zoho Forms: Inline OTP Verification

                                    Hello form builders, We are excited to announce the launch of Inline OTP Verification in Zoho Forms, a smarter way to ensure the authenticity of the contact details you collect. Until now, OTP Verification in Zoho Forms worked as a pre-access step: respondents
                                  • Zoho Mail : Associate emails with Meeting records and allow multiple emails to be assocaited at once

                                    Is there a workaround that would allow either of these? I want to associate emails with Meeting records. I also would like to be able to select multiple emails at once for association with a record.
                                  • Create task from email

                                    Is there a way on mobile to create a task from an email? I use this feature a lot and when traveling now I read email on mobile. By the time I get to my office I forget about them since I didn't add it to a task. Is this feature missing on moble?
                                  • Zoho Socials - Unable to view Channels and SmartQ

                                    Hi, The channel Facebook has been added by the admin, however, it is not visible on the User level (employee). Other channels are visible. Also, we have the premium account, and SmartQ is not working. Can anyone help? Regards, Priyanka
                                  • Eliminating Manual Consolidation: Automating Currency Field Sync from Task to Project

                                    Hello Everyone, A Custom function is a user-written set of code to achieve a specific requirement. Set the required conditions needed as when to trigger using the Workflow rules (be it Tasks / Project) and associate the custom function to it. Requirement:
                                  • We want to set the "Converted from Lead" value in Deals using a Workflow or via a Deluge script. How?

                                    For use in Zoho Analytics, we need the field "Converted from Lead" filled in our deal records. This field is empty everywhere, because we do not create deals directly when converting a lead to a contact. We want to do that using the API or a workflow
                                  • Sales Orders: Quoted_Items + items in another subform -> into Ordered_Items ?

                                    hello, When creating Sales Orders, is it posible to inherit/fill the Ordered_Items with all the items from Quoted_Items + all the items from a customized subform with similar fields? Since you can create a sales order in different ways (convert, new -
                                  • How to cancel the GSTR1 pushed to GSTN

                                    How to cancel the GSTR1 Pushed to GSTN, some rectifications to be done in HSN & SAC code
                                  • Zoho Books API — Invalid Operation Type / Scope does not exist

                                    Hello Team, We are unable to use the Zoho Books API from our registered application. We’ve already: Created a client in Zoho API Console using (Admin in Books) Generated the OAuth code and token successfully Used the correct scopes: ZohoBooks.fullaccess,ZohoOauth.userinfo.READ
                                  • Enhancements in Canvas

                                    Dear All, Greetings! Canvas lets you design the record details page to suit your brand or business preferences. We are glad to introduce the following enhancements to uplift your design experience. Reusable Components Style Presets Let's go! Reusable
                                  • Minimum order quantity

                                    Is there a way to enforce a minimum order quantity - ie has to have a minimum of 250?
                                  • 【Zoho CRM】ポータル機能のアップデート:UIとポータルの作成フローの変更

                                    ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、ポータル機能のアップデートをご紹介します。 目次 概要 ユーザーグループの作成フローの変更 ユーザーグループ詳細画面内のタブについて 「タブと権限」タブについて 「設定」タブについて 概要 UIとポータルの作成フローが変更されました。ポータルの新機能に先立ち、UIを一部変更しました。タブやオプションの配置を見直し、機能へよりアクセスしやすくなっています。 また、「ポータルユーザーの種類」は今後、「ユーザーグループ」と呼称され、ページ上のボタンも「ユーザーグループを作成する」に変更されます。
                                  • Tax on Imported goods charged by Shipping Company

                                    Hi Folks, I imported goods from outside Canada, for better understanding I will give an example data. imported goods value: 2000$ The shipping company sent me an invoice containing the following information: Custom duty on imported goods: 400$ Administration
                                  • Prefilled Date fields auto-changed and then locked when using “Edit as new”

                                    If a document out for signature has date fields (not SignedDate fields) that were pre-filled before sending, and then you use “Edit as new” to create a new version of the same document, the value of those date fields gets automatically changed to today
                                  • Zoho Webinar via Social Media

                                    Hello, is it possible to stream a Zoho Webinar via Social Media like Linkedin or Facebook?
                                  • Add Hebrew & RTL Support to Feedback Widget

                                    Hello Zoho Desk Team, How are you? We are using Zoho Desk and would like to utilize the Feedback Widget. While Zoho Desk itself supports Hebrew and RTL, the Feedback Widget unfortunately does not. We kindly request that Hebrew and full RTL support be
                                  • OAUTH2 isn't working with Power Automate and N8N (Zoho Desk)

                                    Hello, I am trying to set up an OAuth2 connection to the Zoho Desk API, but the authentication flow fails immediately. I am experiencing this issue in two separate platforms: Microsoft Power Automate (using a Custom Connector) and n8n. Instead of being
                                  • Kit Items Breaking Automations - "Provide mapped components for all kit items"

                                    This has been brought up in other threads, but I believe this issue warrants its own topic. Whenever a sales document (Estimate, Sales Order, Invoice) is created or manipulated programmatically, trying to include a Kit as an Item throws this error: "Provide
                                  • Show item Cost value on Item screen

                                    The Item screen shows Accounting Stock and Physical Stock. It would be very helpful if value information could be displayed here as well, for instance Cost Price. Currently, to find the Cost Price (as used for inventory valuations) from inside the item
                                  • Mark shipment as delivered via api

                                    Hellloooo again Zoho guys !! More help required if you would be so kind, pleeeezz..... var options =        {         'method' : 'post',         'contentType' : 'application/json',         'muteHttpExceptions' : true       }; var myPackNo  = encodeURIComponent('###################');
                                  • Setting Alternative units for an item.

                                    Hello Team, How to create alternate units for an item. We are placing orders for stocks in boxes. One box contain 24 items. At the time of selling we have two categories of buyers wholesalers and retailers. So the sales will be in PCS and in boxes also.
                                  • Zoho Inventory search when adding items to SO/PO, etc.

                                    I do not see that Zoho Inventory searches within the item name for an item lookup. We have many products with variants. So when I search for a product, say a lighting system, and it comes in different sizes and colors, I can only get those products where
                                  • Item Group Attributes

                                    Hello, I would like to see more attributes under grouped items. We sell car parts, there are several suppliers for the same part but under different brands. We want to group them together but the attributes under groups are lacking. For example, the products
                                  • Remove HTML Format - Deluge

                                    Hello @all if you want to delete the HTML format from the text please follow the script. Data = "Text"; info Data..replaceAll("<(.|\n)*?>" , "").replaceAll("&nbsp;" , " "); Apart from this if you require anything please let me know Thanks & Regards Piyush
                                  • Next Page