The recommended method of using Gmail accounts in Outlook is to use IMAP. However, this only syncs email, not your Gmail calendar and contacts. If you don't have a Google apps account you'll need to use a utility to sync your Gmail calendar and contacts to Outlook. See Google Calendar Sync Utility for sync options to replace the Google Calendar sync utility that was discontinued August 1, 2014.
You need to configure the account settings online to allow IMAP (and/or POP3) at Gmail settings. This needs configured only the first time you use Gmail.
Sync Outlook to Google Calendar, Contacts, Tasks! Two-way sync is enabled by default, or choose one way sync. Set the Auto Sync feature for every 15 minutes or manually sync on your own. Outlook Categories map to Google Groups One user-license is valid on up to 3 PCs. Free Trial Available.Configure the account
If you let Outlook configure your Gmail account, it will set it up as IMAP. If you don't want to use IMAP you'll need to configure the account manually.
To configure Gmail accounts for POP3, use
Incoming mail server: pop.gmail.com
Outgoing server name (SMTP): smtp.gmail.com
Use the following settings for IMAP:
Incoming server name: imap.gmail.com
Outgoing server name (SMTP): smtp.gmail.com
Use your full Gmail address, including @gmail.com or @your_domain.com as the username.
In More Settings, Advanced tab, set the Incoming server to use SSL encryption. This will automatically change the port to 995 for POP3 or port 993 for IMAP. The Outgoing server uses port 587 and TLS encryption.
On the Outgoing Server tab, select My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication and Use the same settings as my incoming mail server.
Note: this screenshot is from Outlook 2013; options on the lower half of the dialog in other versions will vary.
Setting a Sent Items folder
Beginning with Outlook 2007, you can choose a Sent folder for your IMAP accounts. While there is no problem using a folder on the IMAP server with most IMAP accounts, you DO NOT want to save a copy of sent items in the Gmail folders. Saving a copy in the Gmail folders will result in two copies of Sent Messages. If you use Gmail's SMTP server, Gmail will put a sent copy in the [Gmail]/Sent Mail folder automatically.
Either configure Outlook to not save sent copies of the Gmail mail or Save it in your local sent folder. Saving a copy locally will result in two copies of the sent message (one local and one saved by gmail online), but this is necessary if you use BCC and later want to check who a message was sent to.
Outlook 2013
Outlook 2013 removes the ability to choose the Sent folder, instead, it asks the IMAP server which folder it should use. If the server supports XLIST or enhanced-list, or Outlook can match a folder on the server to it's folders by name, sent items will be stored in the Sent folder on the server, otherwise they will be in the local Sent Items folder.
In Outlook 2013, Gmail uses the Sent folder on the server. This folder is automatically subscribed to your IMAP account; expand the [Gmail] folder to find the Sent folder.
Messages sent through the Gmail account will sync down to Outlook on the next sync, or when you open the Sent folder.
Setting a Deleted Items folder
Outlook 2010 introduced the ability to save Deleted items on the IMAP server. As with sent items, this works fine for most account types but has unintended consequences with Gmail accounts.
The problem is with how Gmail manages email, using Labels instead of folders. Labels are converted to folders for IMAP access. Deleting a message removes all labels from the message, leaving the message in the [Gmail]/All Mail folder, which shows all messages, whether or not they are labeled. To delete a message from all folders, you will need to move it to the [Gmail]/Trash folder.
Moving deleted messages to your [Gmail]/Trash folder will delete the message in all folders. Deleting a message from the Trash folder deletes it permanently.
If you use Shift+Delete to permanently delete messages, they will be deleted in Outlook and from the account online, bypassing the Deleted items folder. They cannot be recovered.
Do not configure Outlook to empty deleted items on exit. It can take "forever" for Outlook to close when used with IMAP accounts. Gmail will keep deleted items for 30 days before deleting them permanently.
Subscribe to folders
You can control what folders are visible in your IMAP clients by subscribing or unsubscribing from IMAP folders.
Right click on any folder in your IMAP account and choose IMAP folders... to open the IMAP folders dialog. Click on the Query button to list all folders or type a few letters in the Query field then click Query to display only folders containing those letters.
Folders displayed with a small envelope icon are subscribed, those without the envelope are visible only using your server's web access.
Select a folder and click the Subscribe or Unsubscribe button to change it.
I do not recommend subscribing to the [Gmail]/All Mail folder. This duplicates all messages in the other folders and will double the size of your data file.
Note that the subscribed folder list is stored on the server and will apply to all devices you access using IMAP. You can't subscribe to all folders on your desktop computer and only the Inbox on your tablet or laptop.
