fetchmail
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Description:
Client for fetching mail from POP, IMAP, ETRN or ODMR-capable servers
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 6.6.2@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Networking
Tags: email imap pop3 mail-client networking utility
Install: brew install fetchmail
About:
Fetchmail is a versatile mail-retrieval and forwarding utility that fetches email from remote POP, IMAP, ETRN, and ODMR-capable servers. It can deliver messages to local mailboxes via SMTP or the local MDA, supporting advanced features like IDLE for real-time notifications. Its primary value is enabling reliable mail collection for systems or users without direct, persistent network access.
Key Features:
  • Supports POP3, IMAP, SMTP, ETRN, and ODMR protocols
  • Flexible delivery via SMTP or local Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)
  • Advanced filtering, header manipulation, and antispam capabilities
  • Secure authentication including APOP, SASL, and SSL/TLS
Use Cases:
  • Retrieving mail from multiple external providers to a central mail server
  • Periodic fetching for systems without a persistent internet connection
  • Automating mail collection for scripts or server-side processes
Alternatives:
  • getmail – Python-based alternative with a more modern config format and similar feature set
  • OfflineIMAP – IMAP-only tool focused on bidirectional folder synchronization
License: LGPL-2.1-or-later AND ISC AND BSD-3-Clause AND LicenseRef-Homebrew-public-domain AND (GPL-2.0-or-later WITH openvpn-openssl-exception)
Dependencies: openssl@3
Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, sonoma, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Nov 12, 2025 5:01pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 6f215af8
Oct 28, 2025 7:23pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 39f78bc0
Oct 3, 2025 1:57pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 5368d254
Sep 24, 2025 7:56pm 0 VERSION_BUMP e5972246
Sep 13, 2025 6:28pm 0 VERSION_BUMP b327cc2f
Dec 30, 2024 9:33am 0 VERSION_BUMP 44e83f8c
Nov 13, 2024 12:44am 0 VERSION_BUMP b72078f1
Oct 30, 2024 4:03am 0 VERSION_BUMP 304b45c4
Sep 13, 2024 5:20am 0 VERSION_BUMP 989baae1