Gmail IMAP, POP and SMTP Server Settings (2026)
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Here are the settings to add Gmail to Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird or any other email app, or to send email from a website, printer or script through Gmail. One thing has changed for everyone: Gmail no longer accepts your normal Google password in other apps. Use the app's Sign in with Google option, or an app password if the app doesn't have one.
Gmail server settings at a glance
| Setting | IMAP (incoming) | POP3 (incoming) | SMTP (outgoing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server | imap.gmail.com | pop.gmail.com | smtp.gmail.com |
| Port | 993 | 995 | 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) |
| Encryption | SSL/TLS | SSL/TLS | SSL/TLS on 465, STARTTLS on 587 |
| Authentication required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Username | Your full Gmail address, e.g. [email protected] (or your Workspace address) | ||
| Password | Sign in with Google (OAuth), or a 16-character app password | ||
IMAP or POP: which should you use?
| IMAP | POP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Syncs: mail stays on Gmail's servers | Downloads mail to one device |
| Read/delete on one device shows everywhere | Yes | No |
| Labels and folders | Shown as folders | Inbox only |
| Best for | Almost everyone, especially with several devices | One computer that keeps an offline archive |
Use IMAP unless you have a specific reason not to. IMAP is always on in Gmail; Google removed the "Enable IMAP" switch in January 2025. POP still has to be turned on: Gmail on the web → Settings (gear) → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable POP.
How to sign in: Sign in with Google vs app password
- Sign in with Google (recommended): current versions of Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, the iPhone/iPad Mail app and most Android email apps open a Google sign-in window when you add a Gmail account. Choose "Google" as the account type, sign in, and the server settings are filled in for you.
- App password (only if the app can't do that): turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account, then go to your Google Account → Security → App passwords, create one, and paste the 16-character code into the app's password field. Google says app passwords aren't recommended and are unnecessary in most cases; delete them when you stop using that app.
"Less secure app access" (allowing your normal password) no longer exists, so guides that tell you to switch it on are out of date.
Set up Gmail in popular apps
- Outlook (Windows/Mac/new Outlook): Add account → enter your Gmail address → choose Google sign-in. Only enter settings manually if asked, using the table above.
- Apple Mail / iPhone / iPad: Settings → Apps → Mail → Mail Accounts → Add Account → Google. Don't pick "Other".
- Thunderbird: Account Settings → Add Mail Account; it detects Gmail and uses OAuth2 automatically.
- Android: the Gmail app handles Gmail accounts directly; other apps should offer "Google" as the account type.
Sending email from a website, printer or script
For a contact form, WordPress plugin, scanner or script, use smtp.gmail.com, port 587 with STARTTLS (or 465 with SSL), your full Gmail address as the username and an app password. Keep it to small volumes:
- A personal Gmail account can send roughly 500 emails a day; Google Workspace accounts more (around 2,000). Going over temporarily blocks sending.
- Google Workspace admins can use the SMTP relay service (
smtp-relay.gmail.com) for devices and apps in their organisation. - For newsletters or bulk email, use a dedicated email service (Brevo, Mailgun, Amazon SES and similar) instead of Gmail.
Common Gmail server errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Username and Password not accepted" (535-5.7.8) | Normal Google password used | Use Sign in with Google or an app password |
| Can't create an app password | 2-Step Verification is off, or the account is managed by an organisation that blocks them | Turn on 2-Step Verification; Workspace users ask their admin |
| Connection timed out | Wrong port or firewall/antivirus blocking it | Check port 993/465/587 and SSL settings |
| "Too many simultaneous connections" | Gmail allows up to 15 email clients per account | Remove old devices and apps |
| Some folders don't sync | Very large labels | Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → limit IMAP folders to 10,000 messages |
Changes coming in January 2027
Google is retiring three Gmail features for non-Google email accounts, with removal planned for January 2027 according to Google's help pages:
- "Check mail from other accounts" (POP fetching) in Gmail on the web: pulling mail from another provider's mailbox into Gmail.
- Gmailify for Yahoo, Outlook.com and similar accounts.
- "Send mail as" for addresses not hosted by Google: sending from another address (such as your own domain) through its SMTP server from Gmail.
The Gmail server settings above aren't affected: other apps can still connect to Gmail. If you rely on these features, forward mail from the other account to Gmail instead of fetching it, and send from your other address using its own app or webmail, or move the domain's email to Google Workspace.
FAQ
What is Gmail's incoming mail server?
imap.gmail.com on port 993 with SSL (or pop.gmail.com on port 995 for POP).
What is Gmail's outgoing mail server?
smtp.gmail.com on port 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL), with authentication.
Does Gmail still support POP3?
Yes, for downloading your Gmail into another app. What's ending in 2027 is Gmail fetching mail from other accounts via POP.
Is port 25 supported?
Gmail's SMTP server accepts 25 with STARTTLS, but many internet providers block port 25, so use 587 or 465.