How to Access a Gmail Account With any Email Client via POP

Get your Gmail messages in another email program

While it's possible to set up mail forwarding in Gmail, an easier way to get all of your messages in one inbox is to connect your Gmail account to your preferred email client via POP access. That way, you can enjoy the editing power of your desktop email client while retaining the archiving and search proficiency of Gmail's web interface.

Instructions in this article apply to the standard web version of Gmail. All steps are the same for all browsers.

How POP Access to Gmail Works

You can access your Gmail account directly via POP using any email client. Mail downloaded via POP can either be archived in Gmail, remain unread, or be trashed.

If you send a message through Gmail's SMTP server from the email program of your choice, a copy is automatically placed and archived in Gmail's Sent Mail folder; you do not have to add yourself as a Bcc: recipient.

Alternatively, you can connect to Gmail via IMAP, which gives you to access archived mail as well as your Gmail labels in a different email client.

How to Enable POP Access to Gmail

To enable POP access to your Gmail account with any email client:

  1. Select the gear in the upper-right corner of Gmail and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

    Gmail inbox with Settings Gear highlighted
  2. Select See all settings.

    Gmail settings with "See all settings" highlighted
  3. Select the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

    Gmail settings with "Forwarding and Imap" highlighted
  4. Make sure Enable POP for all mail or Enable POP only for mail that arrives from now on is selected.

    Gmail settings with Enable POP options highlighted
  5. Next to When messages are accessed with POP, select what you want to happen to mail after it gets downloaded

    Gmail settings with mail options highlighted
  6. Scroll to the bottom and select Save Changes.

    For some email clients, you may also need to allow access for less secure apps in your Gmail account.

    Gmail IMAP settings with Save Changes highlighted

How to Set up Your Email Client for Gmail POP Access

The steps for setting up Gmail POP access differ depending on your email client. The following email programs provide streamlined integration with Gmail via POP:

Gmail POP Access for Other Email Clients

If your email program is not listed above, you may still be able to connect to Gmail using these settings:

You may need to go to an Advanced Settings or More Settings screen to enter the required information.

  • Gmail POP server address: pop.gmail.com
  • Gmail POP username: Your Gmail address (e.g. example@gmail.com)
  • Gmail POP password: Your Gmail password
  • Gmail POP port: 995
  • Gmail POP SSL required: yes
  • SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com
  • Gmail SMTP port (TLS): 587
  • Gmail SMTP port (SSL): 465
  • Require SSL/STARTTLS: Yes
  • Require SMTP authentication: Yes

Precede your Gmail address with recent: to get the latest messages even if they have been downloaded elsewhere.

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