How to Access a Gmail Account in macOS Mail

Yes, you can use your Gmail in macOS Mail

What to Know

  • For IMAP: Select Mail > Add Account and choose Gmail. Enter your credentials, and select Mail.
  • For POP: Enable POP access in Gmail. Then, select Mail > Add Account > Other Mail Account > Continue. Sign in, then select Mail.

This article describes how to set up your Gmail account within Mail for macOS 10.13 and later.

Set Up for IMAP Access

The first option to use Gmail in macOS mail is IMAP. Below are the steps to set up Gmail with the IMAP protocol.

  1. Go to Mail > Add Account in the Mail menu bar. (If you haven't set up any accounts yet, open Mail.)

    Selection to add an account in Mail.
  2. Select Google > Continue.

    Choosing an email account provider in Mail.
  3. Enter your Gmail address and select Next.

    Prompt to enter in Gmail address in Mail.
  4. Enter your Gmail password and select Next.

    Entering a password for Gmail in Mail.
  5. Select Mail and any additional apps you want to use with this account. Select Done.

    Selecting apps to use in Mail.

Set Up for POP Access

If you prefer to use the POP protocol with Gmail and macOS Mail, you must enable POP access in Gmail first. Google may block the activity as an "insecure" app. In that case, log in to Gmail and unlock less secure apps. Then:

  1. From the Mail menu bar, go to Mail > Add Account.

    Add account option in Mac Mail
  2. Select Other Mail Account > Continue.

    Selecting a new account to add in Mail
  3. Enter your Name, Email Address, and Password. Click Sign In.

    Entering in Gmail account details in Mail.
  4. Choose Mail and then select Done.

    Selecting which Gmail apps to include in Mail.
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