Former Alice ADSL subscribers who still use their @alice.fr or @aliceadsl.fr email address are facing a particular situation. Their email service relies on the Zimbra interface, maintained by Free since the acquisition of Alice ADSL. Improving their Internet connection in this context is not limited to changing the box or repositioning the router: the stability of email access also depends on technical parameters that are often overlooked.
Coexistence of Zimbra and Roundcube at Free: what changes for Alice accounts
Since October 2025, new email addresses created at Free are associated with the Roundcube interface, no longer with Zimbra. Existing Alice accounts remain on Zimbra, but this coexistence of two messaging systems on the same infrastructure raises maintenance questions.
Related reading : Discover how to design a modern and functional home for your family
For users experiencing slowness or recurring disconnections on the Zimbra webmail, creating a recent Free address (under Roundcube) can serve as a backup solution for notifications and sensitive services. The historical Alice account remains active, but it is wise not to rely on it as the sole point of reception for critical communications.
By applying Alice Zimbra’s tips focused on network configuration, one can already reduce a significant portion of the disconnections related to webmail, even before adjusting the browser or email client settings.
Recommended read : Everything You Need to Know About How a String Trimmer Works to Easily Maintain Your Garden
Zimbra security flaw fixed in 2026: direct impact on connection
The version Zimbra 10.1.16, released by Synacor on February 4, 2026, fixes a critical vulnerability referenced as CVE-2025-66376. This flaw, exploited since July 2025, allowed for user interaction-free attacks (known as “zero-click”).
This information is rarely linked to everyday connection issues. However, it has a direct consequence: an outdated Zimbra webmail on the server side can exhibit erratic behavior, sessions that expire for no reason, or pages that fail to load.
Check if your access is up to date
On the user side, there is no “update Zimbra” button. The deployment depends on Free. However, some signs indicate that your instance has been patched:
- The interface no longer asks to reconnect every few minutes without apparent reason
- Attachments open without SSL certificate errors
- The calendar and contacts sync without delay during the first connection of the day
If these symptoms persist, the problem is likely with the server, not your Internet connection. Contacting Free support with the CVE reference mentioned above helps direct the diagnosis.
IMAP protocol on port 993: the setting that stabilizes Alice’s email
The majority of guides recommend the IMAP protocol to synchronize folders across all devices. The detail that makes the difference concerns the port used and the type of encryption.
For an Alice ADSL account configured on an email client (Thunderbird, Outlook, mobile app), the IMAP protocol with SSL on port 993 ensures that the connection to the server remains encrypted and stable. Port 143 (IMAP without SSL) also works, but it exposes credentials in clear text on the local network, which can cause blocks by certain box firewalls.
Server settings to provide
- Incoming server (IMAP): imap.free.fr, port 993, SSL/TLS encryption
- Outgoing server (SMTP): smtp.free.fr, port 465 or 587 with STARTTLS
- Username: the full address in @aliceadsl.fr or @alice.fr
- Authentication: normal password (not OAuth2, Free does not offer it on these historical accounts)
A often overlooked point: POP3 deletes messages from the server after download. Users switching from POP3 to IMAP sometimes find emails they thought were lost, simply because the server kept them in an inaccessible folder in POP.
Integrated Wi-Fi diagnostic in the Freebox: an underutilized tool
Recent Freeboxes include an automatic detection function for Wi-Fi problems and slow devices connected to the network. This feature, accessible from the box’s administration interface (mafreebox.freebox.fr), analyzes interference and signal quality for each connected device.
Before changing email settings or switching browsers, this step helps identify if the connection issue is local. An old device monopolizing the 2.4 GHz bandwidth can slow down the entire home network, including the loading of Zimbra webmail.
ADSL Boost for the last copper subscribers
Freebox subscribers still on ADSL (and not on fiber) can activate a specific setting in their subscriber area to optimize their line synchronization. This setting, sometimes called “error correction mode,” adjusts the balance between speed and stability. Prioritizing stability reduces theoretical speed but eliminates micro-disconnections that disrupt Zimbra sessions.
Feedback on this point varies: some users report a noticeable improvement in webmail reliability after activation, while others notice no perceptible change. The quality of the copper line between the home and the distribution point remains the determining factor.
Connecting to an Alice Zimbra email depends as much on software configuration as on the quality of the local network. Migrating critical communications to a Roundcube address, ensuring that IMAP is indeed on port 993, and using the Freebox Wi-Fi diagnostic cover the three most common causes of disconnection. The rest falls under Free’s server infrastructure, over which the user has no control.