Upcoming Gmail changes
Google is turning off the “allow less secure apps” option at the end of May 2022.
Users with Outlook 2016 (retail version), 2019, 2021, and 365 won't have a problem when Less Secure Apps is disabled. They can connect to Gmail accounts (using IMAP) with Allow less secure apps turned off. Gmail users with older versions of Outlook who want to continue to use Outlook will have two options: upgrade to new version of Office or enable two step verification on their account and use an app password.
At this time, adding a Gmail account to Outlook as POP will require the user to enable two-step verification and use an app password to log in. Newer versions of Outlook will need to use app passwords with POP accounts too.
To enable two-step verification and get an app password, log into your Google account and open the Security settings.
It is highly recommended that you use two step verification even if you are using a supported version of Outlook!
If you are unable to enable two-step verification and upgrading Office is not in the cards, you’ll need to use a different email client or use Gmail.com. (I recommend eM client as a good Outlook replacement.)
Error Messages
Task 'user@gmail.com - Receiving' reported error (0x800CCC92): 'Your email server rejected your login. Verify your username and password for this account in Account Settings. The server responded: -ERR [AUTH] Username and password not accepted."
If you have the account added as POP and receive this error, you need to use an app password to sign in. If you do not have two-step verification enabled, you will need to enable it to create an app password.
Two-Step Verification
Older versions of Outlook can't connect to Gmail servers unless you also enable two-factor authorization then use an app password in Outlook. (The app password is a one-time use password that can be voided if you suspect it is compromised, without affecting your “real” password.)
To check or change your settings, sign in to Gmail then open your Google account settings.
If you enable two-factor authentication, you'll create new app passwords at App passwords. Gmail allows you to revoke individual app passwords, which you can do by clicking the trash can icon to the right of the device name.
In my experience with Gmail, their implementation of two-factor authorization is not annoying at all and retains the authorization. It doesn't request re-authorization often, which makes using an app password fairly painless. If you use public hotspots, you should enable two-factor.
Add an App Password video
Please note: the email address shown in the video is used only for testing and screenshots. I will not reply to email sent to it.
While the YouTube video below was recording using Outlook from Office 365, the steps are basically the same for all versions. I have a recording made using Outlook 2007 here.
More Information
Gmail in Outlook: unable to connect to email
"Less Secure Login Warnings"
Dianne I just log into my emails online, not through Outlook. When I try to log into my account I am getting this message: "We are sorry, but you do not have access to Gmail."
Any suggestions? Thanks
This is happening when you log into gmail.com? Do you have a business account or a gmail consumer account?
You are the cleverest human being on the planet. Just got to work out now how to stop the password box appearing in the middle of my work! Thank you!
Well, I really hope that you can feel my appreciatiton for you, here from Portugal. You make a clear case and solved my nightmare. I had spend a lot of time at Microsoft support forums and nobody thinks as a consumer nor even as trouble-shooters. You nailed it. Really, really appreciated and hope everything best for you.
Hello Diane,
I had this issue and your video helped me solve it. I think my copy of Outlook might be 2007, so pretty old now. Thank-you so much!
When you use IMAP, it is email-only - you need a 3rd party utility to sync calendar & contacts with a Gmail account - companionlink or gsyncit are two of the best.
Hi Diane - I have similar issues to Greg. It seems my settings have been affected by Google's May 31st changes that affect security/login. Coincidentally, my computer crashed 5/17 and it was in data recovery until 6/14. Since I have had my computer back with a newly installed OS, I have not been successful in setting up my Outlook 2019 desktop client again. I have my existing PST file with 6 gmail accounts I funnel in via POP3 (yes, I still have my reasons/preference for POP3). I know I am using the exact same settings that were in place prior to the crash on 5/17 because I keep screen prints of my account settings. So, I am convinced that Google's security change has something to do with why I cannot connect. The only difference is that I previously had my Outlook 2019 installed on Windows 10 and it is now installed on Windows 11, but I don't see how that would affect the mail clients. I get the same issues with login passwords and being unable to connect to the incoming email gmail server. Would this require the 2FA app password generation? I am desperate to get this working. I… Read more »
Are you using two step verification and an app password? That is required with POP access.
Thanks!!! you're a life saver, managed to get Gmail working again on Outlook 365 desktop client. I'm disappointed that Google did not notify Gmail account users who access their accounts via third party apps like Outlook, that they were going to impose stricter security measures which might affect their current access after 31 May. Furthermore, they should have provided possible solutions to maintain access if users are affected, i.e. similar to what you have done. FYI - I use Gmail PoP access, setup 2FA in Google, generated an app password and used it with my email address in Outlook to regain access :)
Hi, thank you for your details... I am still having trouble poping my personal email to outlook 365... have resorted to forwarding emails to my business email account that is popping ok as a temp solution. for my personal gmail account, I had 2 step verification on, but outlook would still give me an error in setting up the account manually with pop settings... any clue on what I am missing?
With Gmail POP accounts, you need to use 2-step and an app password in outlook.
Have you used the account as POp before? You need to enable POP in gmail settings.
Thank you so much. So easy to get Outlook2007 working with Gmail again after viewing your earlier video. Couldn’t use the Google Authenticator app though - I guess Outlook 2007 is just too old!