Unsubscribe the All Mail folders
Junk Email
Do not enable Outlook's junk mail filter. Gmail's spam filters are generally better than Outlook's junk mail filter and using both can result in confusion.
Tools in the Spotlight
Sync Outlook using Sync2 for Microsoft Outlook without a server. Sync Microsoft Outlook with Google Calendar, iPhone and Android phone. Synchronize Microsoft Outlook between multiple PCs using external USB device, shared network folder of FTP. Share Outlook Calendar with Google Calendars. Sync Outlook Calendar, Contacts and Tasks folders. Sync2 can synchronize Outlook when it is closed, so when you open Outlook on other devices your calendar events, tasks and contacts will be up to date. | |
Do you need a solution to sync Outlook and Gmail Calendar and Contacts when Gmail ends ActiveSync? CompanionLink keeps Microsoft Outlook and your Google account synchronized. Make changes in Outlook and those will update your Google account. And vice versa. Set the auto-sync feature to automate the entire process. CompanionLink works with any Google, Gmail, or Google Apps account. | |
Automatically synchronize your Outlook calendar and contacts with Google or iCloud. Access Outlook calendar and contacts on your Android phone or iPhone/iPad. |
Tools
The WebDAV Collaborator is a powerful plug-in for synchronizing your CalDAV calendar and/or CardDAV contact data to Outlook. Works with Gmail calendar, Yahoo, Zimbra, Zarafa, Atmail, and more. Outlook WebDAV Collaborator is compatible with Office 2013. Outlook 2003-2010 32/64 bit support. | |
This utility synchronizes Outlook calendar entries to a designated Google calendar. It allows user to choose Outlook Profile, Mailbox and Calendar. It deletes old entries from Google calendar and updates new appointments. User can Setup Sync Frequency as Hourly, Daily, or Weekly. Uses .Net framework 4.5. Outlook 2007 and above are supported. | |
Software to sync Outlook Calendar appointments with Google Calendar events. Allows you to sync one-way with either Outlook or Google as master as well as 2way sync by last changed appointments/events. Option to schedule a sync at regular intervals. | |
CompanionLink for Mac keeps Outlook for Mac contacts, calendars, tasks, and categories synchronized with either a Google account, smartphone, or tablet. You can choose your destination in the Settings menu of the software. Two-way direct sync. | |
Contacts Sync - Synchronize Outlook Contacts with Gmail - Freeware and Pro version. 2way contacts sync, sync Outlook Categories, pictures, notes, sync by last changed contact, skip Outlook Category, sync Outlook Contacts to 2 Gmail accounts, Preview Sync with option to download entire Outlook/Gmail contact list as single CSV file and more. | |
EVO Collaborator for Outlook is a CardDAV and CalDAV add-in supporting 32- and 64-bit Outlook 2007 to 2013. Sync Outlook address books with CardDAV servers and calendars and tasks with CalDAV servers. Works with SabreDAV-based WebDAV servers, iCloud and Yahoo and AOL (in read only mode). Map Outlook's default address book, calendar or task within a CardDAV/CalDAV profile. Download EVO Collaborator for Outlook | |
GO Contact Sync Mod synchronizes your Microsoft Outlook contacts with your Google Mail address book, including pictures, categories and notes. Since version 3.5.6 it also syncs your Outlook Notes on demand to Google Drive. Since version 3.7.0 it also syncs your Outlook Calendar Appointments on demand to Google Calendar. This Mod fork adds many enhancements and bug fixes to the obviously dead project 'Go Contact Sync'. | |
gSyncit is an Outlook add-in that allows for two-way synchronization between Google and Outlook calendars, contacts, notes, and tasks with your Google account. In addition, gSyncit also supports synchronization between Outlook and Toodledo, Pocket Informant Online, Evernote, Dropbox, Simplenote and Nozbe. Version 3.6 and higher support Windows 8 and Outlook 2013. Supports Outlook 2010 and 2013 64-bit. | |
IQTELL is number one solution for GTD. Sync Email, Calendars, Contacts & Evernote to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. IQTELL connects to and syncs with any and all email providers, including: Gmail, Yahoo, Exchange, Office 365, AOL, iCloud, cPanel, Hotmail, Outlook.com; as well as any other providers using either IMAP or POP3 Free trial. | |
Sync Google calendars and contacts with Outlook. Requires yearly subscription. | |
Outlook Google Calendar Sync is completely free and syncs between any Outlook calendar and a Google calendar of your choice - either in a single direction or two-way. Attendees, reminders, free/busy attributes are all synced, events can be merged with existing if necessary, and even words in calendar subject's can be obfuscated if you have security concerns. Syncs can be configured on an automatic schedule, or simply upon request. It does not need to be installed (can just be unzipped) and works behind web proxies. Supports Outlook 2003 right through to Outlook 2016 64-bit! | |
Outlook4Gmail is a free Outlook add-in providing easy contacts synchronization of your Outlook and Gmail accounts and address books.This add-in uses these Outlook and Gmail contact details: Name, Company, Phones, Emails, Addresses, Dates, Persons, Notes, etc. You define the direction of synchronization/update: you can sync or update either the Outlook or the Gmail address book (one-way synchronization) or choose to update both accounts simultaneously (two-way synchronization). Paid version syncs Gmail calendar too. | |
Use SyncMyCal to synchronizes Google Calendar calendaring service and Microsoft Outlook calendars automatically. Sync multiple calendars in Google Calendar calendaring service with single Outlook calendar and vice versa. Free Lite version available. |
More Information
Recommended IMAP client settings (Gmail Help)
Deleting IMAP messages (Gmail Help)
Additional articles on using Gmail with Outlook
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205 Comments on "Configure Gmail Accounts in Outlook"
Diane, I sure hope you can help. Our company uses gmail for work - our email does not end in gmail.com. We have tried using the tutorials online, but haven't had any luck. I am using Office 365. Can you point me in the right direction?
