> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sendroid.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gmail / Google

> How to generate a Gmail app password and configure IMAP and SMTP

## Generate an app password

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable two-step verification">
    Open [Google Account security](https://myaccount.google.com/security) and turn on **Two-Step Verification** under "How you sign in to Google."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open App passwords">
    On the same page, find [**App passwords**](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords). If you do not see it, confirm 2FA is enabled and your account type supports it (Workspace admins may need to configure this separately).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the password">
    Select an app type (e.g. Mail) and device (e.g. Other with a custom name), then click **Generate**. Copy the **16-character password** (e.g. `abcd efgh ijkl mnop`); spaces can be ignored.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Personal Gmail accounts: go directly to [myaccount.google.com/apppasswords](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords). For Google Workspace, contact your admin if app passwords are disabled.
</Tip>

## IMAP / SMTP server settings

| Protocol             | Server           | Port | Encryption |
| -------------------- | ---------------- | ---- | ---------- |
| **IMAP (incoming)**  | `imap.gmail.com` | 993  | SSL/TLS    |
| **SMTP (outgoing)**  | `smtp.gmail.com` | 465  | SSL/TLS    |
| **SMTP (alternate)** | `smtp.gmail.com` | 587  | STARTTLS   |

* **Username**: Full Gmail address (e.g. `you@gmail.com`)
* **Password**: App password (not your Google account login password)

<Note>
  Enable **IMAP** in Gmail web: **Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP**. Google also offers [OAuth 2.0](https://developers.google.com/gmail/imap/imap-smtp) for developers; OAuth is recommended over app passwords in production.
</Note>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why do I need an app password instead of my regular Gmail password?">
    Google blocks third-party clients from authenticating with your main account password. App passwords are scoped to mail only and revokable independently — generate at [myaccount.google.com/apppasswords](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where do I enable IMAP in Gmail?">
    Gmail web → click the gear icon → **See all settings** → **Forwarding and POP/IMAP** → **Enable IMAP** → Save. Without this, even a correct app password will fail to connect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does this work with Google Workspace?">
    Yes if your admin has IMAP and app passwords enabled. Some orgs disable both in the Admin Console (Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → End User Access). Check with your IT admin if connections fail.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

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