Search code examples
datetimeimap

Retrieve IMAP email based on date AND time?


I'm trying to retrieve email using IMAP that's less than a certain number of hours old. I've looked over the specifications, and there is a SINCE method that accepts an RFC date. However, it ignores the time and timezone. Is there another method I can use to retrieve email based on date as well as time? Thanks


Solution

  • RFC 5032 documents the WITHIN extension which introduces the search keyword YOUNGER, which is what you're looking for.

    For example, to search for all emails less than 2 hours old:

    a SEARCH YOUNGER 7200