What happens when you try to set the account up? You have two options: set it up as imap account (email only) or use the google sync utility to sync calendar and contacts too. If you are using two-factor authentication, you need to use an app password, not your real password and code you receive.
I try this and it won't work. This is because I use 2FA on my Google email. Any idea how to resolve the issue without disabling the 2FA. Also, if I disabled the allow "Less Secure Apps" in the Gmail settings also won't work. I use Microsoft Outlook 2016 Desktop version.
Are you using the app password? Outlook won't trigger the second screen needed to authenticate so you need to use the app password. (It works - I use 2FA too.)
Just added Gmail to Outlook on my iMac. The inbox and sent folders did not sync up with the various messages in my account. I'm able to send new messages and they appear in "sent", however, the inbox remains empty. In the lower right corner of Outlook is an error message "Not connected to Gmail". What to do? Thanks.
Sorry I missed this earlier. Did you get the problem solved? If sending works, then the log in should be correct... I'm assuming you've used imap with gmail before, so it was enabled (i don't recall if imap support is enabled by default). Check at https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#settings/fwdandpop
Had to put in my email address as xxx@googlemail.com instead of xxx@gmail.com.
Then it worked with the indicated settings.
Hello,
First of all, thanks for the excellent post!
One of our gapps customers is facing an issue as users prefer to use Outlook instead of Gmail and they have configured Outlook to receive gmail through IMAP. However, it has happened several times that Oulook stops receiving e-mails. User has to close Outlook and open it again for the e-mails to arrive. This is impacting users' productivity. They also claim that configuring IMAP in Outlook to receive e-mails from other providers is working fine. Any clues on what needs to be configured for this to work?
Thanks for your help!
Dev
Are they using the default send and receive settings? i would delete the .srs file for the profile as the first step. the default send/receive is 30 min - don't go below 5 - 8 minutes.
Hi Diane!
Thank you so much for all of your answers, they helped me out a lot!
I just synced Outlook 2016 for Mac with my Google Apps account (mail only). Everything works great so far, folders appear great etc., but for some reason I can't send mail from Outlook - I receive a "Connection to the server failed or was dropped" error message.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance!
I am using Outlook 2016 with Gmail. I have my deleted items going to [Gmail]/Trash and my archived mail going to [Gmail]/All Mail. However when I delete it goes to both trash and all mail and when I archive I get duplicates in the All Mail folder. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
You shouldn't use the All Mail folder in Outlook - it should be unsubscribed as it will cause duplicates due to the way gmail does imap. (using 2 labels will also cause duplicates).
That said, gmail has a setting that controls how deleted items are handled. look for it in google's options, i think its under the pop/imap settings.
Sorry I missed this earlier. You've probably solved the problems but I'm sure others have the same problem... (Actually, i know from experience that they do. :))
1. Did you log into Gmail and verify the messages weren't in those folders online?
2. The reason we don't recommend syncing all mail is because it creates duplicates of all mail and doubles the size of your mailbox. you'll also have duplicates online.
To clean the mess up after unsubscribing, close outlook, find and delete the data file. Then restart outlook. it will resync with a new pst. Type of paste %localappdata%\microsoft\outlook in the address bar of windows explorer and press enter to open the folder where the data file is.