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Setting Up Gmail and G Suite for SMTP

Configure your Google email account for SMTP access in Unificus with these straightforward steps.

Understanding Gmail vs. G Suite

Gmail is a complimentary Google account using an @gmail.com email address. G Suite operates differently—it has a designated administrator overseeing all connected accounts across the chosen tier (Basic, Business, Enterprise, and more).

Regardless of which you use, you’ll need to enable Less Secure Apps access.

About “Less Secure” Access

Don’t be alarmed by this terminology! This isn’t a statement about Unificus’s security or any other platform. Google simply wants you to recognize that basic username and password authentication for SMTP isn’t the strongest security approach—anyone obtaining your password could theoretically access your account the same way.

Enabling this setting alone might be all you need. If not, proceed with the steps below.

Gmail Account Setup

STEP 1: Navigate to Less Secure Apps and enable access.

STEP 2: You may encounter a prompt requiring an App Password.

For enhanced security, Google asks you to generate an App Password for device-to-email connections. This requires 2-Step Verification to be enabled first.

  1. Visit Google Account and select Security from the left menu.
  1. Locate App Passwords under the Signing into Google section. (Note: 2-Step Verification must be active for this option to appear.)
  1. Select Other from the Select App dropdown and enter a memorable name.
  1. Click Generate. Google will display your new password.
  1. Copy the generated App Password and paste it into Unificus’s Password field.

  1. Complete the remaining fields:

    • Server: smtp.gmail.com
    • Port: 587
    • Connection Encryption: TLS

  2. Click Save SMTP Settings to finalize.

Troubleshooting tip: If issues persist, disable 2-Step Verification, re-enable it, and create a fresh App Password. Google’s newer process occasionally conflicts with previously configured 2-Step Verification.

G Suite Account Setup

STEP 1: Go to Less Secure Apps and attempt to enable access.

STEP 2: If access is restricted, your organization’s security policy prevents individual accounts from enabling this setting.

As the domain administrator, follow these steps:

  1. Sign into Google Account with your G Suite credentials.
  2. Open the admin console: https://admin.google.com
  3. Click Security.
  4. Select Basic settings.
  5. Scroll to Less secure apps.
  6. Click Go to settings for less secure apps.
  7. Choose Allow users to manage their access to less secure apps.

Changes typically take 10 minutes to propagate. Once updated, individual users can visit https://myaccount.google.com/lesssecureapps to enable the feature.

STEP 3: If enabling Less Secure Apps didn’t resolve the issue, try an App Password.

Google requires an App Password for additional security when connecting devices to email. 2-Step Verification must be enabled.

  1. Log into Google Account and click Security in the left sidebar.
  1. Find App Passwords in the Signing into Google section. (2-Step Verification must be active.)
  1. Select Other from the Select App dropdown and enter a descriptive name.
  1. Click Generate. Your new password will appear.
  1. Copy this App Password and paste it into Unificus’s Password field.

  1. Fill in the remaining fields:

    • Server: smtp.gmail.com
    • Port: 587
    • Connection Encryption: TLS

  2. Click Save SMTP Settings to complete setup.

Troubleshooting tip: If problems continue, turn off 2-Step Verification, turn it back on, and generate a new App Password. Google’s implementation can sometimes conflict with existing 2-Step Verification configurations.