Google discontinued “Allow less secure apps” in May 2022, which caused the Winstep Email Checker module to stop working with Gmail accounts using the old username + password method.

However, you can still access a Gmail account using the Email Checker module with a username and password**, but **only if** certain settings are configured correctly. Here's what you need to know as of 2025:


POP3:

Requirements for POP3 Access

1. Enable POP in Gmail Settings

* Go to **Gmail > Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP**
* Under **POP Download**, select:

* “Enable POP for all mail” or
* “Enable POP for mail that arrives from now on”
* Save changes.

2. Enable 2-Step Verification

* You **must** have 2-Step Verification enabled on your Google account to use App Passwords:

* Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/security
* Turn on **2-Step Verification** if it's not already enabled.

3. Create an App Password

* Visit https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
* Select "Email Checker" as the app and your device (or “Other”).
* Google will generate a 16-character password.

4. Use This App Password in the Email Checker module

* Username: your full Gmail address (e.g., `you@gmail.com`)
* Password: the **App Password**, *not* your Google account password!!!

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POP3 Server Settings

Use these settings in the Email Checker:

POP Server: pop.gmail.com
Port: 995
Requires SSL: Yes
Username: Your full Gmail address
Password: **16 character App Password** (not your normal password)

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IMAP:

Requirements for IMAP Access

1. Enable IMAP in Gmail

* Go to **Gmail > Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP**
* Under **IMAP Access**, select “Enable IMAP”
* Save changes.

2. Enable 2-Step Verification

* Visit: https://myaccount.google.com/security
* Turn on **2-Step Verification**

3. Generate an App Password

* Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
* Choose "Email Checker" as the app, and “Other” for the device if needed
* Use the generated 16-character password as your login credential

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IMAP Server Settings

Use these settings in the Email Checker:

IMAP Server:imap.gmail.com
Port:993
Requires SSL: Yes
Username: Your full Gmail address (e.g. `you@gmail.com`)
Password: **16 character App Password** (not your normal password)


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What No Longer Works

* You **cannot** use your regular Gmail password for POP3/IMAP/SMTP access if:

* 2-Step Verification is not enabled
* Less secure app access is disabled (which it is by default since mid-2022)

* Google discontinued “Allow less secure apps” in May 2022.

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