The Partage portal of the Strasbourg academy centralizes access to webmail, but the configuration varies depending on the device and network context. Mastering the IMAP settings, the behavior of session tokens, and the subtleties of off-campus authentication helps avoid most of the blocks encountered by staff.
Exact IMAP and SMTP settings for Strasbourg academic messaging
Configuring a third-party client (Thunderbird, Outlook, Mail iOS, Gmail Android) requires entering two distinct servers. An error in port or encryption protocol is enough to block any synchronization.
- The password used is that of the academic messaging, which may differ from the Arena or I-Prof password. The NUMEN only comes into play during the initial account activation.
We always recommend IMAP. The POP protocol retrieves messages locally and can purge the remote inbox, a problematic behavior as soon as multiple devices access the same account.
On Android, the Gmail app integrates these settings via “Add an account” then “Other”. On iOS, the path goes through Settings, Mail, Accounts, then “Other”. In both cases, the SSL security type must be manually enforced, as automatic detection often fails with academic servers.
The authentication for Strasbourg academic messaging details the configuration discrepancies between devices, particularly the management of the session token on mobile browsers.
Webmail access off the academic network: Partage portal and enhanced authentication
On the internal network of an institution, access to webmail via partage.ac-strasbourg.fr occurs without additional verification. The network is identified as trusted.
From an external access point (home, mobile network, public Wi-Fi), the Partage portal may trigger an enhanced OTP-type authentication. This mechanism blocks users who have not previously provided their recovery information.
Setting up recovery information in advance
The procedure involves logging into the Partage portal, opening account settings, and then entering a mobile phone number and a backup email address.
Without this information, resetting the password off the network becomes impossible. This scenario generates a significant portion of requests to the academic IT support.
The session token for webmail has a limited lifespan. On a desktop browser, the session lasts longer than on mobile, where a simple page refresh can require a new authentication. Checking “Stay connected” does not guarantee session persistence on mobile.
Storage quota and message filters of Strasbourg webmail
The storage space of the academic inbox is capped. When the quota is reached, new incoming messages are rejected without notification to the recipient. Training invitations, I-Prof notifications, and administrative emails are affected just like other messages.
Keeping the inbox functional without losing messages
The Partage webmail displays the occupancy rate in the account settings. Three actions can help maintain receiving capacity:
- Purge the “Deleted Items” (or Trash) folder, whose contents still count towards the quota even after apparent deletion of messages.
- Delete large attachments via webmail. Size search filters allow for quickly targeting the heaviest files.
- Create a mail filter to automatically redirect messages from certain academic mailing lists to a dedicated folder, then purge this folder at regular intervals.
The folder structure is based on the IMAP standard. A third-party client that creates local folders instead of IMAP folders makes archived messages invisible from any other device. Ensuring that the client creates remote folders avoids this synchronization break.
Recognizing an institutional email in academic messaging
Official communications (rectorate, DSDEN, I-Prof, DT-Ulysse) arrive in the same inbox as regular messages. When the volume increases, distinguishing an institutional email from a phishing attempt becomes an operational necessity.
Legitimate senders exclusively use domains ending in ac-strasbourg.fr or education.gouv.fr. Any message that redirects to a login form hosted outside these domains should be treated as suspicious. The rectorate and the DSIGE never ask to confirm a password via email.
The webmail filters allow for automatically tagging senders from ac-strasbourg.fr, which facilitates the visual sorting of incoming messages. This feature can be configured in the filter settings of the Partage portal.
The reference documentation remains the user manual published by the DSIGE of the Strasbourg site in July 2024. The guide intended for AESH of Bas-Rhin, published in November 2024, reiterates this same document and confirms its validity for all academic staff.
Academic messaging remains subject to the requirements of the GDPR. Messages containing student data or personal information must remain within the scope of professional messaging, without transfer to a personal inbox.
