Email - Fetch vs. Push Differences
Email clients, such as the Mail app on iOS devices, use either Fetch or Push to retrieve new emails from email servers. The primary difference between these two methods lies in the initiation and timing of email retrieval.
Fetch
- Initiated by the client (email app): The email app periodically connects to the email server to check for new emails, downloading them when available.
- Timed-based: Fetch intervals can be set, such as every 15 minutes, 1 hour, or daily, depending on the email client’s settings.
- Slower response time: Fetching emails can take longer since the client needs to actively connect to the server and request new emails.
Push
- Initiated by the server: The email server proactively pushes new emails to the client (email app) as they arrive, without the client needing to actively request them.
- Real-time notification: Push allows for immediate notification of new emails, as the server sends updates directly to the client.
- Faster response time: Push eliminates the need for the client to periodically check the server, reducing the time it takes to receive new emails.
In summary, Fetch is a client-initiated, timed-based approach, while Push is a server-initiated, real-time notification method. The choice between Fetch and Push depends on individual preferences and email usage habits. Some users may prefer the immediate notifications of Push, while others may prefer the more controlled, batched approach of Fetch.