Access to the Alice Zimbra webmail still relies on the infrastructure maintained by Free after the acquisition of Alice ADSL. In 2026, the interfaces zimbra.aliceadsl.fr and zimbra.free.fr remain operational, with no official shutdown schedule communicated by Free. However, the correct configuration of server settings and the choice of the right protocol are crucial for reliable access, especially for users juggling between webmail and desktop clients.
Alice IMAP and SMTP Servers: Switch to Free Domains Now
Free now recommends using its own servers rather than those historically linked to the aliceadsl.fr domain. The aliceadsl.fr domain is potentially set to disappear in the long term according to documented directions in 2026. Anticipating this switch avoids a sudden cut-off on the day the DNS entries are removed.
We recommend logging into Alice webmail Zimbra by prioritizing the following settings in any email client:
- Incoming IMAP Server: imap.free.fr, port 993, SSL/TLS encryption. This port/encryption combination ensures that the session is authenticated and that messages are transmitted securely between the server and your device.
- Outgoing SMTP Server: smtp.free.fr, port 587, STARTTLS encryption. Port 587 with STARTTLS remains the standard for authenticated sending, unlike port 25, which is often blocked by ISPs.
- The old settings (imap.aliceadsl.fr, smtp.aliceadsl.fr) still work, but they point to the same infrastructure. If the DNS aliases are removed on Free’s side, only the free.fr domains will remain resolved.
If your client displays a certificate error after the switch, check that the “Server Name” field matches the free.fr domain: the TLS certificate is issued for this domain, not for aliceadsl.fr.
Logging into Zimbra Webmail: URL, Credentials, and Common Pitfalls
The direct access URL remains zimbra.aliceadsl.fr. A redirection to zimbra.free.fr may occur depending on the time period. The expected identifier is the full address ([email protected] or [email protected]), not the Free login or a partial alias.
Authentication Error on the Zimbra Page
The password for Zimbra webmail is that of the Alice mail account, not that of the Free subscriber area. After the acquisition, the two passwords may have diverged if you changed one without the other. Resetting it can be done through the Free management console (subscriber portal), under “My Emails,” then changing the password associated with the @aliceadsl.fr address.
A second common pitfall: the browser’s autofill feature injecting an old password. Clear the saved credentials for the zimbra.aliceadsl.fr domain before attempting to log in again.
Session Expiring or Blank Page
Zimbra uses session cookies with a limited lifespan. If your browser blocks third-party cookies or if an ad blocker intercepts the XHR requests from the interface, the page may remain blank after authentication. We frequently observe this behavior with uBlock Origin when the filtering lists are too aggressive. Whitelist zimbra.aliceadsl.fr and zimbra.free.fr.
Setting Up Alice Zimbra on Mobile: IMAP vs POP3
The IMAP protocol synchronizes folders across all devices, whereas POP3 downloads messages and deletes them from the server by default. For multi-device use (smartphone, tablet, computer), IMAP is the only coherent choice.
On Android (Gmail app or third-party client) and on iOS (native Mail), the procedure remains the same:
- Account type: IMAP. Incoming server: imap.free.fr, port 993, SSL/TLS. Username: full address @aliceadsl.fr.
- Outgoing server: smtp.free.fr, port 587, STARTTLS. Authentication required with the same credentials as the incoming server.
- On iOS, disable the “Automatically detect settings” option, which sometimes attempts to resolve the MX of the aliceadsl.fr domain and fails with a generic error message.
- If the app refuses the connection despite correct settings, check that IMAP access is enabled in the Free console. By default, it is, but a previous action may have disabled it.
Longevity of @aliceadsl.fr Addresses and Migration Strategy
Free has not communicated any closure date for the @aliceadsl.fr and @alicepro.fr addresses. The service is operational, the servers are responding, and nothing indicates an imminent shutdown. However, the lack of official communication does not guarantee indefinite maintenance.
The safest strategy is to keep the Alice address active while gradually redirecting contacts to a permanent address (personal domain, independent provider from the ISP). Zimbra allows you to set up automatic forwarding from the account settings, under the “Mail” tab and then “Forwarding.”
Exporting Contacts and Messages Before a Possible Shutdown
Zimbra offers native export of contacts in CSV or VCF format from the “Address Book” tab. For messages, an IMAP client like Thunderbird remains the most reliable method: connect it to the account, then drag the folders to local storage. The imapsync tool, documented for migrations between servers, also works with aliceadsl.fr accounts as the source.
Keeping a local copy of your archives takes only a few minutes and provides the only real protection against a closure announced with short notice. The Zimbra webmail does not offer a one-click global export function for messages, hence the importance of using a desktop client.
