Have 1 POP3 email account I want to work like IMAP email in icloud. Apple suggested created a new Apple ID just for POP3. Has anyone tried this to see if it works and will delete across multiple devises?

Question

Have 1 POP3 email account I want to work like IMAP email in icloud (keeps my iMac, iPhone, ipad mail in sync). Apple suggested trying creating a new Apple ID just for that POP3 email. Has anyone tried this to see if it works and will delete/update across multiple devises? Would mean keeping up with two Apple ID accounts but only other alternative I know of is paying for monthly service for Microsoft 365.

Answer 1

would I be able to "upload" (not sure how else to say it) my existing folders and subfolders containing all my emails so that they are all available on my new IMAP service, while still being available on my Mac?
Not easily, no. There's no direct transfer option between POP and IMAP, especially across email providers. The best you could do would be to forward all of your emails to your new address, although it's not clear that you need to - dropping your sbcglobal.net account doesn't instantly render all your existing mail void - it'll still be in your Mail client, you can still read it, search it, etc., it just won't be on your provider's server.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a MobileMe account. Would that solve my issue/question above?
MobileMe would be viable, especially if you're interested in synching your various iOS devices. It's not free, of course, unlike Yahoo and Gmail, although you've already discounted them...
I have also toyed with purchasing my own URL, but it's hard to tell from the sites (1and1, Namecheap, etc.) if they come with IMAP email accounts included.
Some registrars offer email hosting bundles with a domain registration. This could be a good way to go. GoDaddy, for example, have a email hosting option for domains you register with them.