What is the Difference Between Fetch and Push?

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The main difference between Fetch and Push lies in how they retrieve new emails on your device. Here's a comparison of the two methods:

  • Fetch: With this method, your device periodically checks for new emails at specified intervals (e.g., every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hourly) and downloads them from the mail server when found. Fetch is generally more battery-friendly as it reduces the load on the server and only checks for new messages when the client asks for them. However, it is older, slower, and less efficient compared to Push.
  • Push: This method relies on a remote server to send a signal to your device when new emails arrive, automatically delivering them to your device in real-time. Push is more efficient and provides faster access to new emails, but it may consume more battery life compared to Fetch. Push is usually supported by newer email protocols like IMAP, while older protocols like POP can only use Fetch.

In summary, Push is generally considered the better choice for faster and more efficient email retrieval, while Fetch is more suitable for conserving battery life and older email clients or servers that do not support Push. The availability of Push or Fetch options may depend on your email service provider, with some providers only offering Fetch as the retrieval method.

Comparative Table: Fetch vs Push

Fetch and Push are two methods used in email clients and messaging services to retrieve and send information. Here is a table outlining the differences between them:

Method Initiation Definition Example
Fetch Client-initiated The client checks the server to see if an email has arrived. If one or more emails are found, they are downloaded to the client's device. You manually check your email account to see if you have received any new emails.
Push Server-initiated Emails are automatically sent from the server to the client's device as soon as they arrive. You receive a notification on your smartphone as soon as a new email arrives.

In summary:

  • Fetch requires you to manually check for new emails, while Push automatically sends new emails to your device as soon as they arrive.