Connect Gmail / Google Workspace

Before you start

Open the Add mailbox dialog in AI Emaily. It has three tabs: Google, Outlook, and IMAP / SMTP.

For Gmail and Google Workspace, use the Google tab. It signs you in through Google, so you never type a password into AI Emaily. Google Workspace accounts need their administrator to allow third-party app access, which most already do.

Connect with one click (recommended)

1. 1

   Open the Google tab

   In the Add mailbox dialog, select the Google tab.

2. 2

   Start sign-in

   Select Connect with Google. A Google sign-in window opens.

3. 3

   Sign in to Google

   Choose or enter your Gmail or Google Workspace account and complete sign-in, including any two-factor prompt.

4. 4

   Grant access

   Review the permissions AI Emaily requests and select Continue (or Allow). The window closes and returns you to AI Emaily.

5. 5

   Wait for the first sync

   AI Emaily confirms the connection and begins importing your mail. Your mailbox appears in the sidebar when the first sync starts.

Fallback: connect with an app password (IMAP)

Prefer not to use one-click sign-in, or on a Google Workspace account where an admin has blocked third-party OAuth apps? You can still connect over IMAP with a 16-character Google app password. App passwords require 2-Step Verification to be turned on.

First create the app password and enable IMAP, then add it to AI Emaily on the IMAP tab.

1. 1

   Turn on 2-Step Verification

   Go to your Google Account security settings and enable 2-Step Verification. App passwords are only available once it is on.

2. 2

   Open the app passwords page

   Visit myaccount.google.com/apppasswords and sign in if asked.

3. 3

   Generate a password

   Create a new app password and give it a name such as AI Emaily. Google shows a 16-character password.

4. 4

   Copy the password

   Copy the 16-character value. You will paste it into AI Emaily next. You will not be able to see it again after you close the page.

5. 5

   Enable IMAP in Gmail

   In Gmail, go to Settings, then Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and turn on Enable IMAP. On Google Workspace, an admin must allow IMAP for your account first.

6. 6

   Paste it into the IMAP tab

   In the Add mailbox dialog, select the IMAP tab, enter your full address, and paste the 16-character app password. Confirm the server settings below, then save.

Server settings (IMAP fallback)

Troubleshooting

• One-click sign-in window won't open: allow pop-ups for AI Emaily in your browser, then select Connect with Google again.
• Google Workspace blocks access: your administrator restricts third-party apps. Ask your admin to allow AI Emaily, or use the IMAP app-password fallback above.
• Using the IMAP fallback and authentication failed: you likely pasted your normal login password. Use a 16-character app password instead.
• App password option missing: 2-Step Verification is off. Turn it on in your Google Account security settings, then generate the app password at myaccount.google.com/apppasswords.
• Login works but no mail syncs over IMAP: IMAP is not enabled. In Gmail, go to Settings, then Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and turn on Enable IMAP.
• Connection refused or timed out on IMAP: check the host and port and TLS mode. Use imap.gmail.com on port 993 (SSL) for receiving, and smtp.gmail.com on port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) for sending.